Newsletter 4th Quarter 2015

The Compassionate Friends
V OL 3, 4 TH Q UARTER O CTOBER -D ECEMBER
Southwest Florida Chapter
Supporting Family After a Child,
Chrissy Hutchison & Linda Wallace
Chapter Co– Leaders
Sibling or Grandchild Dies
M ONTHLY M EETINGS
2nd Monday of Each Month
YMCA Naples
5450 YMCA Rd, Naples, FL 34109
7:00-8:30 PM
Our Chapter is preparing for our 28th Candle Lighting. This is a beautiful evening to
honor those who are not with us as we enter this holiday season.
The invitations have been sent both by email and the US Postal Service. If you haven’t
received one go to our website www.tcfswfl.org and you will see the link to it on the
Home page.
Once again St. John the Evangelist, 625 111th Avenue North, Naples, FL 34109 will
host our event. We will begin the evening at 5:30 with a Potluck Dinner, Bring a dish
that your loved one enjoyed. The Candle Lighting Ceremony will begin at 6:45 pm.
We are awaiting your RSVP so we can have a personalized candle, ornament and your
loved one’s picture displayed in our slide show as their name is read and your family
lights their candle. RSVPs must be received by December 1st by mailing in the RSVP
form or emailing the RSVP information to our chapter email [email protected] so we
will have time to prepare.
PAINTING WITH A
TWIST
“Wow what a night! We did it, 17 of
us. We held our first all member
painting party. Thank you to everyone at Painting With A Twist for being so helpful and gentle with us. We
were able to bring our own snacks,
beer and wine. We expressed our
creative sides with some
‘unbelievable’ artistic flare. We were
safe. We were out in the world. We
made those around us know we are
approachable even though we may be a little broken. We laughed so much and we will for sure
be doing this again.”
Chrissy Hutchison
Do you have an activity you would like for us
to
Sunrises of our Chapter’s children are
read at this meeting.
4th Saturday of Each Month
Unity Church of Bonita Springs
28285 Imperial Pkwy,
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
9:00-10:30 AM
Sunsets of our Chapter’s children are read
at this meeting.
We also have 2
“Go Out to Eat Groups”
Girls Night Out is the 1st Tuesday of
each month usually at The Pewter Mug
12300 Tamiami Trail, Naples starting
at 6:00 pm
Guys Night is the 2nd Thursday of the
month at Ruby Tuesdays, 8777 Tamiami
Trail N, Naples @ 6:15 pm
U PCOMING E VENTS
 We will hold our scheduled Saturday meetings
after both Thanksgiving,
Nov 28th and Christmas,
Dec 26th
 Dec 13 Worldwide Candle
Lighting St. John the Evangelist Church, Naples, FL
 Dec 14 & 15 Assembling the
gifts to be delivered
 Dec 17 Delivering Toys from
our Giving Tree to Village Oaks
Elementary School
 Feb 28th, 2016 Chapter
Walk To Remember, Naples , FL
 Be sure to check our website for more information
about upcoming events!
try? Email any ideas to [email protected]
© 2015 The Compassionate Friends Southwest Florida Chapter All rights reserved
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O UR C HILDREN L OVED & R EMEMBERED
SUNRISES
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER-Cont’d
1st - Keala Howard daughter of Robert Howard
2nd - Ernest Robert Ferraro son of Ernie & Beatrice Ferraro
3rd - Tanner Cullen Browning son of Thad Browning
4th - Ashley Erin Kelly daughter of Tom & Sherri Kelly
6th - Kevin Edward Branning son of Mary Ann Branning Johnson
9th - Malissa Balcom daughter of Pamela Balcom
9th - Heidi Schmidt daughter of Dick & Elda Schmidt
9th - Frank Rahilly brother of June Congero
11th - Jason Balcom son of Pamela Balcom
13th - Marc Charles Krantz son of Byron & Joan Krantz
13th - Tyler McKay Longoria son of Shelly Pedersen
15th - Debbie Couture daughter of Julia Turesky
18th - Remmy Bumsted son of Patty & Roy Bumsted
18th - Mike Cummings son of Mary Cummings
18th - Christopher Davis son of Ron & Judy Davis
19th - Jeffrey David Metcalfe son of David & Janet Metcalfe
21st - Disney Lynn Pfeiffer daughter of Donna & John Pfeiffer
22nd - Clint Beatty son of Karen Lutgen Beatty
24th - Melissa Carolyn Heinly daughter of Sharon Matson
25th - Kamyn Jodeci son of Teresa Bright
29th - Jonathan Guffey son of Rebecca Guffey
23rd - Joshua Daniel Schwartz son of Dave Schwartz
25th - Robert Eugene “Gene” Doyle, Jr. son of Robin & Kris
Doyle
27th - Danny Costa son of Nile Castro Costa
NOVEMBER
1st - Dean son of Ozzie & Marcia Santos
2nd - Thomas “Tom” Stephen Lossia son of Angela Lossia
3rd - Joy Elizabeth Barley daughter of Donna Barley
3rd - Phil Santos son of Ozzie & Marcia Santos
5th - Lee Roberts son of Leah Stirrat
5th - Allana Norton daughter of Donald Norton
8th - Charlie Boggio son of Larry & Lucy Boggio
7th - Andrea Felton daughter of Vivian & Bill Belchler
9th - Maximillian Raymond Krumm son of Laura & Terry
Krumm
10th - Greg B. Williams son of Lloyd & Judy Williams
11th - Corey Lee Lattimore son of Jodee Banter, grandson of
Marcia & Bill Martin
12th - Vincent Lee Barbera son of Vincent James Barbera
13th - Barry Alan Belyea son of Sue W. Bernier
13th - Collin Michael Creed son of Terese Walker
16th - Michael Paul Potter son of Art & Carolyn Potter
18th - Priscila Penteado daughter of Joana Penteado
20th - Kalin Marie King daughter of Edie & Tom King
20th - Jonathan Richard Yurewitch son of Margie & John
Yurewitch
22nd - Kira Chandler daughter of Mike & Jamie Chandler
23rd - Rebekah Kosten daughter of Dan & Holly Kosten
23rd - Steven Eric Kurtz brother of Susie Kurtz, son of Marge
Kurtz
23rd - Andrew Carr Howard son of Mary Moran
DECEMBER
1st - Michael Lawrence Weinstein son of Christine &
Matthew Weinstein
5th - Shea Juliet Maurer daughter of DeAnna Testasecca
9th - Daniel T. Giampa son of Joel & Cathy Giampa
9th - Michael Lawlor son of Jean & Larry Lawlor
10th - Jena J. Alstad daughter of Joy & Edward Engstrom
10th - Jennifer Mahar Jenkins daughter of Sharon Mahar
10th - Jennifer Jenkins sister of Melissa Ringer
10th - Jessica Leigh Skelnik daughter of Lisa A. Shanks
11th - Daniella Alexander Pantoja sister of Jennifer Pantoja
12th - Nicholas P. Abounader son of George Abounader &
Joan Freyre
12th - Roy “Bo” Austin Rogers, Jr. son of Kay Howerton
13th - Wesley Longfellow son of John & Sarah Longfellow
14th - Tara Heidi Simenauer Pond daughter of Jackie Simenauer
14th - Kristie Nicole Donlon daughter of Jean Wilson
15th - Linda Petrillo daughter of Connie & John Petrillo
16th - Noah Samuel Grindstaf Costa son of Robin Hurdle
16th - Doug Miller son of Curt & Doreen Miller
18th - Christopher Adam Mitchell son of Kimberly Dawn
Lanier
18th - Richard Waltermire son of Harry & Jane Waltermire
22nd - Adam German son of Nancy German Crosby & Donald
Crosby
22nd - Marc Anthony Jacques son of Alana & James Maloney
22nd - Keith Sexton son of Tim & Ginny Sexton
23rd - Gregg Gian Gensler son of Patti & Bob Gensler
24th - Juliana Alexandra Bery daughter of Yuri & Luessa Bery
24th - Scott Labuzienski son of Joe & Sue Labuzienski
24th - Ronnie Sauce, Jr. son of Ron & Pat Sauce, brother of
Shelly Olsen
27th - Justin Stephen Baker son of Nancy Mendell
30th - Barbara Ellen Conti daughter of Mary Ellen Conti
31st - Eddie Watkins son of Marie Nelson
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O UR C HILDREN R EMEMBERED
SUNSETS
OCTOBER
2nd - Carmen Suzanne Paszek daughter of Denise Paszek
3rd - Tyler A. Thompson son of Robert & Jill Thompson
3rd– Jesse James Watlington son of Alda & Chuck Watlington
8th - Shayne Murray son of Patti Threlkeld
9th - Lynne Faragher daughter of Sheila Faragher
10th - Daniel Rivera Carvajal son of Roger & Beatriz Filipiak
12th - Jena J. Alstad daughter of Joy & Edward Engstrom
12th - Gloria Marzano daughter of Victor & Eleanor Marzano
15th - Tanya Ranee Mitchell daughter of Teresa & Dennis Mitchell
17th - Brandon Garner son of Rod & Barbara Garner
17th - James Guffey son of Rebecca Guffey
17th - Christian J. Santos-Merced son of Linda Merced
25th - Phillip son of Lisa Harle
25th - Caitlyn Landers daughter of Don & Sandy Landers
25th - Joshua Daniel Schwartz son of Dave Schwartz
27th - Reggie Destin son of Marcelle Raff
30th - James L. Duffany son of Marcia & Joe Dehnick
30th - Brianna N. Dwyer daughter of Karen N. Dwyer, Phd.
31st - Richard Earl “Richie” Marquis grandson of Sue W.
Bernier, son of Linda Belyea Spurlock
NOVEMBER
1st - Mark Stephen Cooledge son of Shirley & John Cooledge
5th - Mitchel Michael Hutter son of Susan Hutter
6th - Sean Michael Stewart son of Ron Stewart
8th - Troy Goode son of Sally & Jimmy Jones
9th - Maureen Lynne Blackburn daughter of Lois & Mike
Blackburn
10th - Oliver Axer son of Margarethe Neumann
12th - Tom Scott son of Bob & Judi Scott
12th - Zoran Curic-Krulj son of Silvana & Goran Krulj
14th - Scott Labuzienski son of Joe & Sue Labuzienski
NOVEMBER –Cont’d
25th - Doug Miller son of Curt & Doreen Miller
27th - Matheus Flor son of Marcia & Bill Flor
DECEMBER
3rd - Mindy Marzano daughter of Eleanor & Victor Marzano
7th - Hugo Castro son of Nile Castro Costa
8th - David Valentine Schultz III son of Pam Schultz
9th - Christopher Davis son of Ron & Judy Davis
10th - Heidi Schmidt daughter of Dick & Elda Schmidt
11th - Corey Lee Lattimore son of Jodee Banter, grandson of
Marcia & Bill Martin
11th - Cory Gotti grandson of Is Cloak
12th - Stephanie Lorraine Billings Williams daughter of Sharon
H. Billings
12th - Adrienne R. Hernandez daughter of Caridad & Mario Perez
12th - Adrienne Renee Hernandez daughter of Jeff & Marcy
Sagorac
16th - Daniel Joseph Quinn son of Mary Jo Landers
17th - Isaiah Laguerre son of Shinotte & Andre Laguerre
18th - Tatha Carli daughter of Nancy Lochner
19th - Mellissa Vevalo daughter of Kathy Parker
20th - Christian John DeMarco son of Gus DeMarco
21st - Adam German son of Nancy German Crosby & Donald J.
Crosby
23rd - Ryan Smith son of Jennifer & Curtis Smith
24th - Phillip J. Carulli son of Annette Carulli
24th - Christopher Daly son of John & Naomi Daly
25th - Andy Edds son of Jeannie & Vance Hart
26th - Dell Merryman son of JoAnn Brown
27th - Steven Eric Kurtz son of Marge Kurtz, brother of Susie
Kurtz
28th - Marc Charles Krantz son of Byron & Joan Krantz
30th - Nicole Lorraine Chapman daughter of Janet & Ron
Chapman
30th - Jennifer Mahar Jenkins daughter of Sharon Mahar
30th - Jennifer Jenkins sister of Melissa Ringer
14th - Jeffrey David Metcalfe son of David & Janet Metcalfe
14th - Perry Bracuti son of Norman & Elayne Planer
16th - Jimmy Vanhoy brother of Kathy Coleman, son of Bob &
Louise Vanhoy
17th - Robert Eugene “Gene” Doyle, Jr. son of Robin & Kris
Doyle
19th - Jeffrey Charles Basso son of Joseph & Catherine Madigan
22nd - Michael Danos son of Harry & Kitty Danos
23rd - Noah Costa son of Robin Hurdle
23rd - Michael Lawlor son of Jean & Larry Lawlor
23rd - Shea Juliet Maurer daughter of DeAnna Testasecca
24th - Joy Elizabeth Barley daughter of Donna Barley
24th - Betsy Moran daughter of Patti Moran
If we have made any errors in your child's information we
sincerely apologize or if you would prefer not to have your
loved one’s name listed here please contact us at our email
[email protected] or visit our Website http://tcfswfl.org under “Resource” fill out updated member form so we can honor all of our children
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GET INVOLVED—VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many ways to get involved with our Chapter. We are working together so that “No
One Walks Alone” on this heartbreaking journey. This is a “GROUP” effort and the more that get
involved the more things we can do to help one another. Here are some areas we would welcome
help in:

Website It is all set up. We would like to find someone who would take it over and run it
keeping things updated and fresh.

Coordinator/Greeter for Girls Night Out –The 1st Tuesday of each month. Involves
making the reservation and being at the restaurant first to greet the ladies.

Newsletter Editor/Assembly/Contributors— Would you like to be in charge of this
quarterly publication? We mail out 64 Newsletters. Would you be available to help staple,
fold, apply stamps and labels? How about contributing to the “Parents Corner” or writing an
article or a poem?

Memorial Garden-We have a parent who is willing to contribute 2 benches; we are looking
for someone who would find a location where we could have a place in Southwest Florida to
go and reflect.

Lending Library-We have many books that can be helpful on this grief journey. We need
someone to get this off the ground.

Loving Listener– Responsible for the chapter’s phone. We have someone to take this on in
January but we need a backup person for when the main person is out of town or unable to
return calls. Alicia has set the standard very high and we want to continue this.
If any of the above interest you send us an email at [email protected]
We want to have this spot to address things that are on your minds. A
place to perhaps share something you have found helpful on your
journey, an encouragement for others.
It’s an idea we are trying to implement so we will need your help. This
month we will put in a few holiday thoughts
I had wanted to share a link to a wonderfully put together booklet from
the Amelia Center but I wasn’t able to. Instead I have printed the booklet & will distribute at the upcoming chapter meetings. If you would like
a copy please email us at [email protected] and we will send it to you.
Here is some advice our family has found very helpful :
BUILD FLEXIBILITY-Learn to ‘play it by ear’. There is no concrete
formula for learning to deal with loss. You are the foremost authority
on what is best for you, and your needs may legitimately change from
day to day. Accept the fluctuations that must occur when walking in
unknown territory, and learn to take each moment as it comes.
Exciting News– We are hoping
that in the near future there will
be a monthly meeting in very
North Ft. Myers. If this interests
you please email us at
[email protected] so we may let
the planners know.
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2nd Annual WALK TO REMEMBER
Save the date for this upcoming event! Sunday, February 28, 2016 at North Collier Regional Park, registration starts at 8:30 am and
the walk will begin at 9:00 am. We will be joining together to walk in loving memory of our precious children, grandchildren and
siblings. Last year’s event was a huge success and gave us the funds to operate and reach out this year.
Please look for information at our annual Candle Lighting December 13th, 2015. We would love everyone to attend and show your
support for this wonderful group.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
In 2009, we had an amazing family unexpectedly come into our lives through the unimaginable death of a beloved son and brother.
Over the many years they have been very involved with our chapter and have helped a countless number of families. We feel they do
not know how many lives they have touched.
Bob & Alicia Mobley we love you both so much and thank you for all you have done for our chapter. Over this past year, Alicia has
been our Loving Listener, answering the phone calls none of us thought we would ever have to make. She has given so much of herself and given so freely of her love, understanding and compassion through all of her own heartbreak.
Alicia, we would like to thank you for reaching out and setting such a high standard for our chapter as our Loving Listener for 2015.
We are dedicating the color “purple” for the shirts in our 2016 WALK TO REMEMBER in loving memory of your son Chris and as a
way to say Thank You to you & Bob.
We know your precious son, Christopher Mobley, is so proud of his MOM & DAD
ON THE ROAD…
It all started with a phone call our Loving Listener took in September.The caller was wondering if our Chapter would
be willing to go into the Moorings Park, a retirement community here in Naples and have a meeting with people who
had lost children. Follow up happened and before we knew it 3 couples from our chapter were planning a meeting...
“In October, we held our very FIRST off site meeting at Moorings Park. There was an unexpected turn out of 18 people who participated in our meeting. I think we all learned from each other and even more than we thought there is a
need for our group as well as a need for awareness of our group in the community. Many stories, tears and even laughs
were shared and our chapter picture board was displayed and admired by all who attended. This was an experience I
think we will all remember forever. This is a start, we are currently putting together a “New Assisted Living Outreach
Team.” As this unfolds we will keep everyone informed and anyone who may be interested in participating please contact us at our chapter email [email protected]
Chrissy Hutchison
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The Compassionate Friends Southwest FL Chapter
P.O. Box 112524
Naples, FL 34108
Chapter Phone: 239-690-7801
Chapter E-mail: [email protected]
Join us on MeetUp
www.meetup.compassionatefriends/
HTTP: / / TCFSWFL. ORG
PLEASE
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Our Mission
The mission of The Compassionate Friends: When a
child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain
and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate
Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and
support to every family experiencing the death of a son
or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and
helps others better assist the grieving family.
Note from the Editor: This is YOUR newsletter. We want to make
this more personal. Share our stories, our pain, our successes. If
you have things to share or suggestions please send us an email.
Hugs-Benjamin & Michael’s mom-Linda
GRANDPARENTS
A Tribute to my Sister
Our Chapter has many “Grieving Grandparents” sadly I am
one of them. Our grandchild was miscarried February, 2010.
I’ll never forget my son telling me through his tears that he now
had an understanding of what we had gone through when his
younger brother had died 11 hours after his birth 25 years previous. I think of that child so often and wonder… I have listened to our grandparents share their memories of precious
grandchildren they have held, played with, enjoyed sleepovers
together. How we have all watched their grieving parents, our
precious children live with this unimaginable pain. Our grandparents creed speaks to the two-fold grief we experience.
“Watching our children, feeling powerless to help them and
facing our own broken hearts. We have been robbed of the
special tender touch a grandparent shares with a grandchild &
we have lost a symbol of our immortality.”
As you enter this Holiday Season take care of yourselves.
Honor your grandchild in a way that brings you comfort.
Please know our hearts hurt for you-Hugs!
Linda Wallace SW FL Chapter
I Saw You
I saw you today in the morning dew
As brilliant as a sea of shimmering diamonds
I shared the most amazing sunrise with you today
A million shades of red so random in their perfection
I heard you today in the laugh of my children
An enchanting melody a thousand angels strong
I walked with you today and we talked about everything
. . . and nothing all at once
I saw you today in the changing of the leaves
The colors of your life, the close of one season
And the ushering in of another
I sat beside a stream with you today
The peaceful flow, steady and constant
I saw you today . . . and you were perfect
And rest assured . . . I shall see you again
Avery Smith
N ATIONAL O FFICE
The Compassionate Friends
PO Box 3696 Oak Brook, IL 60522-3696
(877) 969-0010 www.compassionatefriends.org
[email protected]
REGIONAL COORDINATORS
Cindy Baum Miami, FL [email protected]
Shelly Ellis Miami, FL [email protected]
Lori Lee Smith
TCF Ada Area Chapter
Tracy Milne was honored at the National Conference in Dallas this past July.
Andrew’s sister received the “Karen Snepp Outstanding Sibling Award for her
unending work to reach out to all the Surviving Siblings-the “forgotten grievers”
whom we love. Encourage siblings to join the Sounds of siblings closed Facebook
SIBLING REPRESENTATIVE Tracy Milne—Andrew’s Sister
National Board of Directors, Sibling Representative 239-676-9140 [email protected]
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