09/12/07 - NNHS Newsletter - Prayers for Sharron “When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words without heart." ~John Bunyan (28 Nov 1628 - 31 Aug 1688)
Sharron Wanderer Dawes (22 Oct 1943 - 21 Sept 2007) Newport News High School Class of 1961

Dear Friends and Schoolmates, 

   We interrupt our regularly scheduled Newsletters to urgently request your midnight - and continuing - prayers on behalf of    Sharron Wanderer Dawes ('61) of VA:

  From Richard Dawes (NNHS/HHS - '62) of VA - 09/12/07 - " Sharron Wanderer Dawes 61":

Dear Carol,
 

		My wife Sharron Wanderer Dawes (Class of 61) is very ill and I do not expect her to live much longer. She has been fighting the demon CANCER for a long, long time and it is now about to take her. Just this past year she has endured such pain and suffering. In February of 06 she had Radiation to the pelvic area, which was terrible on her. Burns you could not imagine.  August of 06 she had Radiation on her lungs. She then went into the hospital the day after Thanksgiving and did not get home till December 23. During that time she had a large portion of her small bowel removed due to scar tissue and tumor, which was causing a blockage. When they reconnected the small bowel it did not fully take and she developed a Fistula. The doctor had to open the wound up to allow the Gastric juices to escape. While she was in the hospital they were giving her IV nutrition and Potassium, which blew out her veins. The nurses had to re-stick her two and three times a day. I tried over and over again to get them to put in a Port and finally found a surgeon to install it just three days before they released her. (Another long story).

Once I got her home we switched her to TPN nutrition, which I administered through the Port access. The Fistula closed after about seven weeks but re opened and then closed again for almost three months. It opened back up and has continued to this day. I have her hooked up to a vacuum pump and canister system. During that time Sharron started passing large blood clots through the Urethra which was very painful. This past May She was admitted to Riverside and the Urologists went in vacuumed out the clots and cauterized the inside of the Bladder, which gave her much relief. She then went through a regiment of CHEMO. The eighth one in her history of surviving Cancer, she did not tolerate it well. After a few weeks they started her with a different type of Chemo that she could handle. The only problem is that it caused her to start bleeding again and back to Riverside she went for another Bladder surgery. This time they shaved away the tumor that was pushing through the Bladder wall and causing the bleeding. I got her home August 30th and she has been sliding down hill ever since. The Oncologist said that there is nothing more that they can do for her.

I have Home health care coming in take blood and evaluate, but I think it will switch to Hospices very soon. Sharron is such a fighter. She was told in February of 1991, after what was to be a routine Fibroid removal, that she had stage three Ovarian Cancer and to go home and get her affairs in order. After sixteen years with nine surgeries and nine different CHEMOs she is ready to go HOME.

Sharron sends her regards and has greatly enjoyed reading the NNHS 65 newsletters through the years.

Miracles do happen, but at this stage please Pray for a peaceful passing. I been attending to her twenty four hours a day since this past May and she has endured so much.

God Bless
 

   Oh, Dicky, I am so deeply sorry to hear this!  Words are failing me at this late hour, and my tears are keeping me from seeing the page.

   Please give your lovely Sharron our love and thanks, and know that you are both in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers - and will continue to be so.

  From Barbara Fritsche Barnes ('63) of VA - 09/13/07: 

   Yes, ma'am, thanks for that excellent suggestion.  As he had already previously authorized my posting it on the Contact page for the Class of 1962, I think it's certainly appropriate to add it here now:

dawes1@cox.net

   Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Barb.

    From Sepi Dinwiddie Prichard ('56) of NC - 09/13/07 - "Beautiful Sharron":

Dear Carol...

When I woke up this morning I came straight to the computer...which is something I never do.  Seconds after I sat down, the Newsletter flashed on about Sharron Dawes.  God has a reason for EVERYTHING.  WE will pray for Sharron today at Bible study.  Let us ALL put Sharon in GOD'S HANDS now.  If the doctors say there is nothing more they can do, God can do more.  We also need to pray for Dicky, being a caregiver is extremely hard on anyone, but more so on a loved one since ANY care giving for a loved one affects you spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.  It is an exhausting job and requires much love a patience, as well as a stoic determination to do as much as you can and then more for your loved one.  I know because that's what I do.  I do volunteer respite care for Alzheimer's patients and their families.

What an amazing battle they have both fought, a long and hard battle.  I really wish I had known about this sooner, but God is also in charge of time. WE will pray for what is best for the pair of them and now that it is in God's Hands we must let Him do what only He can do.

Sepi a.k.a. "Dimples"

   Thank you so much, Sepi.

  From Butch Ragland ('63) of CO - 09/13/07 - "Prayers for Sharron & You":

Hi Dick,

I remember you and Sharron both and send my regards to each of you.  My wife and I are passing your prayer concerns on to our church in hopes you will be lifted up and comforted during Sharron's illness!  It is a traumatic situation Sharron has endured with such grace; and she can be considered an inspiration to all those whom are facing similar health issues.

God's plan for us is not always understood in our lifetime; but please believe there are many friends and acquaintances who are with you both during these days and hours.

I pray the Lord will give you both strength and endurance; and if there is a miracle to be had, it will be for Sharron.

Please do not bother answering this email.  You have enough to be concerned with.  Take care of Sharron and stay by her side.

God Bless You Both!

Butch Ragland - NNHS 63
Colorado Springs, CO

   Thank you so much, Butch.

  From Carol Moell Marcella ('56) and    Mickey ('54) Marcella of VA - 09/13/07:

Thank you, Carol.  We will surely keep Sharron Dawes in our prayers.

She sure has had quite a fight. 

Love, Carol and Mickey Marcella

   Thank you, Carol and Mickey.

  From Cheryl Mays Howard ('66) of VA - 09/13/07 - "Prayers":

   Thank you so much, Cheryl.

     From John London (Warwick HS - '57) of VA - 09/13/07 - "Sharron Dawes":

Dear Carol -

I am so sadly touched by the email from Richard Dawes about his beloved Sharron. Rarely does anything bring me to tears as that did. I am so sad for the suffering that they both have both been through.

I lost my sister, Brenda, to ovarian cancer a few years ago and I am still suffering the loss. She, like Sharron, endured so much. She was fifty-two.

Please include this on your page. I would like for Sharron and Richard to know of my deep concern and continuing prayers for the best possible outcome, whatever that may be, and for 'The peace that passes all understanding' to prevail in their lives.

John London (WHS-57)

Please ladies; have regular checkups.

   Thank you so very much, John.

From Barbara Dye-Hensley ('69) of VA - 09/13/07 - "Sharron Wanderer Dawes":

Dear Carol,

My prayer for Richard and Sharron today would be that they are enveloped in God's love.  That they sense it in every kind word spoken to them, in every kind gesture directed to them.  That they would be so aware of His peace and love that they are lifted from the realm of sickness and suffering to a place where they can experience the love and mercy of God in a way they have never before.

There is a place in God that is so sweet, so peaceful, so full of love that our words cannot describe it.  I pray they would come to know this sweet place in God.

Barbara Hensley

   Thank you so much, Barbara.

  From Jay Styles ('68) of VA - 09/14/07 - "Dicky and Sharron Dawes":

   Thanks so very much, Jay.

    From Sepi Dinwiddie Prichard ('56) of NC - 09/14/07 - "Sharron and Bible study":

Hi Carol,

Have you had any updates on Sharron Wanderer Dawes ?  Bible study met yesterday. Some of us met for lunch before, and all eleven of us were at the Bible Study.  After our lesson, we all felt compelled to tell about our Summer.  I was so pleased to  tell  about the NNHS Newsletter finding me, thanks to Johnny Holland (61 - of VA). How nice is was to reconnect with my old friends that I enjoyed immensely in High School, and the new friends I have made during the summer months, the pure joy of us being together for your Birthday, and the laughter we shared that made all of us a little healthier, a little happier, and in some way restored our youth without losing any maturity.  Well, not much, anyway.

We shared prayer requests, which were many, and prayed a blanket prayer with hands joined, I'll say this...the power of Our Lord was so strong it was tangible, and through our joined hands we could feel His power.  His presence overwhelmed all of us as He let us know He heard us and had listened to every word that was spoken as well as those that remained in our hearts... unspoken.  

I shared Sharron and Dicky's love story with them at lunch, how hard Sharon has struggled these many years with Dicky always beside her with her hand in his. Every one stopped eating and the tears begin to appear. One of the ladies said, "Every woman should have a husband like that." We all agreed.

We discussed the parents that have children involved in this seemingly unending War, and were unable to imagine the heartache and worry that must consume most of their thoughts day and night. We have special lists for those unselfishly giving themselves to this dreadful war, that includes the family in it's entirety.  I was asked to remind you that Our Lord has asked us to Praise and Thank Him in ALL things, which is so hard to remember, much less do in times of such emotional stress.  Prayers do more than worry and help relieve our burdens.  I became a Christian so that God could use me in any way He needed too.  It is very humbling and at the same time exciting to realize that He is really using ME, of all people to help when and where I can through this wonderful Newsletter.  Thank you, Jesus, for giving Carol the wonderful job and the capable hands and unselfish desire to carry out the responsibility of handling this Newsletter that has blessed us all. 

Lest I forget, we also prayed for    Norm Covert ('61 - of MD) whose little grandson moved far away only to become very ill soon after. We also prayed for the little boy's Grandmother who immediately drove to his bedside and in my opinion saved the child's life.  God is still in control.

Your friend, "Dimples a.k.a. Sepi

   Oh, WOW - thank you so much, Sepi.

  From Richard Dawes (NNHS/HHS - '62) of VA - 09/21/07, 11:25 AM - " Sharron Wanderer Dawes":

Carol

I wanted you to be one of the first to know that Sharron passed away this morning. Sharron passed peacefully with me holding her hand, after I told her it was Ok for her to go and that I would be Ok.

Our prayers are now for her in heaven.

Richard

   Oh, Richard!  I'm so very sorry!  Thank you for letting me know.

   There is one scripture that I always found more comforting at such times than almost all others:

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

        - I Peter 4: 12-13

    Our thoughts and love and prayers are with you both. 

  From Carol Moell Marcella ('56) and    Mickey ('54) Marcella of VA - 09/21/07:

Thank you, Carol.  She's in a peaceful place now.

Carol and Mickey

   Thank you again, Carol and Mickey.

  From Butch Ragland ('63) of CO - 09/21/07 - "God Bless You! ":

Dicky,

Ethel and I are truly grieved for Sharron's passing; but rejoice that she will now be free of her physical burdens.  She endured much over the years and was fortunate to have you by her side during her best and worst moments.

May the Lord be with you and your family these next few weeks and months as you adjust to Sharron's not being with you; but keep in mind you will see each other again, in a much better place!

God Bless You,
Butch & Ethel Ragland
Colorado Springs, CO

   Thank you again, Butch and Ethel.

   Thank you so much, Evelyn.

From the Daily Press - 09/22/07:

(continued below)

  From Richard Dawes (NNHS/HHS - '62) of VA - 09/22/07 - "Sharron's Obit":

   Thank you so much, Richard. Again, you and your family have my deepest condolences.

From the Daily Press - 09/23/07:

		PROVIDENCE FORGE - Sharron Wanderer Dawes, 63, died at her beloved 'Spring Hill' Home on Sept. 21, 2007, after a 17-year battle with Ovarian Cancer. Born Oct. 22, 1943, to Joseph C. Wanderer and the former Eileen Cawthon, Sharron was a native of Newport News. She graduated from Newport News High School in 1961, where she was very involved in school activities including cheerleading. Sharron went on to study Archeology at William and Mary before receiving her Bachelor's degree from Saint Leo University (Summa cum laude) in 1995 and in 1999 received her Master's degree from Old Dominion University. She enjoyed Genealogy and was a member of: The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, The Jamestowne Society, Daughters of the Confederacy, The Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, and Descendants of Ancient Planters, as well as the New Kent Historical Society.
About 2004
Sharron was a resident of Providence Forge since 1998, and was also a member of Providence Forge Presbyterian Church. Sharron successfully had her home, Spring Hill, registered as a Virginia Landmark and also placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior. Sharron was also an avid Antique collector. Her parents and a son, James Patrick Healy Jr., preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Richard Dawes Jr.; three grandchildren, James, Ryan and Kevin, and their mother, Laura, from Clearwater, Fla.; a son, Frank Wanderer, and his wife, Shannon, and their daughter, Samantha, of Yorktown. The family will receive friends at Vincent Funeral Home, Monday, Sept. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be at Olivet Presbyterian Church, Route 618, Providence Forge, on Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service to be held at 2 p.m. at Providence Forge Presbyterian Church, 9310 Townsend Road, conducted by the Rev. Stephen L. Hodges. A reception will follow at Wallace Manor in Providence Forge. In memory of Sharron, memorial contributions may be made to Providence Forge Presbyterian Church, 9310 Townsend Road, 23140. Arrangements by Vincent Funeral Home, Providence Forge, 804-966-7075. Published in the Daily Press on 9/23/2007. Guest Book (continued from above)

  From Jim Elliot ('61) of AK - 11/03/07:

Carol, just a note of thanks for the exceptional job you're doing of keeping NNHS alive and well.

I was saddened by the recent death of my childhood neighbor, friend, and '61 classmate,   Sharron W. Dawes. I sent her and Richard several e-mail messages before Sharron's passing. Although I do not know      Richard (NNHS/HHS - '62) personally, Sharron could not have asked for or had a more devoted, loving spouse than him.

Again, thank you for all the work you put in on behalf of NNHS alumni.

   Thank you, Jim.

   This information is also posted here:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/SITE-MAP.html

     http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam-all.html 

          http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam61.html

   Y'all take care of each other!  TYPHOONS FOREVER!  We'll Always Have Buckroe!

                          Love to all, Carol 

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NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com

PERSONAL WEB SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat

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Carol Buckley Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408

Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" (sequenced by Bjorn Lengton) midi courtesy of http://www.classicalmidi.co.uk/barber.htm
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 02/10/05
Thanks, Dave!

Angels with Violin clip art courtesy of http://www.newcybertech.com/christmas3_new.html - 12/18/04

Star Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.holidaygraphics.com/christmas/graphics/page8.html - 12/18/04

Marine Corps Seal clip art courtesy of Herbert Hice of MI - one of my Famous Marines who served in the South Pacific during WWII.
Thanks, Herbie!

Air Force Seal clip art courtesy of http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/milsongs.htm - 07/07/06