Ellie Dunlap

With love forever!

Funny how you have remained on my mind. It's your free spirit and your joy that remains to inspire us. I think you would be very sad about how the world has changed, The world could use more of the love you shared.

Oh my, has it really been three years? Ellie my dear friend, I think of you so often, more since you passed than when you were with us. Why I wonder, then it dawns on me, because I know we will not see each other for awhile. I know we'll be together again, and maybe, I hope with all my heart I will be brave enough to tell you how much you meant to me, and much I wished I had told you. I was not that sure of myself in high school, and by the time I had gained the courage, it was really not...

A month has passed since your indomitable, never ending, enduring spirit became free. You were and are "bigger than life" and on March 27th your free spirit could no longer be contained by this world. Dance my dear Ellie, dance!

Our thoughts and prayers go to the family at this time. I had the honor of meeting Ellie at a Scleroderma Support group meeting years ago. Living with this disease, I understand what she endured. May the family find comfort in the memories that remain. From the Scleroderma Foundation/ Oregon Chapter, our condolences
Donna Stone, Support Group Facilitator

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Dunlap family. May she rest in peace in the loving arms of our God. Maria Rivelli - Scleroderma Foundation-Oregon Chapter

As a physical therapist I have seen over 10,000 different patients in 40 years, but a few stand out and will always stay with me. Ellie is one of those. She was special. We shared the same birthday on Nov. 4th, so always had a close connection. I have known her for a decade. Her very last words to me a week before were, "Pete, you are like a brother to me." That meant a lot to me and I will never forget her words. She will be greatly missed by all of us here. Peace be with you.

No one and no advance knowledge can prepare us forloss;it comes like a swift wind. I am comforted by the knowledge that she isn't really lost to us she is simply in a different part of God's world. The good news is that we don't have to hold onto our grief to hold onto our memories of Ellie.

If tears could build a stairway
and thoughts a memory lane
I'd walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again
No farewell words were spoken
No time to say goodbye
You...

I'm very sorry to learn of Ellie's passing. She was sweet, smart, funny and beautiful back in high school, and it is clear she continued to be in later life. My condolences to Bruce and Ellie's family.