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BORN
1942
DIED
2008
Donna DeBlase Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Donna DeBlase
Kim Howes
June 25, 2009
Mom, it's time to bring this to a close and you closer to home. This outlet isn't needed anymore. I know, you are right here with me. As much as I want to share you with everyone, I'm bringing you closer. Here within my heart with me, every day, every hour, every moment.
You touched so many hearts during your time here. You really were an angel and you'll never be forgotten.
You always did good Mom. I know you've already earned your wings. There's a lot that went unsaid, but we knew one another and didn't have to say a word. I'm so much like you. So we both know. I so miss you and the emptiness is overwhelming, but I'm working on it. We have our precious little cherub to help do that. I know you are watching over us all. We all miss you and will never, ever forget.
I will live on and you through me. You taught me so much and I am so grateful for those life's lessons, our time and being your daughter.
I can only pray there was a good reason you left so early. Boy does it hurt losing you!
I miss you so very much and I will always love you, Mom, forever and ever. I know how much you loved all of us. As deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.
Goodnight, sleep tight.
We will....Live like there's no tomorrow, add Laughter to all we do and Love with all our heart...... In my heart forever Mom, Love Kim xoxo
Kim Howes
May 22, 2009
Good morning Mom!
Oh how I wish you were here. It's been a year. One hell of a difficult one.
I think of you every day. How I wish you were here to share in all of this.
The baby is beautiful. So healthy and a chub. Today we go down south to watch Brooke graduate college! How I wish you were here.
I can only write how much I love and miss you and wish you were here.
(I hope you are).
As always, I know you know what I'm thinking all the time. Doing our best, but I MISS YOU SO.
So today I will not reminisce, but will be happy for all the days we had.
Love Forever Kim
The Messenger
From an Angel on high
a tender message of love was softly whispered into the ear
of this humble scribe....
Weep not for me
now that I have passed.
Remember the laughter, the affection, the joy
not just the recent tears.
Cherish the memories, our hopes and dreams.
Hold fast to the love that we shared.
Be happy with the time we spent together
and being anew.
For I am not really gone,
I am closer than ever before.
As the morning sun rises
and throughout the busy day...I am with you.
Until the setting sun disappears on the horizon
and we watch the day turn into night...I am here.
You may feel a faint breeze
stir round your head, while you slumber
as I gently kiss your forehead, "Good night."
The stars that shine so brightly in my heavenly sky
help me watch over you and keep you from harm.
I am the wind in the trees
and the song of a bird.
I am moonbeams in a midnight sky
and a glorious rainbow after the storm.
I am morning dew
and freshly-fallen snow.
I am a butterfly flying overhead
and a puppy happily at play.
I am a smile on a stranger's face
a gentle touch
a warm embrace.
Listen to the wind for my message of love.
Watch the sun rise and set in the sky with me.
Feel my essence encircle you with warm memories.
Open your heart to know...I am not gone.
Reach deep into your soul...You will find me.
I am here.
Have no fear.
I am with you,
Always.
Kim Howes
March 16, 2009
Hi Mom. Have you seen her? You're a GREAT-grandma, in all senses of the title! We certainly needed the help from above! What an emotional week it's been. Little Mackenzi Marie, 7 weeks early. She looks like her mommy.
I was so scared with all that was going on last week. When I sat in the car, I saw you flutter by, and know you were watching over both of them that day.
All 4lbs of her,she is a tiny miracle and doing great! H came home yesterday and the baby will stay a while, maybe another week or two if she keeps improving like she has. No tubes and she's bottle feeding.
I'm sure she has her grt-gramma's determination. She has your "guns" as it was mentioned, she's a chubby preemie, luckily so! Amazing how nature takes care of things. Oh and a little help from above doesn't hurt either! She's absolutely precious.
You don't know how much I've needed you Mom. I now relate to everything that I may have done wrong when we had kids and dealing with relationships. I'm sooooo glad we found our way. Her birth has taken the edge off of missing you, yet only ignited a far more deeper wishing you were here to share this precious little miracle.
It is all kind of surreal. Some day I will give her your story and she will have so much more in common with you.
Loss and birth.
Hopefully a rebirth of those we so treasured.
I know you're watching over that precious little bundle.
I've now joined the club.
Love you mom.
Kim
aka Grammi, that's with an "i" just like Holli and just like Mackenzi!
Kim Howes
February 15, 2009
Happy Birthday Mom! It's a day of celebration yet how we miss you so.
The first without you. I can't even believe you are not here to celebrate. I missed sending out your package, your card, your email the phone call. But I can't dwell on that. It's YOUR day. Every day is your day for that matter.
A day doesn't go by I don't think of you. All this is just not right, it's so unfair. There was so much more for you to see and celebrate and be a part of.
Your great granddaughter, due in April is going to be missing someone very special. Yet I know you are watching over her.
Your newest granddaughter is here and Sean is a big brother.
I will make sure they know you. But I'm sure they will in their heart.
I know you're smiling down on us all.
We are all so blessed because of you.
Happy Birthday Mom. You are the greatest gift to all of us.
I miss you terribly, Mom.
Happy Birthday. Love Kim
ps...Yes, of course I'll have that piece of cake!
Kim Howes
January 3, 2009
Well Mom, it's 2009. The holidays came and went, so quickly. I missed hearing your voice on Christmas eve and Christmas day and Haaaapppy New Year.
It really hasn't been happy for me, but I will make the best of it.
The little gift you hid last year we found and I gave it to Blake. I do the same and forget where I put things. So I gave it to him. It made it seem like you were here.
That new little great granddaughter is growing! Holli's tummy is pretty good sized. Oh will she be loved, but just not quite as much as if you were here. Karl's little girl will be coming in Feb. There will be two to love. You'd be so tickled to video chat with Mr. Sean! He's such a little man.
I love you mom and miss you more than anyone can know!
I like to write to you but I hope you are hearing me every day talk to you.
Forever Mom.
Love Kim
Chris Snyder
November 9, 2008
Donna, aren't you so very proud of your daughter. She is the best and I know you treasured her all of your days with her You are watching over her and all your loved ones. I miss you.
Kim Howes
November 7, 2008
Hi Mom. I've been away for a while. I hope you hear me when I talk to you EVERY day. Oh how I miss you. Well today is my birthday. Not to draw attention to me, but I wanted to make notice of what YOU gave to me. Life. I am so
blessed for that and for having you in my life.
Happy BIRTH-day to you, for me.
I love and miss you so very much.
Love Kim
Kim Howes
September 3, 2008
Hi Mom, once again it's been a while.
There's not a moment that goes by that I don't think of you. I hurt more today than I did. My heart doesn't know how to heal, yet yours knew all too well how to.
We are heading up to BIG SKY. I will meet with your friends and we will reminisce. How bitter sweet it will be. It will be a last entry into the hiking journal for a while. I plan to write that for you.
I miss so very much being able to pick up the phone and call you. Except for missing you, all is well. I know, I will stay strong.
Love you Mom, as high as the sky!
Kim Howes
July 30, 2008
Hi Mom.
It's been a while, but two weeks ago I visited you while we were back in Bloomfield. I still can't fathom what has happened. I reach for the phone to call. I look forward to your reassuring words, your cheery nature and just to talk. And then I stop, remembering that I can't. The tears just flow I miss you so much. We went on a cruise and had a great time. Our last night was a beautiful sunset and I sat on the deck and watched the sun go down. I know you were there. Your friends have all checked in. It's nice to hear from them, as it's a connection to you. This seems so stupid, but it makes me feel like I'm connecting to you.
I miss you so much, Mom.
Love you forever, as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.
Christine Blackburn
June 27, 2008
Donna,
Your caring, concern and positive attitude, through good and not so good times, have always been an inspiration to me. Your smile and laughter will be remembered always.
Love,
Chris Blackburn.
Chris Snyder
June 27, 2008
Kim what a great idea. I always look forward to the messages from Donna's friends and family. The reminder when a message is sent is great. We could share some special memories. I was looking through her emails and came to this one. This was after Bobby's stroke. Here is an excerpt.
Mon 11PM 4/8/08
"Hi Chris - I love that saying in the "new stamp" info you sent me:
"If GOD brings me to it, HE will bring me through it...."
I said the "Our Father" for you, I say it a lot.
Love to you and thank you very much for your support, almost each day I see your emails come through and I know they will be supporting words of wisdom always leading back to GOD, HE is our Saviour and will help us come through this .
Donna"
God led her home where he wanted her. Her trials are over and she has perfect peace. She is looking down from heaven encouraging us, nurturing us as she always did.
Kim Howes
June 25, 2008
I just could not end this chapter. I hope friends and family will continue to visit over the next year. I know it will give me time..... and a connection. I so miss you Mom.
Lucille & Ralph Richards
June 21, 2008
Donna, you were one of those special people who entered one's life and left a deep imprint on the heart. We will miss your zest for life, wonderful smile and caring ways. Our only regret is that you weren't in our lives long enough.
Love,
Rosemary Beason
June 19, 2008
I first met Donna in 1994, here in Montana Bitterroot valley, and became very close friends. We started a hiking group here in the Bitterroot valley and hiked every Monday. She so loved all that nature had to offer, the many shades of green in the Spring, wildflowers, clouds, animal tracks, etc.. We would find the craziest things so funny and laughed until our sides hurt. Whether by telephone or e-mail we would talk about the early morning sunrise or evening sunset. We had a special Huckleberry picking spot which she so enjoyed. Picking season will soon be here and I will miss her, but know she will be checking to make sure I did not miss any berries hiding under the leaves. We often went to Valley Drug store for a chocolate malt or a Brown and White, where we sat and talked for hours. She always beamed when speaking of her grandchildren.
A special person she was and as Kim said, "God needed another angel".
To Donna's family and friends, thank you for sharing her with us here in Montana for too short of a time. She truly was loved by all here, and is missed very much. Keep smiling Donna, love, your friend "Ro"
Kim Howes
June 17, 2008
To all of you reading this, know how much you meant to Donna. Thank you for being a part of her life, you all contributed in making life a true passion for her.
Thank you for your memories and kind words and support.
Her heart was fine, it is now all our hearts that are broken and we have all lost a precious friend.
I hope it's not too late. I wanted to read at her service, but it was just too difficult. Here is my special letter to her.
Kim, her daughter.
Dear Mom/Gramma,
I’m writing this as though I’m emailing you, just as we always did. Thank goodness for the computer, it kept us in touch over the miles and the days. As we always said it was just like we were in the same room. We could envision what the other was doing and hear the other “speaking” the words.
I do not know what I will do without you here and get through the days, but I will hear your voice reassuring me as you always did that all is AOK or that boost of confidence you always gave, that I so need for days to come.
What I do know is how very much I loved you and what we meant to you. I have no doubts about that. Every single one of us is so very fortunate to have been on the receiving end of your kind and gentle ways, genuine tenderness and your undivided love and devotion. I could write and go on forever, but I know each and every person who was so fortunate to have been touched by you, knows in their heart what I mean.
Mom, you saw so much more than we ever imagined. I am so very grateful to have been able to share all those years. Four heart surgeries and 4 grandchildren and their high school graduations, college graduations and weddings. You saw your son married and how great a father he is to your newest grandson. I so wish those extra years you talked about, were to come, but God must have needed another angel. I know that sounds cliché, but I have to believe that your talents were needed elsewhere.
What I loved was our bond. It was uniquely special and I treasure that. To know you are loved is a special gift. We will all miss your tender touch, your innocence, your quirky statements, your goofy foolishness and your zest for life. You lived it to the fullest, we all know you did. We shared everything and we had wonderful times together and for that I am so very grateful. So I have few regrets. You wouldn’t want me to dwell on that, so I won’t and I will be strong. I will take with me your strength, your generosity and overwhelming love of life. It will be difficult to do without you here, but I will take from you and I will go on .
To all she touched, if nothing else make sure to love like there was no tomorrow, laugh until you cry and never, ever give up.
Mom, I miss you so very much. The kids miss you and thank you for the love you gave to them. I love you and you will always be in our hearts forever.
And as we said at the end of a conversation, “good night” never “good bye”, because there would be tomorrow and there will be Mom. And you told me you were always on my shoulder giving me strength, so it is with that that I will go on, for you.
I love Mom, and as you always tucked us in and told us "sleep tight, I love you as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky, forever."
Tracey DeBlase
June 14, 2008
May 24, 2008
Donna,
I never imaged I would be writing this to you, at least not now! Never imaged!
You never had an unkind word, and you never said anything wrong. You simply endured. Your patience and kindness was always present. I believe you have a spiritual side, and you know God. You are now with Him in a place we all hope to be.
I will miss the sound of your laugh, when we talked on the phone And the words you always said “hang on Tray, I’ll get your Dad”…”Bobby its Tracey.” Or simply, “Tracey”. And Dad would pick up “HI T.R.” I always anticipated that. And the e-mails that we swapped from time to time. You always remembered my birthday. You always asked about what mattered to me, Chelsea, Nicholas, Sam and Dorrie. You understood how much they meant to me and offered hugs and kisses to them!
I remember the times sailing on the lake. And visiting Christmas Day, sitting around the kitchen table and Kim and Karl would sometimes be there too. And the SNOW DRIFTS WALKING UP THE DRIVEWAY….yuk!!! You were always ready for anything, “lets do it” laughing all the while.
Dad is wandering around, lost and can’t believe you’re gone. We will try our best to pick up where you left off. I don’t know how far we’ll get.
I can’t believe you’re gone, I just can’t. But I know you’re with God and the abundance of life is now yours.
Please watch over Dad and I will remember you with loving, caring, kind thoughts in my prayers and always. I will miss you Donna. ‘Till then…..
Love,
Tracey
Kathy Hohenstein
May 28, 2008
Donna had a positive impact on everyone she encountered. She always had something uplifting and encouraging to say to each person she met. She always saw the bright side, was always positive and lived life every minute. She was very proud of each and every member of her family. She shared the joy she had in every conversation and every visit with them.
Donna sent positive thoughts across the miles and I know she will be watching out for all of us from afar.
Our lives are all better for having known Donna - she was a friend and a mentor and will be forever missed.
Joyce Straub Buck
May 28, 2008
Played with Donna when we were kids
She was one of a group of about five girls, lots of fun to be with.
Donna Lee Morley
May 28, 2008
May God keep you safe in His arms.
Chris Snyder
May 28, 2008
Donna my friend was one in a million. She never took a single day for granted. I think because of her illness early in life she was always so grateful for every day she had thereafter. She appreciated everything around her. The flowers, the trees, the sun and the stars. She appreciated the stranger at the grocery store, and anyone who crossed her path. She loved people and saw the good in everyone.. She loved her children so much. Kim was her dearest friend and they had such a special relationship, she was so proud of Karl Wayne and happy when he found Cindy and adopted their beautiful grandson Sean Kristopher. She cherished her visits these past few years and spending time with her grandson. She always used to tell me about her grandchildren in California, Holli, Blake and Brook.
Donna was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend. I think if she were here with us she would remind us that life is fleeting. We never know when our time is up. We have to take each day and live it to the fullest. Stop and smell the flowers, dwell on the upside of things. Be grateful and thankful to God for every day of our lives. Cherish our family and friends.
Jan Olek
May 28, 2008
I worked with Donna for many years at Xerox. What I remember about her was that she was always smiling! You are all very fortunate to have had the benefit of such a lovely person in your life. God bless you.
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