Beth Ann Behanna

I love you my Beth Ann...you are my Sweetheart!!! Mommy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BETH!! WE MISS YOU SO MUCH, BUT KNOW THAT YOU ARE SO HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND LIVING A GLORIOUS LIFE WITH OUR BEST FRIEND JESUS!! WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN FOR SURE! WISH I COULD SEE YOUR SMILE TODAY, BUT PICTURES WILL HAVE TO DO FOR NOW. LOVE YOU MUCH--AUNT GRACE

HI BUFFY!
YOU'VE BEEN ON MY MIND SO MUCH! IT WILL SOON BE FOUR YEARS SINCE YOU LEFT US, AND YOUR MEMORY IS A BRIGHT, HAPPY LIGHT IN MY MIND! I SHALL ALWAYS THINK OF YOUR SWEET LAUGH FIRST WHEN I THINK OF YOU! IT SEEMED YOU WERE ALWAYS LAUGHING ABOUT SOMETHING, AND MAKING US LAUGH TOO--EVEN WHEN YOU TRULY DID NOT HAVE MUCH TO LAUGH ABOUT IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD! YOU WERE A TROOPER WHO TRULY DID ALWAYS THINK OF OTHERS FIRST AND ALWAYS TRIED TO MAKE THE REST OF US MORE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR IMMINENT PASSING. I REMEMBER SITTING WITH YOU ALONE IN THE HOSPITAL AND YOUR EYES WERE CLOSED, I WAS OVERCOME WITH THE THOUGHT OF LOSING YOU, AND I SAID, "OH, BETH, YOU HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH!" YOU OPENED YOUR BEAUTIFUL EYES AND SAID, " AUNT GRACE, I AM NOT SUFFERING!" AND SMILED AT ME TO LET ME KNOW YOU DIDN'T WANT SYMPATHY ONLY CLOSENESS. WHAT A COURAGEOUS SPIRIT! WE THINK OF YOU ALWAYS AND LOOK FORWARD TO BEING WITH YOU AGAIN ONE DAY.
LOVE, AUNT GRACE & UNCLE REESE

Beth,
It is obvious that you are and were loved greatly by family and friends. I am saddened by your early departure but to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. You have escaped the bonds which hold us here and have graduated beyond all that we could think or imagine. I look forward to meeting you someday.

I miss you Beth sooooooooo very much!!!
I need your hug and I wish I could touch you, feel your heart next to mine, hug you...hear your voice, your witty comments and your deep laughter.
Soon...very soon.
Your Honey Bun,
Mom

BETH, IT IS CLOSING IN ON CHRISTMAS 2009, SEEMS SO MUCH LONGER SINCE WE HAVE HEARD YOUR LAUGH OR A QUICK RETORT FROM YOU!! WE MISS YOU VERY MUCH. EVERYTIME I LOOK AT MY KITCHEN LIGHT WITH YOUR NAME ON IT (EVERY DAY) I REMEMBER YOU PAINTING IT WITH DAWN AND LAUGHING ABOUT YOUR "PAINTING CAREER! LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO. AUNT GRACE AND UNCLE REESE

Hi Baby,
I'm two years closer to you.
I love you and miss you so very much. I hug you everyday.
Always on my mind and in my heart,
Mom

Happy Easter Honeybunny!!!
You were my Easter Baby.
I love you!!!
From your Honey Bun,
Mom

happy birthday and happy Easter--we know that you are happy and well now, but we miss you, Buffy and we love you!

Happy Birthday Beth Ann!!!

I love and miss you so very much,
Mom

continued to page 4:
A beautiful person inside & out. Always in our hearts. Now you can rest in peace Beth. We love you.
April 3, 2006
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My thoughts and prayers are with Curtis and his family. Bart Heinritz
April 3, 2006
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JoAnn, God bless you and your family. You have an angel watching over you. Barbara Gravenkemper
April 3, 2006

My Dear Beth, Today Dec. 7, 2007, Brandy gave birth to your nephew, Jack Hayden Glenn, 6lbs 8ozs, 20in long, I realy could feel your presence there today with us. I know how proud you are of Brandy and how much you would have loved to hold baby Jack. I know E and Grandma are smiling too. Did you hear CLaire Bear "ceaming", "I love you Aunt Beth." They do remember you and miss you!
We love you so. Mom

DEAR BETH, IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE WE HAVE TALKED WITH YOU OR SAW YOUR SWEET FACE, BUT WE THINK OF YOU DAILY AND MISS YOU. WE WENT TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL STONE FOR YOU AND ERIC-IT IS SO PRETTY. YOU CONTINUE TO BE A BLESSING IN OUR LIVES FOR THE INSPIRATION YOU ALWAYS WILL BE.

Hi Sweety, Aunt Pam's Mom joined you this past week....maybe she will give you a hug from me. It is Thanksgiving today and I have been missing you. I went to Montana way up in the Mountains....did you see me there? Please ask Jesus to help me? I know you know what I mean. Happy Thanksgiving Beth, Eric, Mom, Grandma and Grandpap. We all miss you sooooo very much.
Love you Honeybun,
Mom

Hi my sweet baby Beth Ann, I love you so. The monument for Eric and yo is finally complete and set up. Sue and Henry are pleased and say it is beautiful. brandy the kids and I visited yesterday, Will and Claire decorated and arranged the little flowers on the base of the stone. We all miss you deeply. Mom

I miss you Beth. Your sister is having another nephew for you at Christmas time. I know you are watching over us, and would be proud of both Brandy and Mark. The kids still talk of you often with good memories, you will always be a big part of their hearts. Can't wait to see you again. Mom

Happy Easter HoneyBun!!!
SomeBunny Loves You Very Much and that would be your HoneyBun.
Yesterday I came across the hand made card you made me when you first called me your HoneyBun. You drew a jar of Honey next to a Bun...and from then on we were each others HoneyBun's.
You were my Easter Baby, I am trying to remember, when you were born, if I brought you home from the hospitl on Easter Eve or Easter Day, we went to Aunt Patty's and Uncle Pierre's for that first night. I remember eating Aunt Patty's tasty Ham Dinner.
The celebration in Heaven of Easter, when Christ Jesus arose must be an Awesome event, I bet you and Eric are going to really enjoy the feast of food, the dancing and the beautiful praise and worship to our God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus today. Wish we were there. XOXOXO
I miss you and love you so Beth!
Mom
Ps:Give Grandma, Eric and all those I love a hug for me. Give a special hug to my Great Grandma, Grandma, Aunt Mary and Grandpap too.

Beth's Eulogy written and read by Brandys husband Jon on April 5,2006. He spoke beautifully of her.

On behalf of the family I would to thank you all for the outpouring of love.
I use to think that I could be courageous, but looking back over the last seven years and what Beth had to face no one here today can even come close to Beth’s courage. It began with her fall on the ice, than the lose of her hair, multiple attempts at finishing law school. Meeting…than losing the love of her life, Eric. Then ultimately the realization that she had lost her battle with cancer and knew it would take her life. I thought this description of Courage defines how Beth lived.
“Courage is the strength to face pain, act under pressure, and maintain one’s values in the face of opposition. You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.”
Who has more Courage than Beth, who was able to overcome more pain both physical and emotional? Whose faith could be tested so deeply and painfully… Yet still trust in the Lord. I read this which pretty much sums up Beth’s situation “We cannot always understand the ways of Almighty God- the crosses which he sends us, the sacrifices which He demands of us…But we accept with faith and resignation His holy will with no looking back to what might have been, and we are at peace.” There is no question Beth was at peace her final days, with her only worry being to communicate her love for her friends and family. Whether It was through hugs, over the phone, or barely having enough strength to scribble on a pad “I love you” for Brandy.
Someone once said that when you die God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas, but for scars. Beth might not have finished law school but she has finished her battles and endured her scars. It’s amazing to think how beautiful and delicate Beth was but at the same time what a strong warrior she was being able to stare at her own death with her only fear being how other’s would cope with it, especially Brandy and Mark.
On Friday God sent a double rainbow to Beth’s window. Brandy asked me if I thought God had sent it for Beth. How could you deny this was God’s beautiful trail leading Beth to heaven? Out of the dark storms that blew in Beth’s life Jesus gave Beth (but more importantly us) the most amazing symbol of God’s love changing darkness to light, greyness to beauty, death to life. It was like God said to Beth, “come my child, walk on this rainbow trail, and all about you will be beauty. There is only one way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail and into my kingdom.
Beth’s niece Emily was asked by her mother Lynn Ann after she had left the funeral home “What did you think when you saw Aunt Beth. And Emily responded with more Godly wisdom and insight than most of us adults would ever have, “I was with Aunt Beth when she died…She was in my heart, she lives in my heart and I will always see her in my heart.” Will we keep Beth alive in our hearts like Emily? Cause either we die ourselves and become numb to the world or we make Beth live again with cherished memories, stories and thoughts about how Beth has changed our lives forever.
I want to close with a prayer that Saint Francis wrote that seemed to be a prayer that Beth lived out in her life.
“Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love,
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Where there is darkness, light.
O Divine Master,
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled,
As to console,
Not so much to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned
It is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
Amen.

Our Sweet Beth Ann,

We miss you desperately and love you so.

Mommy, Brandy, Mark, Daddy, Will, Claire, Gracie, Emily, Kyle, Summer, and all your family and friends.

Beth is no longer sick or suffering... she is healthy and happy in heaven, watching over all of us. We miss you Beth, and we love you.
For those of you who knew Beth, or know Brandy, Mark, Joann, Fred or their families, please keep them in your hearts and prayers today.
written by Kelly

read

Beth went heaven bond April 2, 2006 in the am hours between 3:40am and 4:30am or as it was spring forward night it was 4:40am to 5:30am when Brandy went to check on her and found she was gone. I was laying at the bottom of the bed at her feet. Brandy had been laying at her side holding her hand. She left while we were asleep...as I believe she wanted to leave when we were asleep...so our hearts wouldn't break at her last breath. She had experienced that with Eric and many others that she loved, so she waited for us all to be asleep. We love you Beth.
copied from a blog by Mom

Tracy


Date: Apr 2, 2007 1:48 PM
Subject Remembering Beth
Body: One year ago today, the we lost an amazing person named Beth. I didn’t know Beth as well as I would have liked to but since her passing I have had pleasure of being close to her wonderful family. I am truly blessed and thankful to have each of them in my life and they will forever have a special place in my heart. Her brother Mark has truly changed my life for the better. Her sister Brandi has always been there for me whenever I needed her. She is one of those friends you can talk to for hours about anything. Her mother JoAnn has become someone I look up to, and if I ever needed her help or guidance I know she would help me in any way she could without hesitation. I wanted to post this poem for Mark, Brandi, JoAnn and everyone who is missing her today.

Remembering Beth

Your time on earth seemed all too brief
because we wanted you in our lives forever.
God took you home one year ago today.
And although we really miss you,
in our hearts we know that you are at peace.
Still, countless times throughout the day
We find ourselves remembering you.
Although we cannot see or hear you,
We know that you are with us.
You left traces in the heart of every life you touched
We'll feel you in the warmth of the summer sun.
We'll see you in the brilliance of autumn leaves.
You'll be beside us in the peacefulness of a gentle snowfall
and rejoice with us at the emergence of the first flowers of spring.
We are thankful for the times we shared
and the priceless memories too;
for those memories are a comfort now when we lovingly -
Remember You.

In Loving Memory of Beth

To Mark, Brandi and JoAnn: Thank you for letting me into your hearts and letting me see parts of Beth through each of you!
Love, Tracy

Hi Baby, my Honeybun Beth, I am one year closer to you today. The night was rough, but there was a beautiful full moon that comforted me through the night and the sun is shining this morning. I will lay some pink flowers out for you today. I finally made your bed and spent time straightening your room, it is how you had it. Brandy spoke in your memory at the sorority annual luncheon. They plan on planting a pink dogwood tree for you in front of the DG house and also plan to put a memorial brick in the walkway. It comforts me when people remember you. I miss you! I love you! Tell Eric and Grandma I said, I love them. Wish I could see you there, with your smile, shining in His glory. Always, Mom

It is hard to imagine it has been a year since you walked your rainbow to heaven. Here on earth, the greiving continues. But the greiving is for those of us left behind. I know you are happy and pain-free. It is for your freinds and family that we greive. We miss you,long to see your face,and hear your voice. Someday we will make that trip on our own rainbow and will be together once again. Until then,we will keep you in our hearts.

My Sweet Baby Beth, today is the day Jesus gave you your double rainbow as his promise that you would not be alone in your crossing over to Heaven. I looked toward the sky at that time today and remembered helping you to the window so you could see the wonderful site outside your hospital window. How awesome it was to have Jesus come to you and us in such a way to give us peace in the shadow of death. But death did not win...because Jesus carried you over that rainbow to Heaven where Eric and all our loved ones were there to greet you. How happy you all must be. I can't wait til the time we are all there together. I am doing something for you this weekend. Brandy spoke for the Delta Gamma sor., about you...in memory of you.
I love you and miss you so.
Mom

our sweet Beth Ann, how we miss your laughter, your intelligence, your sweet smile. We know that the Lord must have a very important task for you there, and that we will see you again--healthy and strong.
love always,
uncle Reese and aunt Grace

My Baby Beth, I miss you so. I want to see you, your face, your smile, hear your laugh, touch you. I want to see you where you are, to see you happy, whole, to see your beautiful flowing red hair. Just once if I could just see you, even if only in a dream. God please let me see her. Tell her I love her. Hopefully soon, Mom

Love you and miss you

Beth,You are truly missed here on earth. You were a bright light that spread love and happiness wherever you went. I'm sure that is true in heaven,too.

I miss you Beth...so very very much!

I am so sorry for your loss. I am a nursing student that took care of Beth one evening in February. She was a sweet girl and such an inspiration because of her courage and strength. God be with you and grant you strength for the days ahead and always.

Beth was a great person and friend. Her courage and positive attitude were both inspirational and admirable. I have only kind memories of Beth.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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