Tribute for deaf people who passed away from coronavirus: PART 3
THE DAILY MOTH (RENCA):
Monday and Wednesday we shared Part 1 and Part 2 of our coronavirus tributes. This is the final part. We will show four videos.
Bernard Van Funk Jr., 91, Nov 4 1928 to May 11, 2020.
This was sent by a friend who knew him so I will sign from what this person says. Bernard was born in Vermont. He attended Austine School for the Deaf in Vermont. Through Austine School for the Deaf, Bernard learned sign language and flourished. He played on the basketball team and worked on the school’s farm. He loved going on camping trips, cut ice from the school’s pond, and helped farmers with maple sugaring.
Bernard got married in 1960 with a woman named Barbara Black. He built a home for these two, had two kids, and raised them there. He was a very handy man who could repair and build things. People who knew Bernard want him to be remembered for his genuine warmth, adventurous spirit, and sincere kindness.
Bernard was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara. He leaves behind his two kids and two grandkids. Bernard’s family and friends want to thank the health care workers at New England Homes for the Deaf whose care, compassion, and kindness during this challenging time.
Robin Thayer, 56, June 19, 1964 to May 29, 2020.
This information is from the obituary that was published on the Press Herald. Robin passed away at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine on May 29, 2020.
A week before she died, she was hospitalized for pneumonia. Her mother Cynthia tried to visit her, but the hospital would not let her. Cynthia mentioned that Robin had a hard time communicating with the hospital staff because of the masks. They also would not bring in an ASL interpreter so Robin had to communicate through a VRI which Cynthia said is not the same and was very difficult for Robin. After a week in the hospital, Robin passed away.
Robin had many health issues throughout her life, but did not let that stop her. She had a smile that could light up a room. She graduated from Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and was always part of the Deaf community in southern Maine. Robin had a great sense of humor. She loved Christmas, birthdays, going out to eat, and making jewelry. Her favorite color was purple.
On the Maine Deaf Community Obituaries and Remembrance page, a post mentioned that there will be a funeral for her when the Covid-19 crisis settles. Her ashes will be buried next to her father at Darthia Farm in Gouldsboro.
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Brandi Case-Wallace, September 17 1986 to July 21 2020
This information is from Brandi’s mother, Heidi Case, that was sent through text. I will sign it.
Brandi passed away from Covid-19 after an emergency C-Section while 8 months pregnant. She delivered her son, John, who was born alive, but shortly died after as well. Brandi was described as a very feisty, Deaf, a force of nature, and someone who would not tolerate being dismissed because of her deafness.
Brandi was born in Dallas, Texas. Brandi was the oldest of four children with three younger brothers. She and her youngest brother Steven came to live with Heidi Case and her partner Chris Colburn in August of 1993. The family moved to Maryland in 1997 and Brandi attended Kendall School for the Deaf on the campus of Gallaudet University. She is survived by her two parents, her three brothers, and her three children.
Heidi and Chris ask that all donations for Brandi to be made to the HEARD organization in her name. The donation link is in the transcript.
Deborah “Debbie” Lovelace, 62, August 2, 1958 to August 1, 2020
This tribute was given by Debbie’s son, Jason Flynn. I talked to her through a video relay interpreter.
INTERPRETER:
She lived about an hour south of Dallas. She worked at a hospital. I don’t know if she contracted the virus from the hospital but her mother was coughing a bit and later she had the pneumonia in both lungs. She fought to recover from the sickness for about one or two weeks. Then she realized she couldn't stop coughing and didn’t feel well. So she checked in a hospital and got confirmation that she had the (coronavirus.) She was rushed to the Covid-19 floor and was put on oxygen. She was gone quickly, just after a week. It was only from the time she was admitted on Friday morning and when she was transported she was already on 60% oxygen. By Saturday, the next day, she was on 80% oxygen. Then on Sunday, she was almost on 100% oxygen. She was slipping in and out of consciousness because of the medication. That’s when I showed up. There were no interpreters. I was upset about that. She worked for the hospital and they couldn’t even get someone to interpret for her and to provide communication! So she was placed on a ventilator. She was on it for a few days. She actually got a bit better after a few days and had her breathing tube taken out, but a couple of days later, it became worse. They tried to airlift her to another hospital. It was the last thing they could do to try and save her. I think when she landed at the other hospital, at that moment, she passed away. Everyone knew my mother and loved her. She had a beautiful smile that radiated the room. She was fun to be around. My mother never had any enemies. She would go out of her way to do whatever she could for anyone. That’s one of my favorite memories of my mother, and she was always there for me. She was so loving and ready to help others. It was not just me, as I’m the oldest sibling… She was very sweet. Everyone who met her loved her. Even my father was crying because he said, you know, she gave him all of his boys. It’s really tough. With everything else, all the legal stuff, we didn’t see it happening. We didn’t expect this, it happened so fast. There was no way to plan for it. My mother was the best. I’m so grateful to have her as my mother. She was a special woman. She will be missed. She was very loved. We are all so sad she passed that way because she had a beautiful soul. I miss her and she will always be missed. I love her and will always love her and am grateful to be her son, until I see her again.
THE DAILY MOTH (RENCA):
We at “The Daily Moth” would like to sincerely thank the family members, friends, and close acquaintances who were willing to share the stories of those who have departed. This is not an easy time for all of us, especially it affects us in the Deaf community. Our thoughts and our hearts are with you all who are grieving today.
Links:
Robin Thayer articles: https://www.ellsworthamerican.com/maine-news/gouldsboro-woman-mourning-daughters-death-from-covid-19/
Brandi Case-Wallace donation link- https://behearddc.org/