CONNIE DEAN
For Supporting Marcy Andrews
ALVY GREENFIELD
LINDA TRENHOLM
For Supporting Susan Detjens
CONNIE DEAN
When one of Connie's dear friends, Marcy Andrews, a colleague and walking partner of nine years, phoned to tell her she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer, Connie was on her doorstep in minutes.
As a breast cancer survivor, Connie knew just what to bring: her compassion and understanding as well as a copy of Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book.
Connie became a "one woman support group" who was there to help ask the questions that Marcy didn't know to ask, to fix dinners, bring books and , on one occasion, hand carry fresh flowers back from Hawaii.
Connie refers to experiences like helping her friend through the healing process as "Wounded Blessings." While you never want something bad to happen to someone you love, you hope to provide the strength and comfort they need to heal.
ALVY GREENFIELD (1925-2002)
You always knew when Alvy entered the room. She was a tornado in a small package, a person whose will and spirit were impossible to suppress.
After two radical mastectomies in the early 1970s, the American Cancer Society's "Reach to Recovery" program proved an invaluable asset in her healing process.
Soon thereafter, Alvy herself became a dedicated ACS volunteer for the same program, providing guidance, support, hope and laughter for so many others in the community for more than twenty years!
She was very proud to be a breast cancer survivor.
Whether sending a card on a birthday, sharing her contagious smile, or bringing a book to a friend who was ill, Alvy gave of herself unconditionally to touch the lives of everyone she knew and helped. To know Alvy was to love her.
LINDA TRENHOLM
After participating in a "women in the trades" class in 1982, Linda worked in the Electric Department at PG&E. She found herself in the field with 100 men and one woman - Susan Detjens. Their friendship blossomed into a 19-year loving partnership. Their journey together included a passion for fine woodworking, which resulted in extended study with Jim Krenov in Mendocino.
When Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, Linda provided her with emotional, physical and spiritual support. During Susan's illness, Linda never took "no" for an answer, always questioning and searching for new options.
She was an informed, compassionate advocate. At the same time, Linda says, "I learned from Susie how to say yes." This included everything from accepting help from their large circle of friends to taking trips to Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii.
In the later stages of Susan's illness, Linda created an amazing healing environment for everyone who came into contact with them in their home. She coordinated daily massages, singers from Spirit Rock, and regular visits from Susan's many East Coast family members. Linda was the 24/7 support person, reading Susie her emails and letters, taking care of all her personal needs, and always open to any new way to support the one she loved. Susan passed away on January 3.
