Please Help Dani & Mama Dee's Memory

Hi, my names Nyki V., it is with a very heavy heart that I organized this fundraiser for one of my very best, long time friends. Her wonderful mom, Diana (Dee), passed away Saturday, February 19th unexpectedly while recovering from an illness at home. Mama Dee was an incredibly selfless person who unfortunately struggled with her health for many years, leaving a financial crisis that the Healthcare system and life expenses accumulated in the end, leaving her daughter, Danielle (Dani), with very little in ways of funeral or services, and most certainly not the ability to afford a mortgage and bills at the house she and her mom shared, alone. Dee would have never wanted to leave Dani with this struggle, and I hope those who love Dani and loved Diana will come help me help Dani bring her Mother the Peace and Rest she so deserves while also able to help Dani continue through life without immediately worrying about bills and debt that are sure to back up quickly.

 

I'm going to include the Obituary and excerpt from Dani for help that has never been asked for before, but for someone with one semester left of years spent in college and tons of school debt to worry about, she desperately needs our help to stay her life path and get through these impending changes in the coming weeks! Please help or share in anyway you possibly can.

 

Obituary and Message below:

 

Obituary

 

Dedicated in the loving memory of Diana Lyn Shew, 66, who passed away unexpectedly at home Saturday afternoon on February 19, 2022. She was born March 8, 1955 to Melvin and Warrine Ahlgreen in Akron, Ohio. They later moved to Tallmadge where she grew up with her younger siblings on N. Munroe Road. Many of her friends from childhood lasted until the end of her life.

 

Graduating high school with a cosmotology degree in 1973, Diana (Dee) started working as a hair dresser for several years. Her best friend, Nina, is how she would meet her soulmate, James L. Shew, that she later married at age 20 at Saint Marks Lutheran Church in Tallmadge on a hot summer day while wearing a winter wedding dress because they had to change their original wedding date. Their honeymoon in Florida was cut short because her husband wanted to see Elvis Pressley in concert, which would end up being the King's last tour. She was so happy she saw Elvis' last show before his passing as going to concerts was her favorite pastime. She loved reading and writing. In the late 1970s, she won a contest where she had the opportunity to have one of her poems published in a book. Her poem that won was called, 'Four Seasons of Love':

______

Four Seasons of Love

By Diana Lyn Shew

 

We met, you and I.

 

Our love blossomed,

Like a new bud on a tree.

Precious, fragile,

as a newborn kitten.

Quietly, softly,

as the floating clouds in the sky.

Was the springtime of our love.

 

We loved, you and I.

 

On the burning sands of love,

we thirsted for each other.

Passionately, aggressivly,

as a mother protects her young.

Heatedly,

as the blazing sun beats the desert sands.

Was the summer of our love.

 

We became distant, you and I.

 

Our love flickered,

like the burning candle in the breeze.

Cooling, changing,

as a flowing mountan stream.

Cold, blustering,

as the great northern wind.

Was the autumn of our love.

 

Our love was no more, dying.

 

Silently, swiftly,

as a theif steals away in the night.

smothered,

as the melting candle is extinguished.

Dead,

like the blackened trees after a forest fire.

Was the winter of our love.

_______

 

After leaving the hair salon, Dee worked her way up to become assistant general manager for twenty-plus years at McDonald's. She worked at several different McLocations all over Summit & Portage County. Her and her husband gave birth to their daughter, Danielle, in November of 1990. After her husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack in June 1996, her friends and family helped her raise her daughter on her own while she got back on her feet. She eventually met her life partner, a long-time family friend, Charles (Tom) Ball, and his daughter, Nina, whom she would remain with until his sudden death in 2016.

 

In 1998, she was in a near fatal car accident that left her unable to work for several years. She took some time off to raise her daugher, Danielle (Dani) while she recovered. When she later rejoined the workforce again, she worked another twenty years as a call representative, first for various banks and, finally, for nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital at Infocision. While working as a call representative, she also enrolled in classes for Medical Billing & Coding and excelled in her studies, but had drop the courses after her life parter became sick & he had to retire.

 

Dee enjoyed many hobbies as long as she could enjoy them with her hot coffee black with three ice cubes. She was creative spirit all her life. From crafts, photography, crocheting, and coloring, Dee had many talents & interests. She was always looking for a new hobby to explore and shopping for it to get the best deals. In the spring, she loved working in her garden, always shopping for flowers to grow for the year. She loved her wisteria tree, lillac bush, and her sunflowers that would grow as tall as her house. In the summer, she loved to relax by the pool, showing off her garden, and road trips with her music playing. In the fall, she loved watching the leaves change colors, the new fall lineup of favorite shows, and decorating for Halloween & Thanksgiving. In the winter, she loved her holiday movies, along with celebrating the holidays with family and friends every year. She especially took great pride in her Christmas tree decoration themes. Anyone that came into her house would know how much creativity she put into her holiday decorations, especially her Christmas trees.

___

And as we wind on down the road

Our shadows taller than our soul

There walks a lady we all know

Who shines white light and wants to show

How everything still turns to gold

And if you listen very hard

The tune will come to you at last

When all is one and one is all, that's what it is

To be a rock and not to roll, oh yeah

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

___

 

Dee was selfless, steadfast, patient mother, sister, and friend. She was a mother to those without one. She offered her home to many that needed a safe place to stay, or maybe just some good home cooking so you wouldn't leave her house hungry. She was always caring for people, empathic to anyone's needs. She was always making sure people were okay and happy, many times putting her needs before her own. You knew she loved you the moment she greeted you. She had the kindest blue eyes that could not only see into your soul, but also cleanse you from your worries. She loved people and talking to people, hearing their stories. Most of all, she loved her daughter. 

 

In her final days, despite her declining health, you would always find her with a smile on her face sitting in her favorite spot on her couch or recliner. Dee enjoyed watching television and movies, playing games on her phone, cuddling with her dog, Leena, and telling her spoiled cat, Liza Minnelli, she's had too many treats.

 

Dee is proceeded in death by husband, James L. Shew, and life partner, Charles Thomas Ball. She is survived by her daugher, Danielle (Dani) Shew, followed by her siblings: Karin, Carolyn, and Eric.

 

She will be cremated. No service will be held at this time until futher arrangementes can be made. As her final wishes, please listen to Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' in memory of Diana Lyn Shew, daughter, sister, friend, and mother.

___

Footprints in the Sand

By Diana Lyn Shew

 

As we walk hand in hand,

we leave our footprints in the sand.

For miles and miles we walk along,

while the seagulls cry their song.

We talk of hopes and dreams and secrets deep,

knowing our love forever will keep.

As we watch the waves wash ashore,

our footprints will be no more.

As we watch the dawn's early rays,

it's the start of a brand new day.

As we walk hand in hand,

we leave our footprints in the sand.

___

 

In lieu of flowers, please send donate to the memorial fund & a later date will be announced. 

___

 

 

Dear Friends, Family, and Acquaintances,

 

This is Dani writing. Everyone is asking me, so I feel I must bring some more sad news to the Facebook feed: I cannot afford a memorial service for Momma Dee. Sadly, my mom didn't have a life insurance policy left after she borrowed from it back when we were going to lose the house after my stepdad passed away. Currently, I am paying for Kent State classes in monthly payments with only a year left, so I have no money to my name if I'm trying to even keep the utilities on. It breaks my entire soul, but I cannot afford a funeral or a service for Momma Dee. I don't think it's something I could afford even if I tried to save up and sold everything.

 

If you've ever known me, you know how much it hurts me to even post this on top of everything else that's happened. I've never, ever asked any friend or family for money for anything ever. I've only asked to borrow money from my mom if I needed it. Momma Dee told me to never, ever put money between friends or family and I have always stuck true to that my whole life. It's in my moral code to never do something like this, but I have no options left.

 

Dear friends & family, I am asking for help. My mom deserves a memorial and I want to give her one. Momma Dee wasn't just my mom; she was a mom to all my friends, her friends too. I know everyone is struggling, so I understand if you cannot donate. Even if you can only donate your time to help me plan this, I would forever appreciate this generosity. I will be grateful for anything you can give, even if it's just a dollar or the change in your pocket because Momma Dee always taught me to save my change, so I know how quickly it can add up! Anything you can donate will go strictly for Momma Dee's Memorial Fund. I was thinking of renting out Lion's Park shelter in Tallmadge for a half or full day when it's nicer out so people can be outside; Momma Dee loved the warm Spring air. Everyone can come and bring their children to play in the park if you'd like! I might have to hold off a month to throw one so some out-of-state family can attend, but Momma Dee will have her celebration of life party. Some how, some way, I will throw her one. Maybe with your help, I can do this for my mom as a final celebration of life. 

 

Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.