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CVO Social => Rider Down => Topic started by: 9 1/2 Beers on November 06, 2012, 07:45:43 AM
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A letter from Dean :
Early Tuesday morning, only a few hours after making her final appearance at our Monday night giveaway show during our 10th Anniversary High Seas Rally and getting a standing ovation, Debbie slipped into unconsciousness and died Wednesday Oct 31 at 2:15 pm.in the ships infirmary. She was in no pain. Her last wishes were to be on this 10th Anniversary High Seas Rally cruise
Debbie was the co-owner of the High Seas Rally and sole creator of the HOHS Dialysis Fund. While I (Dean) got the fun part of the job creating the games to raise the dialysis money, Debbie was the heart and soul that made it happen. Until just this year when her health was failing, she handled all patients and all paperwork since the beginning. Raising almost $300,000 on this 2012 Rally cruise alone and over 1.6 million since 2003. A tireless worker and humanitarian, loved by all that met her.
Two years ago almost to this day, Debbie was diagnosed with a rare form of not one but 2 kinds of lung cancer. Since Debbie never smoked, her odds of getting lung cancer were less than 3%. In addition, the 2 forms of lung cancer she contracted only show up in 2% of all cancer patients. That's just plain bad luck. Given only 6 months to live, she bravely fought on for 2 years and beat the one cancer in her lungs but the second cancer moved to her liver and we never did get ahead of it.
During this cruise, we know our veteran High Seas Rally cruisers knew something was terribly wrong because we have been together for 40 years, married for 37 and are rarely seen more than a few feet apart but it was my decision alone to not mention this situation to our friends and passengers. Only myself, my son Cody, his wife Carla and ship medical staff knew of her death. None of our staff knew. It was much too painful for me to mention during the cruise and would have been in direct conflict with what this rally is all about. Debbie also agreed.
She requested to be cremated and have no funeral. Instead, she wished us to have a party in her honor on a future High Seas Rally cruise. She was, is and always will be, the most important person in my life. Although I know you all wish me well, please do not attempt to contact me personally for the next 30 days. Creating the High Seas Rally was easy compared to writing this. I need some alone time to get through this. She was my angel. Once again, thanks everyone for making Debbie's Dialysis Fund and the High Seas Rally a runaway success. Rest assured, the show will go on.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, a donation to the HOHS Dialysis Fund will help continue Debbie's passion and is greatly appreciated.
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God Bless Debbie Anderson
My Prayers are with you , My you Rest in peace.
Marty
I posted an email from Dean.
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Thinking of you and your family in this sad time and I'm so sorry for your loss.
Rick
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Marty, sorry for your loss. My prayers to the family in this time. As I didn't know her and have never heard of Hog on the High Seas,when you get a chance, can you give me a brief history of her and this rally? I am very interested and I'm sure not the only one that did not know anything about Ms. Anderson or the High Seas Rally. Thanks.
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Sorry for your loss.
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Marty, so very sorry to hear of your loss! Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this time of great sadness.
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Very sad story Marty! May her legacy live on. Rest In Peace Mary Anderson!
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Thank you so much for that wonderful story of such bravery in the face of such a terrible disease. It's an honor to know about folks like Debbie and their families as they are such great roll models for folks facing similar situations. My prayers to you brother.
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Ahoy Mates,
I have been asked to shed some light on the great experience “The High Seas Rally” offers fellow bikers. In 2004 we set sail for the Caribbean, enjoying paradise by land and sea. Having such a wonderful time we quickly returned for the Mexican Riviera voyage in 2005. The unique premise of decadent cruise and motorcycle rally might seem like an oxymoron but instead correlate to create an enjoyable vacation that will truly surprise all who attend. Hogs on the High Seas attempts to mirror the larger Rallys, such as Sturgis and others but conveys a more personal and lavish persona. With the immense size and sometimes overwhelming nature of such rally’s, the idea of relaxation and genuine biker camaraderie is often lost. This experience offers a true paradise vacation with other biker enthusiast’s, poised to share past ridding stories and converse with fellow bikers. Dinners, excursions, and late night navy grogs can assure fun will be had by all. Dean and Debbie started Hogs on the High Sea’s 10 years ago and continually strive to offer the greatest experience possible to other motorcycle enthusiasts. Being the charitable individuals they are, they also use this joyous occasion to give back to less fortunate individuals, donating a portion of proceeds to their favorite charitable organization, “Kidney Dialinos.” As I recall my high seas adventure I am reminded of both relaxing ocean views and friendships that remain in tact today. In total I have nothing but positive remarks on this unique vacation experience and I look forward to returning to the Sea’s and embarking on another fun filled adventure soon.
Cheers Scallywags,
http://www.highseasrally.com/
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RIP Debbie.
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So sorry to hear this... RIP Debbie.
I met Dean & Debbie back in 2003 before their first cruise (the lived in Waynesboro Va) when they came to a local HOG meeting to tell us about the cruise. Both were really great people and loved motorcycles. Here is a link to more about them - "Who We Arrrr" (https://www.highseasrally.com/cruise/EC13/content_pages/view/who_we_are).
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
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Vickie and I went on the High Seas Rally Cruise to the Carribean in Oct. of 2009. It was a very fun vacation. Dean and Debbie were great hosts and Debbie was a very sweet and kind lady. This was very sad news to us, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
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Marty:
So sorry to hear of Debbie's passing. She was obviously a very special lady. RIP Debbie.
God bless,
Ken