My Beloved, Dale Flinn,
and His Journey Home
March 11, 2022 — Happy Birthday, Dale!
The night before, I was listening to a lady
minister speaking, and the last words she spoke were what I
remembered: “Jesus is coming soon and very soon, so if your doorbell
rings, it’s not the Avon lady.”
The next morning at 8:30 as we were finishing
breakfast, the doorbell rang. So, on my way to the door I thought,
“It’s not the Avon lady.” When I opened the door there were two
36-inch gold balloons. I wasn’t sure if they had floated down from
heaven. Then I looked down and they were tied to a box of JR’s
donuts, and two coffees were sitting beside them. As I was trying to
get those balloons (one was a big nine and the other was a big zero)
indoors, the phone rang, and it was Steve wishing his dad a happy
birthday! He and Sandi knew nothing about this gift. It was
Kristina’s surprise gift for her Grandpa, and she had Terri and
Arianna deliver it. Nikki called her Grandpa and asked him how he
was doing. He said, “I was just fine until they told me I was 90
years old!”
May 17, 2022
We drove to the Amish country to celebrate
our 71st anniversary. Terri, Rick, Nanci, Dale, and I
enjoyed a delicious Amish meal. They gave Dale and me two large
pieces of pie of our choice as an anniversary gift. We drove through
the Amish countryside and stopped at Heini’s Cheese Chalet — all
kinds of cheese. On our way home we stopped in the Sugar Creek Bulk
Food Store where Dale liked to buy the cheese ends — many different
kinds in one package.
When we arrived home, Terri took a couple of
photos on her phone of us in front of our house (our 71st
anniversary photo). We both had a wonderful day!
About 8:30 p.m. we were sitting back in
Dale’s office, and he started taking off some clothes, and I felt
him, and he was hot and had a fever. I took him downstairs to the
bedroom and called Terri. She came down and called Kristina, and
they decided to call an ambulance. Terri and I followed them to
Camden Clark Hospital. We were not allowed to stay in there because
of COVID, but we could use the restroom. We were in the car until
3:00 a.m. when we were let in to talk to the doctor, who told us
that Dale had pneumonia caused by either liquid or solid getting
into one lung.
He was in the hospital for one week. I
visited him every day and he had sitters so he wouldn’t get out of
bed by himself. I started telling my stories of some of our trips
and activities, and the ones who heard them said they were good and
should be written down. The doctor said Dale had the beginning of
dementia. He had several weeks of therapy after he returned home,
which included throat and balance therapy. I was also helped with my
balance.
We had a good summer, and in the fall, we
kept our regular schedule as much as possible. We went for many
neighborhood walks. We were talking with a neighbor on a nearby
street. She knew that we were the Flinns, but did not know our
names, which I said were Dale and Jean. Then she asked, “Which is
which?” We had not thought about that.
Dale has enjoyed working in the yard,
including using his new mower. We also have a new minister at
Wayside, Pastor Jeremy Daniels. Our first time back to church after
COVID, Cathy Bell greeted Dale with, “You are just as handsome as
ever.” The Bentens picked us up and we attended church and Sunday
school as often as possible. We also watched several of our TV
ministers daily, and I read the Bible and other books to him. We
always enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk show on Saturday evenings.
After we closed the studio in 2017, Dale
enjoyed the family meals and celebrations we had in our new dining
room. In late summer, Dale had a fall in our bedroom, hitting the
back of his head very hard; there was a large knot and some blood.
The knot went down quickly, and he didn’t complain about his head
hurting him, wo we didn’t take him to a doctor.
November 24, 2022
We had our family Thanksgiving dinner on
Thursday. On Sunday (November 27) we had another family dinner to
include Sandi. We served Texas hash, one of our favorite meals. (We
also had Texas hash for our last lunch in our home.) The next day
was Monday, November 28, our trash day. Dale and I were on the patio
working on the trash and recyclable items. Dale collapsed and was
unable to get up by himself. I helped him into a patio chair while I
took the items to the curb. I was able to get him to bed in our
bedroom and called Terri. She called Kristina and after some tests
we decided he needed to go to the hospital.
Terri was able to get him into the car and
drive us to the hospital. She placed Dale into a wheelchair, and we
checked in at 5:00 p.m. Dale didn’t complain of any pain and was at
ease sitting there for many hours. They took him back several times
for tests. There were several people in the waiting room who were
our photo clients. Terri came at approximately 9:00 p.m. to take us
home. She didn’t know they had tested him. She got us two sandwiches
each, chicken and egg salad (our last meal together). I said I
wasn’t leaving until I talked to the doctor. We were called back at
4:30 a.m. and the woman doctor was very nice and told us that most
of the tests were good, but he had a brain bleed and needs to go to
Morgantown ASAP.
Terri and I left the hospital at 5:00 a.m.
Tuesday morning, November 29. They transported Dale by ambulance
with a special crew. I had just gotten into bed when the phone rang
wanting my permission for brain surgery. We weren’t able to find a
rental car until late evening. I contacted Cathy Bell, who was able
to take us on Wednesday, November 30.
Terri had also made an appointment for Maleah
to see a doctor in Morgantown for the “strawberry” on her face. As
we were crossing Emerson Avenue on Wednesday morning, we received a
phone call asking permission for Dale to have a second surgery. We
told them yes, and we were on our way. Cathy dropped Terri and
Maleah off for their appointment, then went with me to check on
Dale, and the directions to his room were very good. He knew Cathy
and she was able to visit for an hour, including a group prayer.
When Terri called, Cathy picked them up and
headed back to Vienna. Terri had a rental car to come back to the
hospital. I had stayed in Dale’s room while he had the second
surgery that afternoon. Terri stopped at the Rosenbaum Family House
just across from the hospital parking lot to check on our room for
the night. She arrived in Dale’s room at 8:30 p.m. and was able to
talk with the doctor. We had a late supper of baked potatoes topped
with chili in the Family House. It was very good, and they only
charged $25 per night for the room with food included.
When Terri and I visited Dale for the next
few days I was always telling him stories of our adventures. I
finally asked Terri, “Who are these stories for, me, Dale or
everyone else?” She said, “Mom, all the above.”
The Family House was our home for the next
two weeks except for three days after I had COVID. Steve and Sandi
paid for our motels. They prescribed medication for me and allowed
us to visit Dale’s room so long as we wore their heavy masks. The
last words I remember Dale saying was when a member of the staff
called my name and Dale said, “Jean, you mean my Jean?” And they
said, “Yes.” Dale had recovered from the two brain surgeries.
On the evening of Sunday, December 4, Terri
and I decided to take the rental car back to Parkersburg because it
was too expensive to keep. We had shuttle service from the Family
House to the front door of the hospital. The cost of the rental car
was over $800, which Steve repaid me later. Terri and I both had
things to take care of at home. We had to find a way back, so on
Tuesday, December 6, Deloris Sears and her son Chris drove us to
Morgantown on a rainy day.
When we arrived at the hospital, Dale had an
infection they could not control, and he seemed to be in a coma and
was no longer talking. He had not passed a swallow test and they
wanted to insert a feeding tube, but he was never well enough to
have that done. During this time Ray and Kim visited and took us out
for an evening meal. They stayed in a motel that night and came back
to the hospital in the morning for a short visit before going home.
We were thankful for their visit. Kristina had been keeping the
family updated on Dale. One day I was talking to Dale, not knowing
whether he could hear me, but I said, “I don’t know where or when
you are going, but I want to go with you.” Terri heard me and she
called Kristina. I received a call from Kristina, and she said,
“Grandma, this is not a 2 for 1 special. You stop talking and
thinking that way.” This woke me up!
Hospice came on board after that and kept
talking about sending him back to Parkersburg, and this upset me.
One day a nurse came to check on him and I told her, and we both
agreed he was so peaceful here. She told me that his medicine level
had to be a certain level before he could be moved, “and I control
the medicine.” I knew then it was OK. I had peace again and it
wasn’t too long before he went to Heaven on December 13, 2022.
Terri and I arrived at the hospital at 9:30
a.m. and the nurse told us that they had been trying to call me on
my home number instead of calling Terri’s cell phone. They said he
had just passed at 8:42 a.m. We went to his room to gather up a few
things and then left without saying anything. He was still laying
there like we left him the night before. It was strange, but we knew
that he was Home at last. I asked at the desk if I had any papers to
sign and they said that everything had been taken care of. So we
thanked them and left.
We contacted Steve and Sandi and they tried
to get us a rental car to drive home. We went to the Family House to
pack and check out, But we found out later that there were no rental
cars in the area. I called Cathy Bell and she said she could come,
but it would take two hours to get there. We packed our luggage in a
spare room and went over to the cafeteria for lunch. Cathy came
about 3:00 p.m. and we arrived home by 5:00 p.m. I called Nat to
tell him that I was home and Dale’s Home; we’re just living in
different homes.
Dale’s journey on this earth has ended, but
it has just begun in Heaven in his forever Home with Jesus, His Lord
and Savior.
My Story Continues
From December 14 to January
2024
I didn’t go to church before I left to spend
Christmas with my Florida family. Sandi drove her mother and me
down. We spent one night in a motel and were in Lake Helen a couple
of days before Christmas. Steve and I went to the Christmas Eve
service in Deland. We also watched some of their favorite Christmas
movies. It was great being with all his family including Winnie,
their first grandchild. We all shared a great Christmas dinner. I
pulled a great prank when asked to say grace. I got the idea from
one of their movies. They were surprised, but laughed before I had a
real blessing. After dinner I read some of my writings. We shared
gifts and I received a beautiful heart-shaped necklace with Dale’s
and my photo. We took many photos. Zack told me I was so peaceful,
which was a blessing to me.
After Christmas I went to visit Russ and his
family in Deland, about one-half hour from Steve’s home. On Sunday
Russ took me to the same Methodist church in which Steve and I were
on Christmas Eve. After church we had brunch at a small restaurant
and then he took me on a scenic drive to parts of the town I had
never seen. While there, we went for many neighborhood walks and
shared several delicious meals with his granddaughter, her husband,
P.J., and Russ’s son, Kevin. Russ and I watched many of the old
“Frazier” movies we both liked.
He took me to some of the nature places where
Dale and I liked to go to enjoy the outdoors, which weren’t too far
from his house. We had a really great visit.
On December 30th Russ and I met
Steve and his family in one of their favorite restaurants to
celebrate Steve’s 70th birthday. They served birthday
cake after our meal, and Steve opened his gifts. They took photos
and all of us enjoyed the party.
Arter about two weeks it was time to pack for
our trip home. Steve drove Sandi, her mom, and me to Orlando
airport; this is a very large place. Sandi’s mom and I rode in
wheelchairs, and they pushed us very fast. We landed in Charleston,
West Virginia, where their friend Rick picked us up. We stopped at
the Cracker Barrel near Parkersburg for our evening meal before our
arrival home on January ___, 2023.
I had not done much decorating for Christmas,
so I didn’t have much to put away. The first Sunday I went to Church
after Dale went to heaven, I asked Terri if she would go with me. I
thanked my church family for their prayers and cards. I also told
them that Jesus bore our griefs and sorrows, and He did bear mine
because I was too weak.
The family wanted me to set a date for Dale’s
celebration. Since Dale’s 91st birthday was on Saturday,
March 11th, we checked with the minister and the church, and the
date was open. Everyone from coast to coast could start making their
plans. Terri and I enjoyed planning the celebration.
On March 6th Kristina flew into
Columbus, Ohio, and Cathy Bell drove me to pick her up. We shared a
meal at Bob Evans when we arrived in Parkersburg. On March 22, 2023,
we held our Celebration of Life for Dale in Wayside United Methodist
Church in Vienna, West Virginia. The services started at 11:00 a.m.
playing one of Dale’s favorite songs, “Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold
This Body Down.” Pastor Jeremy had the opening greeting and prayer.
I was glad I could honor my husband, Dale Flinn, with this
celebration, and tell some of the highlights of our 71 years of
marriage. This included
65 years in the photography business, many scenic motorcycle trips,
and one two-week trip to Ireland, which included a stay in a castle
on the night of our 25th anniversary. We had a very
blessed and exciting life. Many of our family and friends were there
for the Celebration of the Life of Dale Flinn.
The granddaughters Kristina and Nikki did a
wonderful job telling the memories of their Grandpa. My brother,
Russ, and our neighbor, Billie Jo, told their stories. Pastor
Jeremy, even though he had only been at our church a short time, was
able to relate details about Dale’s life he had heard from stories I
had told, and also from one of our former ministers. He also read
Scriptures from Psalm 91 and John. Kristina read a beautiful poem.
The service closed with the song “What a Wonderful World,” while
showing family slides. Pastor Jeremy had a blessing over our meal
before we went downstairs to the reception hall.
It was decorated with an Irish theme using
green and white colors, shamrocks on each table, and Irish music in
the background. We served some of Dale’s favorite food, mashed
potatoes, meatballs, chicken tenders, green beans, veggie trays and
a large 91st birthday cake for dessert. This was a great
celebration, and many memories were shared.
I want to thank Pastor Jeremy, Dar, and all
the office staff for their love and all the time and work spent to
make this special day a success. There were many others, including
Donna Vincent, who helped set up and find everything we needed, Joy
Varner and her special music, and John and Stephanie Sheppard with
the sound system and Irish music. A big thank you to Lindsey Schall
and family, who prepared and served our delicious meal. Thanks to
all who attended.
A few members of the family stopped by to
visit that evening, and several came to have lunch at my house on
Sunday, March 12th. Russ and Kristina stayed at my house,
and Steve’s family stayed at a motel in the area. Sandi and Russ
flew back to Florida on March 14th.
Steve stayed with a friend
for a few days and stopped by for short visits until he drove back
to Florida.
Kristina had rented a car while she was here,
so we planned a trip to the Amish country on March 15th.
Kristina, Nikki , Terri, and I enjoyed eating a great Amish meal and
taking in some very interesting stores. The weather was good, and we
really had a great trip. We also took some photos.
Kristina went with me to church on March 19th,
and was surprised there were so few people attending now. They had
just started returning since COVID. It was a very cold morning, and
I wore my winter cape. Arianna came home with us, and Kristina took
more photos of us outdoors.
Kristina, Terri, and Brooklyn picked me up
after my Wayside brunch at Texas Roadhouse on March 21st.
We headed for the Columbus airport to catch Kristina’s flight home.
We turned the rental car in when we returned to Parkersburg.
My life had changed, and I would have to
adjust to a new normal. I will be writing about highlights in the
next nine months.
I have a very close friend, Deloris Sears. I
met her several years ago when she and I were helping my photography
friend, Phyllis. Deloris and Phyllis went to high school together,
and after the death of Phyllis’s husband, she moved to Florida to be
with family. Deloris was also a widow, so we shared several meals at
my home or Wendy’s. She lived in South Parkersburg and attended a
Methodist church there. We enjoyed sharing our Christian faith and
attended a couple movies in 2023.
On May 17th, Rick Sawyer
celebrated his 77th birthday. We went to the Cool Spot
Restaurant in Ohio for lunch and then visited Tom Stahl in his art
studio.
On May 18th, Terri and I met Donna
Lee Bauman, our first bride to be photographed,
for lunch at the mall. We had a good visit, and she asked me, “Are
you afraid to stay by yourself?” I looked at her and said, “I hadn’t
even thought of that.” Then I remembered that I had never lived
alone. My first 17 years were with my parents and brothers, and
the next 71 years were with Dale. I tell others I live alone
but am never lonely.
On May 21st Terri and I attended a
Celebration of Life for Deloris’s son, Douglas Sears, who had gone
to his forever home with Jesus on May 19, 2021. He was living in
Texas and had a brain tumor, and the family had a service for him
there. But his mother wanted one in Parkersburg since he had grown
up there. Doug was a very good artist and many of his pieces of art
were on display at the church.
Deloris invited us to share dinner with them
at Jimmy Colombo’s after the service. We enjoyed meeting and
visiting with more of the family members. They also included us in
the large family photo.
The first of June I was listening to the
Christian group Flash Point. They were holding a meeting near
Columbus, Ohio. A group of men who made the movie “The Sound of
Freedom” were telling about the millions of women and children, even
as young as three years old, being sold as sex slaves in this
country. This upset me so much that I wrote a letter to God on June
11th asking Him how I can bring restoration and sanity
back to this beloved country of yours and mine. He reminded me, “You
are the storyteller, so follow your heart.”
I wrote the letter and story on my friend Deloris’s 85th
birthday. She told me it was a very convincing letter. I told the
Bible story about how a young shepherd boy named David killed a
giant named Goliath, then David became the king. He was not a
perfect man, but David was chosen by God. Just as our modern-day
David, Donald J. Trump, is not a perfect man, but he has been chosen
by God. The question is, will he be able to take down the huge, evil
giant who is trying to destroy our beloved country? The answer is
now in your hand. I believe this was written for such a time as
this.
On July 4th I turned 90 years old.
I decided to make my own birthday cake, which was coconut. I used
Grandma’s Teflon pans, but both layers stuck in the pans, and I had
to patch the cake together with the icing and coconut. Terri took
photos of me and my cake, which traveled around the country. We had
a cookout at Jackson Park with the family. Including Rick and
Nancie. Kristina surprised me with a tape of birthday greetings from
family and friends. It was a day I will always remember. Also, on
July 27th we went to Olive Garden to celebrate the July
birthdays: Jean, Andy, Terri, and Arianna. Seth was with us also.
After a delicious meal, they gave us desserts to celebrate our
birthdays. Brooklyn and Cameron were both on a youth trip.
August was another family birthday month. We
celebrated Brooklyn’s 17th on August 7th and
Cameron’s 16th on August 9th.
Ray Flinn had his 76th
birthday on August 10th at his West Virginia home near
Lewisburg. Our first cousin, Clifford Conrad, celebrated his 90th
birthday with his family in Rockport, West Virginia, on August 18th.
I attended an 80th birthday party at Wayside on August 19th,
for a long-time member and friend, Phyllis Brown. Also, our church
family shared a covered dish meal at 6 p.m. on August 30th.
September was a busy month at Wayside
celebrating our 100th birthday. We had special speakers
for three Sundays, Sandy Runnion, Joe Keaston, and Mike Richards. We
had a large display of photos and other items in The Crossing. On
Sunday, September 24th, there was a large group
photograph in the Buyer Center by Dave Coleman, a close friend of
Dale and me. Since I had attended Wayside the longest time (65
years) I was asked to say a few words for the local TV station. This
was a great celebration, and many of Dale’s photos were on display.
On September 25th Seth celebrated
his 11th birthday by going to his first carnival. He rode
many rides and had a blast! Arianna, Brooklyn, Terri, and I were
there too. I wanted to ride the carousel and was standing there with
tickets in my hand, and Arianna was already on the horse. The man
would not let me get on, and I told him that I wasn’t going to jump
on a horse, but ride in a seat. It still was no. Terri didn’t know
the reason either, and I was very disappointed!
Nancie celebrated her 74th
birthday on September 26th. Terri and I took her to
Applebee’s for lunch. Our cousin, Clifford Conrad, died suddenly at
his log home in Rockport, West Virginia, On September 30th,
and his Celebration of Life was on November 4th.
On October 7th there was a savage
attack on Israel with many Jews being killed, including babies.
Christians around the world are praying for Israel and the Jewish
people.
Since Dale went to Heaven on December 13,
2022, I kept wondering why I wasn’t missing him after 71 years of
marriage. God knew I had some questions, so on October 9th
the Holy Spirit revealed to me that Dale and I are one in the Spirit
in Christ Jesus. Also, what I have been enjoying these past months
is just a portion of the greater peace and joy that Dale now has in
Heaven. This has brought me understanding and comfort. When I shared
this with my granddaughter, Kristina, she said, “Grandma, Grandpa
always shared everything with you when he was here on earth. What
makes you think he would stop now?”
On November 4th Terri and I
attended the Celebration of Life for our cousin Clifford Conrad at
the South Parkersburg funeral home. They showed many photos and
slides shows with family and friends. We greeted Ruth, his wife, and
their four daughters. Several relatives told of their memories of
their beloved father and uncle. After the service, we were invited
to the Flinn Party House to share a meal with the family. This was
the house that Dale’s father helped build and lived in with his
family. This house is still in the Flinn family and has been used
for Flinn reunions and parties for many years. We enjoyed our day
with the family.
November 5th was All Saints Sunday
at Wayside Church where they honor all those who have gone to heaven
in the past year. They show photos and light a candle for each one.
Dale was in that group and his photo was with his camera.
On November 23rd was Wayside’s
Thanksgiving dinner where many of our members prepare and serve
dinner to the community. Terri and I decided we would go this year.
I invited my friend Deloris since her son was out of town. She said
she would pick me up in her truck and we would meet Terri and her
family there. We had a table of nine and my friend Cheryl helped
serve us. All of us enjoyed our meal, and Deloris took several
photos of the family. She took me home in her truck and had a short
visit. I showed her some photos that Phillis and I took on our Texas
trip. She copied some of those.
On December 10th we had our annual
Christmas dinner at Wayside Church with the children’s play
afterward. Seth was one of the shepherds, Arianna was one of the
sheep, and Brooklyn was Mary, the mother of Jesus in the play.
(Cameron was not in it.)
On December 12th the Agape group
had our Christmas party at Coleen’s house. Karen , Cheryl, Terri,
and I sat at one table. We had a large group and plenty of good
food. I read a short devotion, and we played games.
Terri got sick on December 22nd
and was very sick for the next four days. I was feeding her bananas
and Jello, and Kristina started her on a special drink to help her
get through Christmas. I helped wrap packages and cook dinner. On
December 26th she went to the hospital and was given 17
bags of fluid since her blood pressure was very low. She was
released from the hospital on December 29th in the
evening.
January 1, 2024: Ending of the Story
I received a telephone call about 9 p.m. on
January 1. My friend Delore’s name came up on the phone. I thought
it was a little strange that she was calling so late, but I thought
her family had left after Christmas and she wanted to make plans to
spend some time with me. I answered by saying, “Hi, Deloris,” and
the answer came back, “This is her daughter, and I am sorry to be so
late in calling you, but my mom died suddenly on the evening of
December 29th. Her two grandsons had just left that same
day to go home, and we had to contact them to turn around.” She told
me her mom and grandsons had been to the City Park a couple of days
before and had a great time. The service was planned for Thursday,
January 4th. Terri and I were there with the family. I
shared some of my memories with my special Christian friend, Deloris
Sears.
I will
always cherish Deloras’s love and friendship. I praise God she is
now in her Forever Home with Jesus and her beloved husband and son.
