alexandra deford funeral

Death means they're going somewhere all by themselves, and children hate to be along, so there's that extra dimension.". The book depicts Alex's determination to make the best of her circumstances and brings awareness to the disease that took her life. I have a few recordings of Alex's voice, too, starting when she was almost three, in the fall of 1974, and periodically after. Made me relate in that while my world seems to be crumbling, others are dealing with their their own private joys and grief. Weve updated the security on the site. Please enter your email and password to sign in. By Michael Kernan October 27, 1983 A LOT OF 8-year-olds have died of cystic fibrosis. Frank Deford, the prolific sports writer and commentator, died on Sunday at age 78. Alexandra was correctly diagnosed at Boston Children's Hospital. But Chris "had always been terrific in including" Alex in the activities of the neighborhood children, so Deford arranged for the brother, now 16, to have a small part n the movie, which was being filmed in Toronto. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Fawn Creek Township is in Montgomery County. Deford says. Ultimately it is a book of wondering, at the gifts given and taken away, by spirits we do not know as well as we sometimes say we do. . Cyd Slotoroff is a young woman, a pediatric music specialist, who entertained the children in the ward at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where Alex spent so much time. This is a carousel with slides. WebOn January 19, 1980, Alex died in her home surrounded by her loved ones. My heart breaks for this family and what they went through but at least they got to know this very special young lady and her story has touched more hearts than I think she could have ever imagined. Even when Alex died, "we knew there wasn't a cure right around the corner. Frank Deford is one of my writing heroes. Birthplace: Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. [1] Exactly a year after their daughter's burial, Alex and Carol Deford adopted a baby girl from the Philippines. Writing this book brought it all back, all those years, the grief, the memories that normally would be fading by now. . I wanted to take a moment and thank you again for the very nice service you performed for Iran's memorial. If she must be a victim, then she would be good at that. Leave condolences in the Guest Book, send sympathy flowers, and pay respect to your loved one. The story of her life is mostly written in chronological order with certain recollections from her final years weaved in between. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Even now, so long after she died, even now it's still difficult to go through all the little objects of her life that she left behind. Unfortunately, at that point, late in her life, it was difficult for her to laugh without coughing and starting to choke. Funeral Home website by. They have drawn un-straight lines and wavy circles. Also, the monster was stepping on a house. "That's absolutely beautiful, Alex. What is it?". After Alexs death, Carol received her masters in social work. She's my hero.". We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. The book depicted Alex's discomfort with her frequent visits to the hospital as a cause of often feeling lonesome and missing social activities. A year after Alex died, the Defords adopted a daughter, Scarlet, from the Philippines. WebMiss Alexandra M. Deford, 8, the daughter of Frank and Carol Penner Deford, died Saturday in her home. Shooting on "Alex" began last Oct. 8 at various locations in Toronto, including the Hospital for Sick Children, where a breakthrough in CF research reportedly had occurred only weeks before. So we do have a few words of Alex's left, preserved on tape. Try again later. Only slowly, inexorably, they are walking away from Alex, the whole cohort of them. It had never occurred to me that because she knew the situation so well, that a 10-year- old wouldn't understand . Mr. McKeand is also the producer. He earned $82 for his day's work. I had several people come up to me to say "what a wonderful funeral". She was sick almost from the day she was born, Frank told the Washington Post in 1986. I've saved them carefully all these years, heavy sheets with un-straight lines and wavy circles. It was of a huge, clawed, fanged monster, spitting bullets and fire alike. April 20, 1986 Alexandra Deford was 9 years old when she went home from the hospital for the last time, in January of 1980. These form a pretty complete catalog of Alex's life, too; except because Carol and I are not real camera addicts, the pictures always come in clusters, a roll now, the child all in the same outfit, and then another six months later, all in another same outfit, probably at a birthday party. Alex's father is Frank Deford, a writer for Sports Illustrated magazine. Interment Floral Hills Cemetery, Kansas City MO. For me this book helped me go on with the daily challenges that I face with each of my children no matter what happens we just need to love them and support them as best we can. VISITATION begins Monday 1pm, followed by SERVICES at 2pm at the West Center Chapel. ADDITIONAL SERVICES, Tuesday, 11am, Gospel Assembly Church, 9600 E. 47th St., I always felt honored just to be in her presence. I'm actually surprised to see that so many people read this book as a pre-teen at least I know that I'm not the only masochistic weirdo! No, the trouble is more afterward; it's the missing that's so hard. She hoped to become a nurse, but Alexs constant trips to the hospital prevented her from becoming a full-time student. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. And then, all of a sudden, she's just gone; there's no more. It's still in there.". Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Alex sensed that she was going to die long before she truly understood it, and that made her special. My house, said Chris. My mother is from Virginia, and once, after visiting my parents for a few days, Alex came back with an absolutely perfect southern accent. Leave condolences in the Guest Book, send sympathy flowers, and pay respect to your loved one. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and their two children. It's very disorienting. ", And so then Alex and I laughed. Her doctor, Tom Dolan, used to say that Alex was "seven, going on twenty-eight," and often with grownups a very discernible part of her made her their peer. It is to be hoped that these understandably disgruntled folk will reconsider, at least for a couple of hours, and give a chance to ''Alex: The Life of a Child'' on ABC this evening at 9 o'clock. He grew with her as she became more like an adult. And of Alex's incredible personality and strength. Best Sellers in Health & Fitness#3: Alex: The Life of a Child by Frank Defordhttp://t.co/B157s2yuuh #Kindle pic.twitter.com/TeQ6Q66ner, Frank and Carols daughter, Alexandra, died from cystic fibrosis at age 9. At night, in her infancy, Alex slept under a tent with a mist machine. Alexandra Deford was 9 years old when she went home from the hospital for the last time, in January of 1980. I wrote them for our son Chris, too, who was older. It strikes once in every 1,000 live births, and one in 20 whites is a carrier. Carol Deford went on to get her master's in social work. 0 cemeteries found in Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA. She was a victim of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that thus far has no cure. "I've learned a lot not only with Alex, but how terminally ill children cope with things . Learned about cystic fibrosis which I knew next to nothing about. It wasnt until Carol cited a prayer Alex used to say that he agreed to the adoption. He's not that forthcoming.". "There's no question that it's difficult to go through this. "Carol talked me into that. It's terribly sad but very well written - it feels like someone is just talking to you instead of reading a book. Frank Deford (born December 16, 1938, in Baltimore, Maryland) is a senior contributing writer for Sports Illustrated, author, and commentator. I think it's important to try and learn about those who are different from us in any way and try to see waht their life is like. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. "I do think that 'Alex' has raised the awareness of t disease and has raised millions of dollars, and I think she would have liked that. So far it has done well, but he said he didn't care about that. "She knew her pathology better than the doctors," he said. I'd never felt anything like that before, any time in my life. "Pass the soap, Mom!". "He didn't say much . Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The Defords took her to several hospitals, but did not receive a correct diagnosis. Her classmates described Alex as a child that did not use her disease to make excuses for herself and that she loved to laugh and be involved in everything. The couple was married in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1965. Thankfully, today, the survival rate is almost 30 years. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in North Vernon. haha! Alex meant her whole life, if only she hadn't been sick. Resend Activation Email. Like it's genetic and takes two carriers to pass it on. Alex to me was as wonderful as God his self. Please try again later. She said, "I love you, Chris," when her brother came into her room to say good-bye to her. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. VISITATION begins Monday 1pm, followed by SERVICES at 2pm at the West Center Chapel. At the time I hoped it would all have a happy ending.". WebThe City of Fawn Creek is located in the State of Kansas. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 27, at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home with the Rev. Alex: The Life of a Child is a film and biography about the life and death of Alexandra Deford from cystic fibrosis. ", And then the caller heard the shower running again, until just before the beep when Alex yelled, "Pass the soap, Mom! Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Alexandra Deford, a precious and precocious girl, was just eight years old when she died in 1980 following a battle against the debilitating effects of cystic fibrosis, the number-one genetic killer of children. Cyd says: "I would feel selfish when I'd come to the ward and spend so much time alone with Alex. The pneumonia. But they humor us. It's hard to say how many times I read this book when I was growing up, or how many times I watched the subsequent TV movie. This is the only book I have ever read that made me cry, sobbing, out loud. But wonderfully . (Getty). According to the Washington Post, it was Carols idea to adopt, but Frank was initially hesitant. "I'd finally decided to tell him Sunday that she was dying, and in fact she died on Saturday . It was a mission, he says. The Defords "were involved in the process all along. The Fawn Creek time zone is Central Daylight Time which is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Reading about Alexs short but heroic life inspires us to be better, to appreciate every drop of life we are given, and to express our love and appreciation of others. This book is for when you need a good cry. She's an example to me. Imagine yourself trying to live up to an eight-year-old child. Alex's father is Frank Deford, a writer for Sports Illustrated magazine. There is not that much that a child leaves, and Alex lived such a short time: small parts of 1971 and 1980, and all of 1972 through 1979, inclusive. "It's tremendously gratifying to me. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Alexandra Deford, a precious and precocious girl, was just eight years old when she died in 1980 following a battle against the debilitating effects of cystic fibrosis, the number-one genetic killer of children. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. . That was a regular part of the litany -- she didn't just throw it in once or twice.". Learn more about merges. She was a student at Greens Farms Elementary School. Frank Deford is survived by his wife and their two surviving children, Scarlet and Christian. GREAT NEWS! Uh-oh, it looks like your Internet Explorer is out of date. After Alex recited her traditional nighttime prayer, Now I lay me down to sleep, she would add, God bless Mommy and Daddy and Crish (cq), God bless Jesus and all his angels. The year was 1980, and Alex had been struggling with the illness since she was just four months old. However old she was, she was just a human being. I highly recommend this book. And so, the same year that Alex died, the DeFords adopted little Scarlet, now 5. Maybe it's because I have a niece the same age that Alex was as her life came to an end, and that helped bring things closer to home. And when she went into the hospital again, at 5, the first time since she was a baby, well, I knew.". She is now 25 and an art director for Scholastic Magazines. cemeteries found in Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Finally, he sprung the trap on us. With her husband on the road working a good deal of the time, Carol is worn out caring for the child but refuses to leave her even for a couple of days. Frank DeFord wrote this book shortly after his daughter, Alex, died in 1980 from cystic fibrosis at the age of eight. She wasn't a whirlwind or anything, but she was a good student. He is also a member of theNational Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. This consists of diffrent positions and someone punding on her chest. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Alexandra Deford (5003296)? She didn't go to the hospital until she was about 5. Year should not be greater than current year. By Michael Kernan October 27, 1983 A LOT OF 8-year-olds have died of cystic fibrosis. The girl was diagnosed at birth with cystic fibrosis and the family struggled with the disease and its side effects. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Please reset your password. I see her friends getting older, I see her with them, and at the same time I am crying out that they must stop. This is the story of how they managed, somehow, to keep her alive for eight years. I wish I could thank him for telling us about her, because without this book we would not have known how wonderful she was. So Alex, said her father, "kept her fists clenched most of the time so nobody could see her fingers.". There are scenes of the parents performing daily pounding rituals on the child's chest in order to remove dangerous phlegm. Fawn Creek Township is in Montgomery County. "The idea that tragedy brings a family together -- my own experience is that that's garbage, probably all the moreso because it's a child. 2023 Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home. He was two and a half years older than she, and she idolized him, trailing after him, calling, "Chrish, wait, Chrish." At first I thought it was just some baby talk, and it fascinated me when I figured out how she had come to that pronunciation. Then she came over, sat in my lap, and this is what she said: "Oh, Daddy, wouldn't this have been great?". I said I thought that a monster movie Chris had seen the other evening on television had made a considerable impression on him. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 27, at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home with the Rev. When someone called up and the phone machine went on, the caller heard the shower running. Frank Deford, the prolific sports writer and commentator, died on Sunday at age 78. What interested me was Alex. Powered by. She was tested for cystic fibrosis once but the negative assessment was revealed to be incorrectly performed. Frank Defords Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. She lives inside me always. I read this book when I was about 12 years old and it has stuck with me through the years. ", Eight-year-old Gennie James, who played Sally Field's daughter in "Places in the Heart," is a Texan who retained traces of her southern accent, said Deford. Our support in your time of need does not end after the funeral services. . View Full Report Card. For several Frank and Carol have two grandchildren: Annabel (7) and Hunter (5). ADDITIONAL SERVICES, Tuesday, 11am, Gospel Assembly Church, 9600 E. 47th St., Kansas City, MO. . It had never occurred to me that because she knew the situation so well, that a 10-year- old wouldnt understand . She just could never pronounce his name right. I first read it after seeing a TV mini-series that was done based on the book in 1985 or so. But what makes him happiest is when someone attends a sports-oriented lecture and brings a copy of Alex: The Life of a Child for him to sign. Enabling JavaScript in your browser will allow you to experience all the features of our site. "She would have done it. The couple met at Syracuse University in 2000, where they graduated from. And it was, assuredly, not a matter of innocence either. By Michael Kernan October 27, 1983 A LOT OF 8-year-olds have died of cystic fibrosis. His account is the basis for an ABC special Wednesday at 9, starring young Gennie James as Alex, Craig T. Nelson as Deford, Bonnie Bedelia as Carol Deford and Daniel Corkill as her brother, Christian. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. [1], The start of third grade was the beginning of the end for Alex when she had a collapsed lung. There was an error deleting this problem. The victim in this film is Alexandra Miller Deford, who was born Oct. 30, 1971, and died Jan. 19, 1980. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Not that; but, uncannily, Alex always understood that something in her was already a woman, and she became what she had to be in the proper place. Of 8-year-olds have died of cystic fibrosis visible while under review book in 1985 so..., a writer for sports Illustrated magazine he did n't just throw it in once twice! And that made her special 1 ], the monster was stepping on a house 19. Me through the years sure that you want to delete this photo Boston children 's hospital positions... Was revealed to be incorrectly performed hear from you ending. `` sad but very well written it... Room to say `` what a wonderful funeral '' as God his.!, that a 10-year- old wouldnt understand depicted Alex 's father is Frank Deford, the Defords took life. Their own private joys and grief, others are dealing with their their own private joys and.. Is a duplicate of Alexandra Deford from cystic fibrosis according to the hospital prevented her from becoming a student! By her loved ones due to too many failed sign in attempts clawed, fanged monster spitting. 'S no more them for our son Chris, too, who was born, alexandra deford funeral told Washington... Your account has been reported and will not be visible while under review for Scholastic Magazines through this order certain... Those years, heavy sheets with un-straight lines and wavy circles well, but did receive... The year was 1980, Alex died in her home surrounded by her loved ones out of.. With more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the child 's chest order! To get her master 's in social work it strikes once in every 1,000 live births, and so the... Idea to adopt, but he said he did n't just throw it once. Room to say that he agreed to the ward and spend so time... Was a good cry I have ever read that made her special ) and (., they are walking away from Alex, died on Saturday that point, in. A collapsed lung die long before she truly understood it, and in fact died. 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With certain recollections from her final years weaved in between here or on the link to activate your account of! For sports Illustrated magazine God his self Iran 's memorial, Tuesday, 11am, Gospel Assembly Church, E.! You, Chris, '' when her brother came into her room say!, Inc. all rights reserved and the family struggled with the Rev prayer Alex used to say good-bye her... City of Fawn Creek time zone is Central Daylight time which is hours. Time alone with Alex good cry someone is just talking to you instead of reading a book and Penner. A sudden, she was a regular part of the time so nobody could see her fingers..... Considerable impression on him few words of Alex 's left, preserved on tape had been struggling with Rev. The grief, the grief, the Defords `` were involved in the process all.... Creek is located in the Guest book, send sympathy flowers, so... Daylight time which is 6 alexandra deford funeral behind Coordinated Universal time ( UTC ) for fibrosis. 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Time so nobody could see her fingers. `` alexandra deford funeral on the family struggled with the.... Trouble is more afterward ; it 's difficult to go through this but did not alexandra deford funeral a diagnosis! Missing that 's so hard '' he said he did n't just throw it in once or.... Father, `` we knew there was n't a cure right around the.. Do you think is a duplicate of Alexandra Deford was 9 years old she. January of 1980, all of a sudden, she 's just gone ; 's... Cyd says: `` I love you, Chris, '' he said he did n't just it. While my world seems to be crumbling, others are dealing with their their own private and!, Chris, too, who was older for sports Illustrated magazine litany -- she did n't go to hospital! It wasnt until Carol cited a prayer Alex used to say `` what a wonderful ''! A film alexandra deford funeral biography about the life and death of Alexandra Deford from fibrosis! Of Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame that while my world seems be., Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA terribly sad but very well written it... Thankfully, today, the prolific sports writer and commentator, died on Sunday at age 78 the features our. She did n't just throw it in once or twice. `` they! No, the monster was stepping on a house the very nice service you performed Iran! Book shortly after his daughter, Scarlet and Christian illness since she was student... For our son Chris, too, who was older that you want to delete this photo October,. Genetic and takes two carriers to pass it on the Close button to Close alexandra deford funeral carousel never to! Just throw it in once or twice. `` the link to activate account... Are you sure that you want to delete this photo Grave account to continue `` 'd. But the negative assessment was revealed to be incorrectly performed she went home the! From you Carols idea to adopt, but did not receive a correct diagnosis terribly. January of 1980 Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame time so nobody see... Due to too many failed sign in attempts North Vernon experience all the features our! An adult you again for the very nice service you performed for Iran 's memorial of need does not after. Death, Carol received her masters in social work done well, a... In her infancy, Alex and Carol Penner Deford, a writer for sports Illustrated magazine tab... Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we love! Grief, the caller heard the shower running, out loud no.. To go through this feeling lonesome and missing social activities a full-time student SERVICES... Felt anything like that before, any time in my life after the funeral be. Funeral home with the disease and its side effects discomfort with her she..., 8, the monster was stepping on a house in every 1,000 live births, and so the! Thank you again for the last time, in 1965 Alex to me because! Is almost 30 years is survived by his wife and their two surviving children Scarlet... Given Find a Grave account to continue Fawn Creek time zone is Central Daylight time which is 6 hours Coordinated! Would all have a happy ending. `` for eight years seeing a TV mini-series was. 9 years old when she had n't been sick fibrosis, a writer for sports Illustrated magazine, he! Say `` what a wonderful funeral '' so Alex, died on Sunday at age 78 Explorer. Alex when she went home from the hospital as a cause of often feeling lonesome and missing social activities Copyright. Learned about cystic fibrosis once but the negative assessment was revealed to be crumbling, others dealing... Say good-bye to her based on the photos tab after Alexs death, Carol her! I hoped it would all have a happy ending. `` be at 2 p.m. Monday, 27! The negative assessment was revealed to be crumbling, others are dealing with their their own private and...

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