Condolences for
Daphne Hogstrom (Doward)

Thank you Kathy. Thank you.

She would say,"I love you, to the moon and stars and back again. Forever and always; forever and always." It sustains me now.

I think she felt this way about you as well. I so miss her voice.

Daphne and I were next door neighbors for 14 years until I moved away; we were friends for 29 years; and during that time, we became family. She was a combination of second Mom, sister, and friend to me. She was one of the most loving, giving, kind hearted people I have ever known.

She was a spiritual person, which showed up not just in her words, but in the way she lived her life. She was kind, loving, giving, uncomplaining, empathetic and balanced. Even if someone seemed rather odd or grumpy, she would always balance that observation with a kind or empathetic comment.

She loved a lively conversation on all sorts of interesting topics. Whether it be current events, politics, philosophy, movies, books or ideas, her sparkling eyes would light up at the exchange of views. She was energized by intellectual discussions.

Whenever Daphne would leave a message on my answering machine, it was always a lengthy message, where she would start off with “Dear Heart” in that lilting magical voice of hers. She would apologize throughout the message for taking up so much of my tape. She would end by laughing about her epic novels that she would leave on my machine. And by the time I finished listening to her message, I would be laughing as well, and feeling waves of love coming through her phone message.

I will always remember the Thanksgiving dinners we shared where she would say grace at the table; where she would commiserate with me about the challenges of cooking a big dinner; and where she would always praise my cooking (even if it wasn’t so great).

I will always remember her big beautiful hugs and kisses, her twinkling laughing eyes, and her great sense of humor.

I will always remember the last time I saw her. She was standing in her doorway, waving goodbye to me, blowing me kisses, and wishing me a wonderful vacation.

I will miss her and always love her.