Dear Auntie Jane and Family, you have my deepest condolences during this time of great loss. I'm praying for Uncle Duane and all of you. I was thinking that if there were a dress code for his funeral mass, it would be khakis, white button down shirts and Topsiders. I never see a Volkswagen bug without thinking of my uncle Duane's 60s bright red VW Beetle with the black convertible top, appropriately named Chigger. I have a vivid childhood memory of being in a park or some other wooded area, where we all went on a hike and had to cross a ditch on the way back. I can't remember how deep the ditch was, but as a child it seemed a treacherous one! Everyone else was able to either walk or shimmy across the large drainpipe that extended over the ditch. When it came my turn to cross, I literally froze and could not get across. Uncle Duane coached and cheered me on, and then saw that I was genuinely scared. He then lovingly explained that I could indeed make it, and gave me the courage to cross over. He even called me "Tuffy" -- one of the nicknames for his girls. I will grieve the loss of this wonderful, caring, intelligent and fun-loving uncle, and always cherish my memories of him. You all are in my prayers for healing and peace.
Teresa Burns Clark
