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Woman's love and inspiration will live on
BY: Lacey Lewis, Column Special to the Sun
It was a scene typical of that in many churches on a Sunday morning; Hundreds of people filled the auditorium. Piano, guitar, and the voices of adults and children sang out in harmony through strong emotion; so strong that many in the congregation were forced to weep.
However, it was a Friday afternoon, and it was not regular church Mass. That day the people had gathered for a “Celebration of Life” memorial service in honor of Danette Velez, 36, Olathe, who had passed away eight days earlier on the morning of Sept. 20. The warm voice leading the group of musicians was Danette's husband, Victor, and the soft, angelic singing that accompanied him came from the Velezes' three oldest daughters. They wrote this particular song together during the week since Danette's transition. It was titled “Please Don't Go.”
Danette was featured in The Sun last February, in an article highlighting her optimism and fortitude as she battled gestational trophoblastic disease, a rare form of cancer. While juggling weekly chemotherapy treatments, doctor's appointments, and their work load in youth ministry, Victor and Danette also home schooled their five children, Gabriele, Karmyn, Rachele, Ian and Angelica. The pressures seemed to pile on fast and furious; Victor's father became ill and passed away while Danette was in critical condition, then she was diagnosed, their car was totaled in an accident, and Danette's father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Meanwhile, the family was without health insurance coverage.
None of this stopped Danette from working to inspire others. She led workshops on finding hope and faith in the face of cancer and created journals with the intention of publishing a book to nurture the souls of those struggling with the disease. Even in her final days as friends and family would visit to comfort and nourish her, she instead would reassure and encourage them.
It was a surprise to many that Danette's body succumbed to cancer, even if they knew how her health had suddenly deteriorated. She stirred such optimism and hope in others that she made them feel that everything was right and good in the world, despite the hardships. Slowly, through words she left behind and messages relayed by friends and family, one came to feel that same inner peace that she embodied.
As Victor and the Velez children sang, one couldn't help but witness Danette's impact. What courage and depth the family must have to perform those songs that so eloquently described their sorrow, their fears, their joy and their love. Traditionally, people gather at such services in order to surround and comfort the grieving family. In their true fashion, the Velez family instead warmed and inspired all who attended the memorial service, and in this way Danette's love and inspiration will continue to be felt and shared for generations.
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However, it was a Friday afternoon, and it was not regular church Mass. That day the people had gathered for a “Celebration of Life” memorial service in honor of Danette Velez, 36, Olathe, who had passed away eight days earlier on the morning of Sept. 20. The warm voice leading the group of musicians was Danette's husband, Victor, and the soft, angelic singing that accompanied him came from the Velezes' three oldest daughters. They wrote this particular song together during the week since Danette's transition. It was titled “Please Don't Go.”
Danette was featured in The Sun last February, in an article highlighting her optimism and fortitude as she battled gestational trophoblastic disease, a rare form of cancer. While juggling weekly chemotherapy treatments, doctor's appointments, and their work load in youth ministry, Victor and Danette also home schooled their five children, Gabriele, Karmyn, Rachele, Ian and Angelica. The pressures seemed to pile on fast and furious; Victor's father became ill and passed away while Danette was in critical condition, then she was diagnosed, their car was totaled in an accident, and Danette's father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Meanwhile, the family was without health insurance coverage.
None of this stopped Danette from working to inspire others. She led workshops on finding hope and faith in the face of cancer and created journals with the intention of publishing a book to nurture the souls of those struggling with the disease. Even in her final days as friends and family would visit to comfort and nourish her, she instead would reassure and encourage them.
It was a surprise to many that Danette's body succumbed to cancer, even if they knew how her health had suddenly deteriorated. She stirred such optimism and hope in others that she made them feel that everything was right and good in the world, despite the hardships. Slowly, through words she left behind and messages relayed by friends and family, one came to feel that same inner peace that she embodied.
As Victor and the Velez children sang, one couldn't help but witness Danette's impact. What courage and depth the family must have to perform those songs that so eloquently described their sorrow, their fears, their joy and their love. Traditionally, people gather at such services in order to surround and comfort the grieving family. In their true fashion, the Velez family instead warmed and inspired all who attended the memorial service, and in this way Danette's love and inspiration will continue to be felt and shared for generations.