Courage, Hope and Faith

The Dearden’s,

It is a mix of both sadness and joy that we write this.  It has been a joy to know Hugh and the entire Dearden family for the last eleven years.  While we know that Hugh has moved on to a better place, it seems like just yesterday that we were at a soccer tournament together and didn’t really value the limited time Hugh had left on this earth.

I’d like to share a story of Hugh that exemplifies him as the man he was and the man that lives on through his children. We were caravanning back from a tournament in California just six months ago.  We were all in a hurry to get home and it was getting late since the boys had played in the championship game.  We stopped to get gas and to take a quick break in St. George.  In Dianne’s typical friendly, unassuming way, she asked the troubled looking store clerk if she was okay.  The answer that came back was a bit of a surprise.  She had just been diagnosed with cancer.

With a little encouragement from Dianne, Hugh went into the store to tell the clerk of his story with cancer.  While I did not hear the conversation, I have no doubt that it was one of Courage, Hope, and Faith.  It didn’t matter that we had cars full of kids who were getting home late with school the next day and a 3.5 hour drive still in front of us, Hugh took the time to brighten someone’s day.  Whether it was his smile, a catch phrase (“what the fetch”), or some dry, witty humor, Hugh had a quiet way of making one’s day a little brighter.

Dianne, Daren, Jerry, Connor and Libby, as you go through this transition, please continue to move forward with Courage, Hope and Faith and know that you have many friends to help you all along the way. 

The Hintze’s