Sadness in my life

**AnnieBikes** · 06-28-2009, 12:17 PM

This post was originally on the Virginia Rides thread but I am starting a new one.

I had a great 5 days at Bike Virginia but came home to devastating news... a terrible family tragedy, the death of the wife of a VERY close first cousin of my DH. She drowned in South Holston Lake (on the Bike Virginia route last year) on Tuesday night and they have not recovered her body yet. She apparently fell after docking the boat at their slip, and while covering the boat. They are guessing that she fell, hit her head, and was knocked out, and drowned.

Her 14 yr. old son and a friend were there but had gone to the dock store to get a bite to eat and when she did not come to the car to meet them, went out to the slip and saw her purse and keys but not her. Such a terrible thing to happen. The whole family is absolutely distraught. She was 55 and a financial officer for the United Way in Johnson City, TN. My sister-in-law and I have fixed dinner for everyone who is in town but the wait for the inevitable is absolutely beyond imagination. We have been together as only a family can do to support each other. They have used cameras, deep divers (it is 200 feet at the marina), and sensors but have not had any luck since Tuesday night at finding her. They have now made three deep water dives with expert deep water divers but as of today, still no luck. Everyone is waiting and waiting for closure but so far, none.

The sadness here is just too overwhelming to think about.

**maillotpois** · 06-28-2009, 12:27 PM

I'm so sorry.

**KathiCville** · 06-28-2009, 12:38 PM

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that her body hasn't yet been recovered!! I saw your original posting earlier last week and hoped that by now things would have been somewhat settled (albeit sadly for all concerned). My heart goes out to you and your family!

**Tri Girl** · 06-28-2009, 12:41 PM

Oh that's horrible news. I'm so sorry.

**crazycanuck** · 06-28-2009, 12:47 PM

I'm sorry to hear

Thoughts are with your family

**badger** · 06-28-2009, 01:15 PM

I'm sorry for you and your family's loss.

**shootingstar** · 06-28-2009, 01:20 PM

I'm sorry for your loss. Your tangible support during this tough time will be most appreciated.

A first cousin in San Francisco drowned at 18 yrs. Apparently he was a strong swimmer. My aunt never truly got over her grief.

**easterbird** · 06-28-2009, 01:24 PM

I was on BikeVA but even though we didn't meet,I wanted to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and her family. I am so sad for the loss of her life.

from a fellow biker of BikeVA

**OakLeaf** · 06-28-2009, 02:54 PM

I'm so sorry.

**ASammy1** · 06-28-2009, 02:58 PM

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. I will keep you in my thought.

**Tuckervill** · 06-28-2009, 03:15 PM

That's horrible. Is it possible that someone took her, instead? I'm sorry for your loss.

Karen

**Aggie_Ama** · 06-28-2009, 04:24 PM

((Annie)) Stay strong but take time to grieve. This is a horrible waiting game and I wish you the best.

**BabyBlueNTulsa** · 06-28-2009, 04:50 PM

Awful... My thoughts and prayers are with you and her family.

**msincredible** · 06-28-2009, 10:03 PM

Sorry to hear that terrible news.

**AnnieBikes** · 06-29-2009, 05:25 AM

Thank you all for your notes of support and love! They have had deep water certified divers but they can only make a dive per 12 hours and it is so dangerous for them. Today they plan to try sonar, kind of like an ultrasound where the sound waves bounce off things and give a picture. A couple of our relatives had to go back to work so returned home to Georgia and Nevada.

Tuckervill, they have actually explored that possibility but her shoes, purse, and car keys were on the boat still and it is a private dock, so the theory is still that she fell and hit her head. It is just not the kind of place where abduction would happen, I don't think. We had a boat there for years, until the kids all moved away, and there was hardly even a hint of crime or even a life jacket being stolen! They are not discounting anything, however.

The hard part is that it is the July 4th week and there is alot of boat traffic through the area. Everyone is praying that this ordeal is over soon. Who knows, though? Life goes on, but everyone at the marina knows the family as many of us have had, or have boats there. The son of the original owner is the owner now and knows our family well. It is very hard for him, too. He has done well ordering the camera and news people away from the family. It is just too hard right now.

Again, I do so appreciate all the kind notes. Bless you ALL. This is such a wonderful, supportive forum.

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