November 2004
The Bayou Packet # 34
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This Very Special Edition is Dedicated to Betsy In Mawgan, England where “byroads twist rather more than seems strictly necessary,” there is a direful inscription in singsong words: Shall We All Dye
we shall dye all
all dye shall we
dye. all. we. shall.
My good wife, my friend, my love and my life for 32 years fought the hard fight for over three years before telling our friend Kim Pierce that: “She was ready to go.” And, about 5:15 in the morning of 01 November 2004, she did. She was in the ICU of Clear Lake Hospital in Webster Texas with an unknown infection, with which her fragile immune system and the antibiotics could not cope. Per her wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes strewn over Oregon, where her son David Andrew Gacke lives, and The Gulf of Mexico where we have sailed together so many times.
Betsy Anna Hoffman Epps 16 August 1938 – 01 November 2004 Sailing friend “Preacher” John Mincher spoke a eulogy at her memorial service on 02 November which was more of a celebration than a mourning. We celebrated her life as she did while she lived. Friends Eric Wall, Marcy Fryday and Fred Parrott spoke remembrances. Fred, owner of Café Blonde where we often went for music and wine, also played the guitar. There were no tears of sorrow at her service, only tears of nostalgia as we all remembered her impact on each of us. She truly left the world a better place than it was when she entered it and I think that is the best any of us can ask for. Goodbye Betsy – I love you.
Special Edition
The Bayou Packet # 34
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Preacher John Mincher
Fred Parrott
Attendees, in addition to me, were: Betsy’s son David Gacke from Oregon Boat Captain Aaron & Kim Pierce My daughter Lesley Epps Bowen and son-in-law Ken Bowen from Dallas Boat Neighbor Eric Wall & Katrina Cox My brother David Epps & sister-in-law Peggy Epps from Dallas Neighbor Pauline Hitt My niece Whitney Epps Parsons from Dallas Neighbor Marcy Fryday Structural Engineer Don Davis from Dallas Neighbor Don Cottrell Architect Kenn Hornbeck from Dallas Neighbor Peter Kinser Betsy’s former boss Chuck & Leti Stack Preacher John & Linda Mincher fro Dickinson Fred & Susie Parrott from Café Blonde John Llewellyn Ron Wicker Bill Kerber from Kemah Photos of all, except Bill Kerber who only stayed a little while and my brother David who was the photographer, are available for viewing on-line at: http://www.ofoto.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=3kuqwzcf.50xlzg7v&Uy=6ii2gu&Upost_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp%3fshowSlide%3dtrue&Ux=1 Thank you notes have been sent to those who sent flowers, but I want to thank them again here: Reubin Harle from China Aaron & Kim Pierce from Seabrook Jack & Marcy Fryday from Seabrook Jack and Gayl Hancock from Seabrook
Publicus Staff fron Dallas MVS-USA Staff from NJ & Russia Deborah Deffaa from NJ Mr. & Mrs. Louis Deffaa from NJ Peter Liberi from NJ
We had a gathering at our house after the service at Jack Rowe Funeral Home in League City. Several good friends were here. Special thanks to Fred & Susie Parrott from Café Blonde for snacks and wine.
Special Edition
The Bayou Packet # 34
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Along with his numerous other writings, William Randolph Hearst penned the following poem, which has become the favorite of all of those in the Hearst organization. Reprinting the poem is the traditional method of the Hearst Newspapers for remembering the founder on the annual anniversary of his death on 14 August 1951. “The song of the River” has also become a favorite of mine. I am repeating it herein for your enjoyment and to commemorate Betsy’s passing. The Song of the River – W.R. Hearst The snow melts on the mountain And the water runs down to the spring, and the spring in a turbulent fountain, With a song of youth to sing, Runs down to the riotous river, And the river flows to the sea, And the water again Goes back in rain To the hills where it used to be. And I wonder if life’s deep mystery Isn’t much like the rain and the snow Returning through all eternity To the places it used to know. For life was born on the lofty heights And flows in a laughing stream, To the river below Whose onward flow Ends in a peaceful dream. And so at last, When our life has passed And the river has run its course, It again goes back, O’er the selfsame track, To the mountain which was its source. So why prize life Or why fear death, Or dread what is to be? The river ran Its allotted span Till it reached the silent sea. Then the water harked back To the mountain-top To begin its course once more. So we shall run The course begun Till we reach the silent shore. Then revisit earth In a pure rebirth From the heart of the virgin snow. So don’t ask why We live or die, Or whither, or when we go, Or wonder about the mysteries That only God may know.
Special Edition
The Bayou Packet # 34
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At the moment starlight reaches our eyes, we are experiencing the end of a cosmic odyssey that began before human beings existed. Viewing the stars connects us to the multitude of generations that preceded us. We see and experience the same starry configurations as our grandparents and their grandparents before them. When I Heard the Learned Astronomer – Walt Whitman When I heard the learn'd astronomer, When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me, When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them, When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick, Till rising and gliding out I wander'd off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.
I have always look’d up at the stars. I will do so now, more intently, with a different purpose – looking for Betsy. If, as is said, there truly is a better place, I know that there is where she is. __________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________ Jess Stimpson “Wink” Epps, Jr. — AIA / CSI Husband of Betsy Anna (HOFFMAN) GACKE Ex-husband of Pollyanna (LOVE) SUMBLIN Father of Lesley Elayne (EPPS) BOWEN Stepfather of David Andrew GACKE Step-grandfather of Jacob Ryan and Joshua Allen GACKE Brother of David Oscar EPPS Son of Jess Stimpson EPPS and Martha Olivia McCAIN Paternal Grandson of David Thomas EPPS and Martha Ann “Mattie“ RAMBO Maternal Grandson of Samuel Oscar McCAIN and Ida Giss LESTER Paternal Great-grandson of Joel Stimpson EPPS and Anna HARKEY Paternal Great-grandson of Jesse Clinton RAMBO and Lauzy CHAPMAN Maternal Great-grandson of Rev. William Franklin McCAIN and Elizabeth Olivia ACKER Maternal Great-grandson of Elisha Lockhart LESTER and Martha A. "Mattie" SULLIVAN Ship: 817 Bryan Avenue (West Corner at 5th Street) (Old) Seabrook, TX 77586-3814 Telephones: 281+474-2292 Residence + Office 281+468-4626 Mobile
Mail: P.O. Box 476 Seabrook, TX 77586-0476 Faxes: 281+474-5002 Office 561-760-8113 Office via E-Mail
E-Mail: Jess Epps: JessEpps@mac.com