For over ten years, Trish brought life, laughter, insight, intelligence and love to AOL Gor. She offered her knowledge to help new players. She offered her friendship to those who sought it. She offered her wit and wisdom to those who needed it. She was wickedly funny. She was an incredible roleplayer. She was the strongest woman one could hope to know.
She never lost hope and faced death as she faced life with a smile and bring it on attitude.
She will be missed forever by the players she interacted with and the people behind the characters. The light she brought to our lives can never be extinguished.
I, Trish Lou Wickstrom Stuivenga, was born on Aug. 7, 1958, and died on Wednesday, April 9, 2008. During those years I had a wonderful life. I learned so much about the human condition - the blood, sweat and tears; the nuts (lots of 'em) and bolts (to keep the wingnuts in control) and that sort of thing. Don't regret a moment of it, because without the bad no one ever appreciates the good.
I was born in Grangeville. My parents were James and Rosa Mott Wickstrom. Good parents. Looking forward to seeing if they're back together in the wide unknown. I married, got two sons from the deal. Was worth it. They both survive me, which is a bonus as well. James Christian Stuivenga and his companion Lori live on the Oregon Coast and Casey Michael Stuivenga and his companion Amber live in Helena, Mont. I had/have two sisters, Cynthia Lea Cox, who died in 1982, and Christine Marie Rupe of Colfax. I have two grandsons: John and William. They are adorable, of course.
During my childhood I lived in Elk City; Portland, Ore.; Pierce; and Rock Springs, Wyo., before settling in Cottonwood during my second year of high school. While there I excelled in the music program and would have happily gone on to college for the promised expansion of a career in warbling. Youth is so fleeting and we think we know so much about it. Still no regrets though, because I was offered and accepted a position as a backup singer with Joaquin Lowe and the Wild River Band. They became good friends and remained that way for the entirety of my existence. You don't need to see someone every day to know they're good for you. Thanks, Joaquin and Verna!
In 1988 I started a career in public safety, which is to say I got paid for doing what I loved doing. How can it get better than that? My interest was
really sparked when I volunteered to be an EMT along the Salmon River drainage in White Bird. After a dozen years of that, I was challenged to answer an ad in the Idaho County Free Press for a dispatch position at the sheriff's office. BOOM! It was love at first sight.
In 1996, I left the Grangeville area and accepted a position with the Lewiston Police Department. If you think work in public safety is satisfying, you have no idea how wonderful it is to be around this particular group. They are and continue to be humanitarians, compassionate and caring, no matter how they are portrayed. Trust me, I know this. I experienced it first-hand. I tested up the rungs of the ladder, from dispatch until they entrusted me to the supervisor's position, and to my knowledge they never had a reason to doubt my abilities. Support and care has always been the watchword of the day with the people here. Every one of them knows how I felt about their support, and if I don't name them here, it would be because of my own fear of forgetting someone and what they had done for me, and I would chastise myself unmercifully for hurting them. I hope they know who they are. Suffice it to say it goes for communications, records, patrol, community policing, investigations and administration ... that should cover it since those are all the sections.
Life moved on, and in 2006 I was diagnosed with melanoma. Dr. Steven Ozeran performed my surgeries in both 2006 and 2007 when it reoccurred. I wish to thank him for his positive attitude and the support he gave to me then. Through the time, I have also come to know a whole lot more about the health care field in the realm of facing cancer. If I'd had a different kind of cancer, I most likely would not have had to write this up. Hey, you play the hand you're given.
I will be cremated, so it's likely there will be some kind of get-together at the bottom of this to tell you so you can show on up if you like. Or sign the virtual notebook thing that they put at the bottom.
Goodbye, my family and friends. I know you won't forget me, so I won't even bother with that. Know that I found in all of you the strength and courage to face this and I'll never forget you.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home in Lewiston.
Please sign the online guest book at www.vassar-rawls.com.
Sigh Honoria Xenos (Psibai)
Sigh taught through action what it means to be a Gorean Free Woman.
Maia Storm (MaiaStormST)
Maia humanized a badly damaged child who grew to be an eccentric, droll adult.
Majadi (xmajadix)
Majadi put other slaves to shame.
Autumn Tende (Autumn Tende)
Autumn with the free-spirit of her Tuchuk blood, was the epitome of a youthful Gorean.
Rest in Peace, my friend. You earned it.