DeDe’s birthday is this Wednesday, April 4 and her mom, Linda Anderson, wrote something special (below). DeDe and her family died in a plane crash in Watsonville on July 7, 2011. Pictures were from the Houghton family’s 2010 visit to the California State Capitol and they show the family and Linda.
In July 1966 I became pregnant with my second child, for nine months I carried this little one close under my heart not knowing for sure if it was my little girl or a baby brother for Mitch. On April 4, 1967 after a nine month wait and so many dreams our beautiful baby girl arrived. For 44 years she completed our family, filling our lives with joy, laughter, love and so many precious moments. She experienced so much in her short life, starting out rather shy but so self-assured she was always destined to become a leader more than a follower.
She loved animals and the outdoors, enjoyed camping at a young age and all water sports especially learning to water ski at Lake San Antonio which was just a few miles from our home in Lockwood. Recently her dad mentioned his memory of DeDe sitting in the dug out tree of a boat in the Atlantic ocean when we lived in Panama. She would sit there watching the bubbles from Andy and Mitch’s scuba tanks, that is probably when she first discovered her desires to dive and learn about the world so hidden from so many of us.
She took part in 4-H and raised a couple of pigs, she loved bringing hers into the house after she gave it a bath, but it was always a little hard to sell it at the auctions because they grew into her heart. Maybe her desires to travel came from that time in her life when she was a military child and our travels to Panama, she loved the people and the area. She enjoyed church and she and we all took an active roll in learning about life and our spiritual beliefs, she and Mitch were active members with the Youth for Christ and experienced so many fun activities sharing with others. In grade school DeDe joined the King City swim team and enjoyed challenging herself in beating her own records as well as setting new ones.
She was the mascot for the highschool football team, a big Blue Mustang and she cheered and encouraged the crowds at the games and supported her friends and team members. She ran track and was great at the Hurdles, her long legs supported her well as she cleared with ease often with an occasional bruise on a shin or knee. She joined ROTC and survived bootcamp and excelled in many of the challenges that time of her life presented. DeDe seemed to have a natural gift of being a wonderfully caring and supportive person, whether it was as a friend, sister, daughter or the rare stranger. I have so many stories and am so proud to have been allowed the gift of being her mother.
When she graduated from Fresno State she was a school teacher and she loved her students, I recently came across folder and notes from that time in her life, the cards she had saved from students that loved her. She moved on to become many other forms of a teacher when she gave birth to her two fantastic young sons. She and David were so proud of them and each other. To witness them as a couple was inspiring to me of such a special shared love for each other and together to all that shared with them. Aquasafaris and the scuba school again let her share her talents and gifts while encouraging students as they too pursued underwater adventures. As an adult she allowed me the privillege of helping her prepare for her wedding, be present as Luke and Ryan arrived and to let me be their Nana a gift I will cherish my whole life.
July 2011 was the saddest day of my life, when my world changed in such a devastating way and for these past nine months I have been living each day in memory of all of those years and the great adventures I was able to share with them. The nine months waiting for her arrival was filled with anticipation, some worries, and with a love that grew there under my heart and grew into it, I have been so blessed and as this 4th day of April draws near I asked myself why I am sad and know it is because I MISS her so very much, my heart while so filled with love breaks as I know I can’t pick up the phone and hear her voice, can’t put my arms around her and sing to her ears. However; I can remember, I can love, I can sing and know she will hear, and I can feel her arms around me and I can almost hear her say “Mom, I’m sorry” but know we are all okay and send our love! For those who don’t know, DeDe was named after both her grandmothers “Dorothy”, the meaning is Child of God! Though she went by her nickname DeDe, she truly was a child of God and a blessing to us all. Happy Birthday my girl, my love continues to grow and my heart is so full. Love, Mom
Thank you so much, Linda, for the beautiful remembrance of DeDe. I think of her often when I drive by their house (It will always be their house for me!), when I see her name in my phone book (I like it reminding me of her.), or when I think of all the talks and laughter we shared at DeLaveaga. I, too, am proud to have had her as a friend. I miss her so much.
Linda, thank you for sharing your memories and your heart with us. I hadn’t yet chanced to meet DeDe… I sure wish I had. I know without a doubt I would have adored her. Sending love and comfort as always. Michele
Thanks for giving us a peak into the early years of Dede. She was a very special woman and mother but from your stories I see that she was a special girl and daughter too. Her life experiences made her who she was to her last days. I’m so glad to have known her. Happy Birthday, Dede.
I remember DeDe first from the dive shop, then later as i was Luke’s third grade teacher. David later tol me that I was “Luke’s favorite teacher” but maybe he was just being kind. DeDe was so much help at Delaveaga! If I was having a tough day, she would give me that knowing look and remind me that she was once a teacher. She was so kind, helpful and she would do anything for her boys. I miss her very much.
Beautiful words from a beautiful mama for a beautiful mama and friend. We miss Dede daily as well, and absolutely cherish her memory. The whole family left only joy on in our hearts, and i cannot help but smile and be happy when i think of one of them. Dede “You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own”. I remember how Dede was the only one crying at my bridal shower, she was overjoyed at our wedding (i have a great photo of her talking to my parents at the wedding). She was a wonderful support during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and so fun to share admiration with over our kids. Dede gave to others what i can only hope to project when im at my best
Thank you for continuing to share these beautiful memories!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts and photo of DeDe. Like Lauren, we think of all of them with nothing but love and fond memories. Yesterday I was in a shop in Paso Robles and saw a yellow bracelet that Ijust had to buy in honor of DeDe’s birthday. It’s not her style but it is her favorite color and it sparkles and shines like DeDe when she smiled which was always it seemed. It also has light yellow gem stones and, well I hate to be corny, but she was a gem. They all were. Also, I just want to let people know that Nico has made a dedication page in the B40 yearbook with rhe support of the yearbook teacher. There will also be a page next to it where Luke’s friends will share their thoughts. If anyone would like a copy of these pages let me know. I don’t visit this site much as the loss is still too raw for me. However, thanks John for keeping it going and HAPPPY BIRTHDAY DeDe!!!
Thank you John for getting the post up so quickly and thank you to all that are remembering DeDe especially on her special day. I have had so many signs of “Spirit” since the accident, some might think I have an overactive imagination but I will never be convinced that is it…If you can see the white cross in the second picture above, maybe you will get a similar special feeling or reminder of the connection we have with our families whether they are physically here or have left us for awhile. I know and believe that these simple little messages bring much to help me clarify, understand and feel that they are still with me. Again, thank you for sharing each of you that read the shared words or leave your own special thoughts and know that they continue to help me through the loss we have all shared. With love and thanks, Linda
I will forever remember and have so much love for my cousin DeDe, on her birthday and everyday but yes it is true the holidays are the most difficult. That is why on July 7, 2012 I will shut off my computer and do what i know DeDe and her family would want. Celebrate life! My precious little granddaughter was born on 7-7-7 and it saddens me and it is very difficult knowing that a day, one day, can be the saddest day for some and the happiest for others! My heart is heavy with so many mixed emotions. I will forever miss DeDe and will cherish every birthday and every living moment with the rest of my family. At this moment one memory of DeDe that plays in my mind is all the tree forts us kids use to build together. I have cousins I grew up with and later grew apart from and I have cousins I never knew! I take comfort in knowing DeDe is now with Linc, Grandma Dorothy, Grandpa Buddy, Aunt Nan, Uncle Ira, she is probably rocking our precious Kelly boy! And, all the others who went much too soon… Happy Birthday my dear sweet beautiful cousin DeDe! I love you! Nora Mae
Thank you, Linda, for your beautiful tribute to DeDe in honor of her birthday. I only had a short time to spend with her leading up to and then during the Bonaire trip of June 2011. In that short time, I had DeDe pegged as a orever friend, a woman of kindred spirit whom I admired for her open heart, love of family and spirit of adventure. I remember the last time I saw DeDe…just three days before the crash. I had to return some dive equipment to the shop. That smile, that fabulous voice that always beckoned you to join in the fun…it hit me again that day. I told DeDe before I exited the shop that I wanted to make a date to go to San Francisco to the De Young Museum for the Picasso exhibit the next week, while Luke was at science camp. She agreed wholeheartedly, then hesitantly asked me, Do I have to get dressed up?. I laughed and assured her that it could be a casual affair.
I have to admit something…I must have called DeDe’s voicemail 10 times in the days following the accident. I HAD to hear that voice again.
Linda, thank you for bringing the wonderful person that was DeDe into this world on April 4, 1967. While she can’t be in our worldly embraces, she resides in the hearts of the MANY who loved and admired her.
I knew today would come and I would wake up thinking about DeDe. As I read the comments above, tears sprang to my eyes as I “remembered”. When I scrolled down to add my comment it was SO INSPIRING to see the Captcha box that I am to copy the words from in order to post this. It said, and I’ll copy, “special, hersoul”. My God — how that just says it all! I can’t add anything that says it better — DeDe was, is, and will always be so very special. I “remember” with delight that same little girl that her Mom writes so eloquently about. I “remember” with special fondness having her named, in part, after me — we share the same middle name, Diane. I “remember” taking the picture above as we strolled Sacramento on our way to the Capital, and how wonderful I felt to be included in their outing — always FUN no matter what they were doing. DeDe GRACED our lives — from the day she was born until the day she left us and I will always remember her love and laughter on this, her special day, reserved for her special soul.
When I first met DeDe her name was DeDe Anderson and she substituted in my 5th grade classroom. She had been teaching 3rd grade in King City, but was relocating to Santa Cruz to be with her boyfriend, David. She was so good with the kids and such a sweet person that when there was a job opening at our school, all of us that she had subbed for recommended her for the job. I was very happy when she joined our staff. She was a wonderful teacher, very caring and creative. She made learning fun for her students. Every year she’d bring in a shark that had accidently been killed by a fisherman. As a class they would dissect it. David would come to help out. For a while she also had a pet iguana in the classroom.
Her students loved her. She treated them with kindness and respect. I learned from her too. I observed her as she walked her class down the hallway saying please and thank you as she reminded students to walk or be quiet. It seems like a little thing, but to a child being told, “Please walk” and “Thank you” is a form of respect not show when a teacher shouts out, “Walk!”
When pregnant with Luke, she planned to take 3 month maternity leave. However she never came back. But she didn’t really quit teaching. As a mother and scuba instructor and later, a parent volunteering in her children’s classroom, she continued teaching and touching people’s lives. She was a great scuba instructor, and know because I took a class from her.
DeDe was an incredible mother; patient, kind, tuned in to her children’s needs. She spent quality time with her boys and gave them many incredible experiences. She was infinitely patient. When they were little she’d take all their “why” questions seriously and take the time to explain their world to them. I spent a lot of time with them and took care of Luke and Ryan, and was amazed at her love and patience. I remember sitting in a van in Costa Rica listening to DeDe and 2 year old Luke talking about the things they saw outside the van. I knew she was tired, I know I was, but she patiently answered all his questions. I had taken a class with DeDe and Luke at Sutter for siblings who would be attending the birth. They had prepared him so well, his first comment was ,with a disappointed voice, “I thought there would be more blood.”
Dede touched so many lives. She was an amazing person, and I feel privileged and lucky to have had her for a friend, and to have had Luke and Ryan in my life. I miss her very much and not a day goes by that I don’t think about her or her family.
Remembering you today, on your birthday, though not a day goes by that I don’t. Celebrating your life today and all the things you are to us always, and to me, an unexpected and treasured gift as a dear, close friend and sister.
Twenty-some years together too big to think, its the small things, the moments, and sometimes, literally, the little things they came with—like the shells on the mantle, the delicate remains of a sea urchin, the fascination you share with Po as he peers into your palm, engulfed in the wonder of a tiny little star fish. That same passion, the gentle way Luke and Ryan take Po by the hand to show him some wonder of the world, and all just to share with him the joy, looking up to see it on his face.
Its the whimsical little fairy star that smiles up at me from the pillows on the bed, one that came with the many things of caring and comfort you bring on the day I give birth, the soothing tones of your voices in the other room, you and Claire on that night with you she’ll always remember, releasing me to let go in giving birth to Po. And on down the trail of memories, many years before that, your wordless greeting when I returned from a year far away–suddenly you are gone and he is in my arms, just me and Luke, out on the driveway in the morning sun, feeling his soft hair against my cheek, his warmth, quiet contentment, his same peaceful spirit of watchful amusement, surely the same one with which you turn back to watch me, just to see the joy on my face.
Its the mail on the table, the many causes you cared about and the way you gave. Day after day the mail keeps coming, piling up, wondering where you are. You are deeply missed as we remember you today, as always, and celebrate having you in our lives.
I was overcome by everybody’s stories. DeDe was one of the sweetest people I have known. Loving, caring, mild mannered, she would never hurt a fly. I never heard her and David argue. She was a very supportive and loving wife and a wonderful mom. She took a lot of time with Luke and Ryan to give them special attention. She always put others before herself. She came from a wonderful family.
I can still hear her voice. I miss her and the family. I think of them every day and every night. I’m still at a loss to reconcile this whole tragedy.
I grew up with DeDe, I remember the day she walked in to our class in 7th grade, we all giggled at her high pitched voice. She was the sweetest, nicest person you could ever meet. As we grew up there was a group of us that became close friends, I believe it was Sara Frudden that gave all of us key chains that said “the girls”, that was our group. We had our ups and downs…as girls do..but we pretty much stuck together. I remember one night having a fight with my mom and going to DeDe’s to stay the night. In the middle of the night I remember getting very annoyed because I thought Dede was taking the whole bed and said “would you move over”…DeDe giggles and says “Kristin, you’re on my side of the bed!” We laughed, I rolled over and we went back to sleep. From that night on we referred to each other as “Snuggles”. So, as I have done every year since then I now say, “Happy Birthday Snuggles!”
Kristin