Dusty, the Ex-ex-Mormon

[Stargazer]

This came up in a discussion in the Social Hall, when I asked if anyone knew anything about long-time poster @Garden Girl, since I hadn't seen anything from her in quite a while (her profile shows October 16, 2021).  Between @Calm, @Tacenda, and myself we finally came up with a poster who we knew was a cousin of hers, with two screen names: @stevedallas and CountryBoy -- CountryBoy isn't a current member screen name, however. Still haven't worked out how to find out GG's status -- I know where she was living on the Oregon Coast, but not her name IRL. Just in case anyone has any information, I thought I would post the question here, along with the video her cousin Steve "Dusty" Smith (I think it's Smith) made with Saints Unscripted about his falling away from the Church and his return.

Since I re-enjoyed watching the video, I felt like I should post it for your delectation.

 

Edited March 17, 2024 by Stargazer

[Tacenda]

I actually got to meet her in person while my husband and I were driving up the coast in Oregon. We took her to breakfast and she had photos of her husband and cats and a younger version of herself and she looked like a model! 

I even had her phone number, too bad I didn't stay in contact by phone. I didn't keep the phone number darn it! We'd message back and forth on this board though. And she'd be very encouraging to me. OH MY WORD!! I just went to check for my PM's with GG and hadn't realized she'd given me her phone number there! Do you or those reading this want to PM me for the number? I am kind of bashful to do it myself, but can or will it be a bad idea? I am terrible at judging these circumstances and worry it's the wrong thing to do. When I get stuck on what to do.

[Calm]

She is probably living with her nephew (I think) now as she was going downhill last I heard.  Another board member contacted him, iirc.  I am rotten calling people on the phone, makes me so nervous that I let others have the chance.  
 

Though it’s been several years, so she might be happily reunited with her husband.

Edited March 17, 2024 by Calm

[Stargazer]

8 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I actually got to meet her in person while my husband and I were driving up the coast in Oregon. We took her to breakfast and she had photos of her husband and cats and a younger version of herself and she looked like a model! 

I even had her phone number, too bad I didn't stay in contact by phone. I didn't keep the phone number darn it! We'd message back and forth on this board though. And she'd be very encouraging to me. OH MY WORD!! I just went to check for my PM's with GG and hadn't realized she'd given me her phone number there! Do you or those reading this want to PM me for the number? I am kind of bashful to do it myself, but can or will it be a bad idea? I am terrible at judging these circumstances and worry it's the wrong thing to do. When I get stuck on what to do.

It seems to me that you're well enough connected to her in real life that it would be completely acceptable for you to call her! 

[Stargazer]

2 minutes ago, Calm said:

She is probably living with her nephew (I think) now as she was going downhill last I heard.  Another board member contacted him, iirc.  I am rotten calling people on the phone, makes me so nervous that I let others have the chance.  
 

Though it’s been several years, so she might be happily reunited with her husband.

Not that long -- she last posted in September 2021. But 2 1/2 years can be a long time when one is in the sunset of one's life.

[Tacenda]

6 minutes ago, Calm said:

She is probably living with her nephew (I think) now as she was going downhill last I heard.  Another board member contacted him, iirc.  I am rotten calling people on the phone, makes me so nervous that I let others have the chance.  
 

Though it’s been several years, so she might be happily reunited with her husband.

That's me to a "T"! Will I just frustrate her, if I called, especially if she does have dementia? I don't know...things like that go on in my head. 

[Calm]

4 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

just frustrate her, if I called, especially if she does have dementia? I don't know...things like that go on in my head. 

You and me should go to therapy together, lol.  You and I?

Edited March 17, 2024 by Calm

[MorningStar]

I think about her often. Wonderful, supportive lady! I got to meet her at the temple years ago and we talked on the phone several times. 

[Tacenda]

2 minutes ago, Calm said:

You and me should go to therapy together, lol.  You and I?

MDDB, is kind of therapy for me. ❤️

BTW, I read more of the PMs between GG and I and I had given my cell number to her as well! 

[Tacenda]

Just now, MorningStar said:

I think about her often. Wonderful, supportive lady! I got to meet her at the temple years ago and we talked on the phone several times. 

Good for you MorningStar!!

[bluebell]

I spoke with her nephew probably about a year ago now. He said she was doing good just couldn’t really get onto the computer anymore. Anything could’ve happened since then, but I agree she is greatly missed.

[UtahTexan]

This is Dusty.  Yes, she is in a home now suffering from Dementia.  I spoke to her nephew recently and she is doing ok health-wise, but not mentally.   Prior to her move to live with her nephew (and before she was put into a home) we spoke about once a week.

 

 

[Tacenda]

2 minutes ago, UtahTexan said:

This is Dusty.  Yes, she is in a home now suffering from Dementia.  I spoke to her nephew recently and she is doing ok health-wise, but not mentally.   Prior to her move to live with her nephew (and before she was put into a home) we spoke about once a week.

 

 

You are to be commended for staying in contact like that, what a sweet thing to do. I appreciate your posting again and helping us stay updated! You're the best!! ❤️

[UtahTexan]

She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met.  I have done 120 firesides to date, and when we talked, she always wanted to hear about the latest.  When her nephew came to take her Missouri, he talked to me at length about her issues.  She lived with him for awhile until it she needed better and more around-the-clock care.  I love her dearly and miss our weekly chats.  She is still part of my firesides as I talk about her.

[UtahTexan]

another note, when Io got cancer, she called to check up on me constantly.  She prayed for me daily.  Now it my turn.  

[Stargazer]

3 minutes ago, UtahTexan said:

another note, when Io got cancer, she called to check up on me constantly.  She prayed for me daily.  Now it my turn.  

Thanks very much for updating us. I almost met her once, as my brother and our wives were passing through her town in Oregon after viewing the 2017 solar eclipse. 

[rpn]

So maybe if everyone who knows her writes c/o the family member closest, she'll get the letters.   Whether or not she can read them or remember anyone, she can still understand that they are people who cared about her enough to write (and maybe enjoy any flower photos or pictures or animal photos or pictures that are included).  

If anyone does this, I hope you include that others remember her name and wish her well..  

[MorningStar]

Thank you for the update, Dusty! I'm so sad to hear she's suffering from dementia. I love her. 

[BlueDreams]

3 hours ago, UtahTexan said:

another note, when Io got cancer, she called to check up on me constantly.  She prayed for me daily.  Now it my turn.  

Thanks so much for the update. I think of her a lot when I paint in oils. When she realized her painting days were finishing up, she mailed me several of her paints for me to use. I concur on her sweetness! Just a wonderful lady all around. 

 

I'm glad she's doing relatively well, but hope she can find her home beside her husband yet again soon.  

 

With luv,

BD 

[Kenngo1969]

5 hours ago, UtahTexan said:

This is Dusty.  Yes, she is in a home now suffering from Dementia.  I spoke to her nephew recently and she is doing ok health-wise, but not mentally.   Prior to her move to live with her nephew (and before she was put into a home) we spoke about once a week.

 

 

I'm glad she is doing well physically, but sad she isn't doing well mentally.   (Thank God, literally, for the resurrection. )

[halconero]

Kinda wild how far some of the relationships on here stretch. I joined as a fairly recent 21-year-old RM and have since progressed through multiple major life stages while observing the same of board members here, some hard, some wonderful, some a bit of both.

[bluebell]

5 minutes ago, halconero said:

Kinda wild how far some of the relationships on here stretch. I joined as a fairly recent 21-year-old RM and have since progressed through multiple major life stages while observing the same of board members here, some hard, some wonderful, some a bit of both.

So true.  When I joined my oldest was around 2 years old.  He's almost 22 now.  So much has changed but so much stays the same.

[sunstoned]

On 3/17/2024 at 3:16 PM, MorningStar said:

I think about her often. Wonderful, supportive lady! I got to meet her at the temple years ago and we talked on the phone several times. 

I remember GG, and I do agree with you.  She is a wonderful person.  She was very supportive when I was going through my faith transition.  I still have her PMs. 

[Teancum]

On 3/17/2024 at 4:42 PM, Stargazer said:

This came up in a discussion in the Social Hall, when I asked if anyone knew anything about long-time poster @Garden Girl, since I hadn't seen anything from her in quite a while (her profile shows October 16, 2021).  Between @Calm, @Tacenda, and myself we finally came up with a poster who we knew was a cousin of hers, with two screen names: @stevedallas and CountryBoy -- CountryBoy isn't a current member screen name, however. Still haven't worked out how to find out GG's status -- I know where she was living on the Oregon Coast, but not her name IRL. Just in case anyone has any information, I thought I would post the question here, along with the video her cousin Steve "Dusty" Smith (I think it's Smith) made with Saints Unscripted about his falling away from the Church and his return.

Since I re-enjoyed watching the video, I felt like I should post it for your delectation.

 

This fellow looks and sounds like the identical twin of a former employee of my firm. Weird.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

GG has done much for so many, including this poster who once believed he had to answer to all things! Just love her!