I still remember the morning I got the call from my husband. I was in Arkansas on a work trip. It was early for him to be calling me, and he called to let me know that something tragic had happened to one of the couples we were closest to. His best friend from growing up, Geoff, had admitted his wife to the hospital the night before with flu-like symptoms, and now she had passed away at age 38. It ended up being a rare strep bacteria infection, which turned septic and shut down some of her internal organs. She was healthier than she had ever been, running marathons and eating healthy. In fact, she had just accomplished running the Iron Girl Half Marathon just two weeks before her death. No one could have predicted that a strep infection would cause her to eventually go septic with a blood infection and pass away. She leaves behind a husband and two young daughters. One thing we do not want to leave behind is her memory. Denise needs to be alive in our hearts and minds forever to help transfer those memories to her daughters.
Denise and Geoff
Schaefer Family Photo
Denise and her beautiful girls
Denise worked as a school counselor at Magruder High School in Rockville in Maryland. She positively impacted students around her, as well as coaching softball at the school. To help honor Denise, her best friend Amy created a race to raise money for students that need college scholarships. What better way to honor Denise than to hold a race event, one of her greatest passions in life. The “Denise Wilson Schaefer Memorial Scholarship” will help create a dream for a deserving Magruder High School student to help them with their future.
Amy and Denise
This race, Dee’s Dash, is in its third year, as Denise has been gone for three years this May. If you would like to attend this great event, it’s not too late to register for the race. Dee’s Dash, a 5K and 1 mile Family Fun Run, will be held at OBGC Park in Olney, MD on April 23rd, 2017. You can register for the race that morning or if you pre-register, you can pick up packets at 7:15am (the race starts promptly at 8am). Registrations need to be in by April 6th, 2017 to guarantee a t-shirt. Make sure to check out the Dee’s Dash site for more information. There will be an after “breakfast” at The Greene Turtle in Olney, MD at 9:30am.
Denise running (her passion)
The Dee’s Dash in honor of Denise Schaefer
Mama Luvs Books is a proud sponsor of this event. If you do not live close to the DC area and cannot participate in the event but want to help out this great cause, please make donations to the scholarship fund through the site or by mailing in a check:
Donate to Dee’s Dash by sending PayPal donations: Dee’s Dash PayPal
or mail a check to:
Dee’s Dash
P.O. Box 3157
Silver Spring, MD 20918
Denise, always in our hearts and minds ~ We love you and miss you!
In Loving Memory of Denise Schaefer
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