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The Central Coast Dragon Boat Association
IN MEMORIAM
We dedicate this page to all our paddlers who are now gliding in a boat of a different dimension - they are paddling on ahead...
Robin O'Connor
Robin was a passionate Dragonboat competitor, but before and in addition to that she was many other things.
An accomplished educator, she was instrumental in the Adaptive Physical Education program at Orange Coast College. She was incredibly committed to assisting people with disabilities to
be able to live their best lives.
An accomplished singer, she sang with many churches and choirs and after moving to Central
Coast in 2020 was a member of the Threshold Choir singing at bedsides and vigils for the
terminally ill.
An accomplished artist, she was able to paint, do glasswork, needlework, and nearly any other
creative activity she tried and had an eye for beauty and perfection.
An accomplished athlete, she completed many prestigious marathons and competitively
competed as a roller blader before she got bitten by the dragon.....
In 1998 she began paddling and competing with dragonboat teams. She joined many teams
and often went to festivals with multiple jerseys in order to paddle with several teams at a race.
Most often racing on BCS teams and teams with disabled athletes.
Some of her teams were: Killer Guppies, Adaptive Fusion, Aero Dragons, LA Pink Dragons, Blind Start, Synergy, NAC, and San Diego Sea dragons and of course most recently the Central Coast SurviveOars. One of the reasons her and Pat chose SLO County as a retirement destination was the presence here of a bad-ass dragonboat team.
In addition to dragon boats Robin loved to hike, kayak, SUP, wine taste, entertain friends, and
collect people who loved her.
Robin O'Connor Dec 7, 1956 - July 29, 2024
An accomplished educator, she was instrumental in the Adaptive Physical Education program at Orange Coast College. She was incredibly committed to assisting people with disabilities to
be able to live their best lives.
An accomplished singer, she sang with many churches and choirs and after moving to Central
Coast in 2020 was a member of the Threshold Choir singing at bedsides and vigils for the
terminally ill.
An accomplished artist, she was able to paint, do glasswork, needlework, and nearly any other
creative activity she tried and had an eye for beauty and perfection.
An accomplished athlete, she completed many prestigious marathons and competitively
competed as a roller blader before she got bitten by the dragon.....
In 1998 she began paddling and competing with dragonboat teams. She joined many teams
and often went to festivals with multiple jerseys in order to paddle with several teams at a race.
Most often racing on BCS teams and teams with disabled athletes.
Some of her teams were: Killer Guppies, Adaptive Fusion, Aero Dragons, LA Pink Dragons, Blind Start, Synergy, NAC, and San Diego Sea dragons and of course most recently the Central Coast SurviveOars. One of the reasons her and Pat chose SLO County as a retirement destination was the presence here of a bad-ass dragonboat team.
In addition to dragon boats Robin loved to hike, kayak, SUP, wine taste, entertain friends, and
collect people who loved her.
Robin O'Connor Dec 7, 1956 - July 29, 2024
Rosana Ortiz
Deborah Warren
Deb Warren was a heck of a dedicated paddler. She paddled with two teams, the Pink Phoenix in Portland, Oregon and the Central Coast SurviveOars, Morro Bay, CA. I was able to paddle with her in both locations and knowing her and remembering her now always makes me smile.
Here's what her coach in Oregon wrote about her dedication:
Deb and I met while team members on Pink
Phoenix, the first all breast cancer team in the USA, established some 29 years ago. Our home
water is the Willamette River. A river that is an active, commercial waterway that runs through downtown Portland. With over 100 survivors on the team, we would take 3 full boats out each practice. In those early years, Deb and I would gravitate towards each other on the way down to
the dock where the dragon boats were moored. Once at the boats, Deb and I would continue to chat as we settled in for our hour long practice.
Deb paddled with a quiet, thoughtful spirit. She would mull over some aspect of our stroke or
our practice goals and then pose a question to me about her thoughts. During those conversations we talked about her family too. She was a dedicated wife but it was her role as a
mother that made her beam. She was so proud of her son. Deb shared a story here and there
about her work life as an attorney and her love of flying. Deb was an accomplished woman but
she never bragged about her accomplishments or her bank account. She always presented
herself as a simple woman with simple needs.
Deb’s final year or so was marred by her fight against a rare heart cancer that required her to be hospitalized for her treatments. The whole thing was a big puzzle that needed to be solved. She was very matter of fact when we spoke about her prognosis. Because her cancer was so rare it really irked her that the experts just couldn't keep her here. I spoke with Deb the last week of her life and we shared some memories of being on the water together and my regret having never taken her up on her offer to have me paddle with her Morro Bay Club, Central Coast
SurvivOars. I still plan to visit her team in the future!
Deb is sorely missed by me and her teammates of Pink Phoenix and the Central Coast SurviveOars.
Paddles Up Deb!
Lori Godfrey
Pink Phoenix, President Emeritus
Here's what her coach in Oregon wrote about her dedication:
Deb and I met while team members on Pink
Phoenix, the first all breast cancer team in the USA, established some 29 years ago. Our home
water is the Willamette River. A river that is an active, commercial waterway that runs through downtown Portland. With over 100 survivors on the team, we would take 3 full boats out each practice. In those early years, Deb and I would gravitate towards each other on the way down to
the dock where the dragon boats were moored. Once at the boats, Deb and I would continue to chat as we settled in for our hour long practice.
Deb paddled with a quiet, thoughtful spirit. She would mull over some aspect of our stroke or
our practice goals and then pose a question to me about her thoughts. During those conversations we talked about her family too. She was a dedicated wife but it was her role as a
mother that made her beam. She was so proud of her son. Deb shared a story here and there
about her work life as an attorney and her love of flying. Deb was an accomplished woman but
she never bragged about her accomplishments or her bank account. She always presented
herself as a simple woman with simple needs.
Deb’s final year or so was marred by her fight against a rare heart cancer that required her to be hospitalized for her treatments. The whole thing was a big puzzle that needed to be solved. She was very matter of fact when we spoke about her prognosis. Because her cancer was so rare it really irked her that the experts just couldn't keep her here. I spoke with Deb the last week of her life and we shared some memories of being on the water together and my regret having never taken her up on her offer to have me paddle with her Morro Bay Club, Central Coast
SurvivOars. I still plan to visit her team in the future!
Deb is sorely missed by me and her teammates of Pink Phoenix and the Central Coast SurviveOars.
Paddles Up Deb!
Lori Godfrey
Pink Phoenix, President Emeritus
Susan Malmgren
One of the last gifts that Susan gave me was the friendship and support of her friends here in Los Osos. She didn’t just make casual friends, she found people who understand true friendship. Our family is grateful and deeply touched by the numerous ways you cared for her (food, celebrations, notes, cards, rides, and I mean emergency rides, and numerous errands) so thank you for that – and thank you Ellie and the SurviveOars for organizing this morning’s gathering to remember my dear sister. It’s exactly what she would have wanted.
She loved the ocean and to get back to it and be able to live close to it in her retirement was a dream come true. I like to think that here in Los Osos she found her spirit home.
Susan was my only sister and my first friend. When she was a little girl she thoroughly enjoyed spending hours in her room, busy with any number of projects - for example, she was a life-long stamp collector starting at age seven. We would need to brush our teeth but Susan would have twenty-five stamps floating in the sink so she could remove them from odd envelopes she’d saved. If I was lucky I got to be her assistant but she was perfectly happy discovering her world on her own.
As many of you know, over the course of Susan’s illness, maintaining quality of life was her goal. She drew from her creative side and her very practical side and did what she could do to enjoy life, dealing with each phase so graciously with such equanimity.
Thinking of that I couldn’t help but remember a time in our childhood. We lived in one of those neighborhoods in the fifties where all the kids of all ages played together in the street and enjoyed the freedom of a happy neighborhood. When we weren’t playing cops and robbers or tag we would make up plays or dramatic scenes. For some reason the older kids decided we needed to stage a funeral. At that point none of us knew about death so I’m not sure where this came from. We decorated a wagon with geraniums from the garden and dressed up with towels draped over our shoulders. Susan decided she would be the departed one and lay prone in the wagon as they pulled her down the middle of Fernside Drive. I think we were singing. Half way down the street I burst into tears. They stopped the wagon and Susan sat up, totally exasperated with me for stopping the procession –She got out of the wagon, took the time to settle me down and assured me all was well with her. And still to this day she reassures me and teaches me how all is really well, there is nothing to fear in death.
My sister was an amazingly creative and prolific artist, also a knitter as well as a fiercely independent person. She surrounded herself with all the things she loved - her books, her art, her knitting, her cats, music, and of course lots of bright colors. She also treasured her family and friends - this was most evident as we found keepsakes and family treasures she carefully saved in abundance.
Over the years she steeped herself in whatever drew her in. This is how she continually discovered creative reservoirs in herself. Without looking back, I think she boldly became who she knew her true self to be. As bold and brave as she was she was also sensitive and knew what struggle felt like - she experienced it through the decades, working in what was earlier primarily a man’s world and being single her whole life. She became more open to possibilities as the years went by and embraced her own style. She painted with abandon and then she knitted like crazy and could create or decipher patterns and knit just about anything that came her way.
As creative and industrious as she was she was immensely practical and because of that quality she didn’t waste a lot of time worrying about things she couldn’t control. She wanted to live fully, so when she knew she wasn’t able to do so, she gracefully accepted it and had only gratitude for life. What a beautiful model for all of us. It’s the part of her that I try to take with me everyday for my time left here in the world. Thank you all for caring and for being here today.
With love from Linda
Susan’s Life Celebration 7-18-2021
She loved the ocean and to get back to it and be able to live close to it in her retirement was a dream come true. I like to think that here in Los Osos she found her spirit home.
Susan was my only sister and my first friend. When she was a little girl she thoroughly enjoyed spending hours in her room, busy with any number of projects - for example, she was a life-long stamp collector starting at age seven. We would need to brush our teeth but Susan would have twenty-five stamps floating in the sink so she could remove them from odd envelopes she’d saved. If I was lucky I got to be her assistant but she was perfectly happy discovering her world on her own.
As many of you know, over the course of Susan’s illness, maintaining quality of life was her goal. She drew from her creative side and her very practical side and did what she could do to enjoy life, dealing with each phase so graciously with such equanimity.
Thinking of that I couldn’t help but remember a time in our childhood. We lived in one of those neighborhoods in the fifties where all the kids of all ages played together in the street and enjoyed the freedom of a happy neighborhood. When we weren’t playing cops and robbers or tag we would make up plays or dramatic scenes. For some reason the older kids decided we needed to stage a funeral. At that point none of us knew about death so I’m not sure where this came from. We decorated a wagon with geraniums from the garden and dressed up with towels draped over our shoulders. Susan decided she would be the departed one and lay prone in the wagon as they pulled her down the middle of Fernside Drive. I think we were singing. Half way down the street I burst into tears. They stopped the wagon and Susan sat up, totally exasperated with me for stopping the procession –She got out of the wagon, took the time to settle me down and assured me all was well with her. And still to this day she reassures me and teaches me how all is really well, there is nothing to fear in death.
My sister was an amazingly creative and prolific artist, also a knitter as well as a fiercely independent person. She surrounded herself with all the things she loved - her books, her art, her knitting, her cats, music, and of course lots of bright colors. She also treasured her family and friends - this was most evident as we found keepsakes and family treasures she carefully saved in abundance.
Over the years she steeped herself in whatever drew her in. This is how she continually discovered creative reservoirs in herself. Without looking back, I think she boldly became who she knew her true self to be. As bold and brave as she was she was also sensitive and knew what struggle felt like - she experienced it through the decades, working in what was earlier primarily a man’s world and being single her whole life. She became more open to possibilities as the years went by and embraced her own style. She painted with abandon and then she knitted like crazy and could create or decipher patterns and knit just about anything that came her way.
As creative and industrious as she was she was immensely practical and because of that quality she didn’t waste a lot of time worrying about things she couldn’t control. She wanted to live fully, so when she knew she wasn’t able to do so, she gracefully accepted it and had only gratitude for life. What a beautiful model for all of us. It’s the part of her that I try to take with me everyday for my time left here in the world. Thank you all for caring and for being here today.
With love from Linda
Susan’s Life Celebration 7-18-2021
Tracy Neil-Shewchuk
I met Tracy when I visited her store along the Embarcadero. That is where she introduced me to the Dragon Boat Community. She was a positive, charismatic, person who was fun to be around with a wealth of local information.
She lived in MB most of her life. She had a passion for horses and had been trained in dressage, a form of horse riding performed in exhibitions and competitions. She was well traveled and her knowledge regarding jewelry, among many other things, made her an interesting person and an amazing business woman.
Tracy was a cancer survivor. Her struggle with cancer was ongoing but she was able to face it with the love and support of her daughter Cordillia, husband Bill, her friends and the Dragon Boat Community.
She was an inspiration and brought joy to us all.
Written by Sharon Sloan.
She lived in MB most of her life. She had a passion for horses and had been trained in dressage, a form of horse riding performed in exhibitions and competitions. She was well traveled and her knowledge regarding jewelry, among many other things, made her an interesting person and an amazing business woman.
Tracy was a cancer survivor. Her struggle with cancer was ongoing but she was able to face it with the love and support of her daughter Cordillia, husband Bill, her friends and the Dragon Boat Community.
She was an inspiration and brought joy to us all.
Written by Sharon Sloan.
Beatrice Lunday
Beatrice Lunday was a light illuminating even the darkest of paths. She left a lasting impression
in her community. She discovered the world of dragon boating following diagnosis of a
glioblastoma brain tumor in 2015, a type of cancer affecting the brain and spinal cord. She
shared her love for dragon boating with friends and family and found peace on the water with
the Central Coast SurviveOars.
The Central Coast became home for Beatrice after beginning studies in the Food Science and
Nutrition Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her love for nutrition stemmed from childhood. While growing up, her older brother battled and lost his life to brain cancer, and
Beatrice became committed to exploring how nutrition could improve health. Following her undergraduate education, she continued her passion at Cal Poly by pursuing a Master of
Science in Nutrition. Initially, Beatrice returned home to Colorado following diagnosis for
chemotherapy and radiation then returned to resume full-time graduate coursework. Like her passion for dragon boating, her love for nutrition remained constant in the face of uncertainty.
During her undergraduate education, Beatrice worked as a production manager developing Cal
Poly Chocolates, a student-run organization, from its early beginnings. She balanced studies
and built lasting connections while also working in the community at Mama Ganache, a local
artisan chocolate shop.
In 2014, Beatrice volunteered as a research assistant to nutrition professor, Peggy Callaghan Papathakis, PhD, RD. In collaboration with Mark Manary, MD, the founder of Project Peanut Butter, she collected data and oversaw participation in research aimed to decrease malnutrition
during pregnancy for women and children in the developing country of Malawi.
Beatrice aspired to become a registered dietitian focusing on diet and its role in treating cancer.
In light of continued chemotherapy treatment, pain management, and anti-seizure medication,
she remained committed to research for her masters degree and aimed for a bright future. She
kept close to heart the importance of living life to the fullest. She accomplished a longtime
“bucket list” item to see the aurora borialis/Northern Lights in Iceland. She fell in love with Sean
Mclaughlin, a partner who complemented her like the feeling of warm sunlight on your skin at
the end of a perfect day. She inspired those around her to pursue the goals that speak to our
hearts. She was silly, serious when it counted, and a breath of fresh air that could bring you up
from the deepest of undertows. Her integrity showed through, like a lighthouse, no matter the
storm.
Beatrice passed on February 14th, 2017 in Monument, Colorado at the age of 26. Brain cancer limited her timeline, but her impact remains limitless. She completed 50 pages of her thesis discussing dietary intake of pregnant women in Malawi and addressing solutions to malnutrition. Posthumously, Beatrice’s family received her M.S. degree in nutrition. The Beatrice Lunday
Memorial Scholarship was established and is awarded to nutrition graduate students as
testament to Beatrice’s dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity. To the Central Coast SurviveOars, her family, and friends Beatrice will always be remembered. Beatrice’s joy, intellect, and strength carries on and what an honor it was for all those who got to laugh and love with her.
Beatrice Elaine Lunday
1/13/1991 – 2/14/2017
https://mustangnews.net/remembering-beatrice-lunday/
https://cafes.calpoly.edu/giving/memoriam
(Written by Angela Rezai)
in her community. She discovered the world of dragon boating following diagnosis of a
glioblastoma brain tumor in 2015, a type of cancer affecting the brain and spinal cord. She
shared her love for dragon boating with friends and family and found peace on the water with
the Central Coast SurviveOars.
The Central Coast became home for Beatrice after beginning studies in the Food Science and
Nutrition Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her love for nutrition stemmed from childhood. While growing up, her older brother battled and lost his life to brain cancer, and
Beatrice became committed to exploring how nutrition could improve health. Following her undergraduate education, she continued her passion at Cal Poly by pursuing a Master of
Science in Nutrition. Initially, Beatrice returned home to Colorado following diagnosis for
chemotherapy and radiation then returned to resume full-time graduate coursework. Like her passion for dragon boating, her love for nutrition remained constant in the face of uncertainty.
During her undergraduate education, Beatrice worked as a production manager developing Cal
Poly Chocolates, a student-run organization, from its early beginnings. She balanced studies
and built lasting connections while also working in the community at Mama Ganache, a local
artisan chocolate shop.
In 2014, Beatrice volunteered as a research assistant to nutrition professor, Peggy Callaghan Papathakis, PhD, RD. In collaboration with Mark Manary, MD, the founder of Project Peanut Butter, she collected data and oversaw participation in research aimed to decrease malnutrition
during pregnancy for women and children in the developing country of Malawi.
Beatrice aspired to become a registered dietitian focusing on diet and its role in treating cancer.
In light of continued chemotherapy treatment, pain management, and anti-seizure medication,
she remained committed to research for her masters degree and aimed for a bright future. She
kept close to heart the importance of living life to the fullest. She accomplished a longtime
“bucket list” item to see the aurora borialis/Northern Lights in Iceland. She fell in love with Sean
Mclaughlin, a partner who complemented her like the feeling of warm sunlight on your skin at
the end of a perfect day. She inspired those around her to pursue the goals that speak to our
hearts. She was silly, serious when it counted, and a breath of fresh air that could bring you up
from the deepest of undertows. Her integrity showed through, like a lighthouse, no matter the
storm.
Beatrice passed on February 14th, 2017 in Monument, Colorado at the age of 26. Brain cancer limited her timeline, but her impact remains limitless. She completed 50 pages of her thesis discussing dietary intake of pregnant women in Malawi and addressing solutions to malnutrition. Posthumously, Beatrice’s family received her M.S. degree in nutrition. The Beatrice Lunday
Memorial Scholarship was established and is awarded to nutrition graduate students as
testament to Beatrice’s dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity. To the Central Coast SurviveOars, her family, and friends Beatrice will always be remembered. Beatrice’s joy, intellect, and strength carries on and what an honor it was for all those who got to laugh and love with her.
Beatrice Elaine Lunday
1/13/1991 – 2/14/2017
https://mustangnews.net/remembering-beatrice-lunday/
https://cafes.calpoly.edu/giving/memoriam
(Written by Angela Rezai)
Dorothy Norwood
Dorothy Cole Norwood loved her time with the SurviveOars! (2000 to 2011).
She loved the camaraderie, being on the water of beautiful Morro Bay, and especially being in seat 10, which gave her the cherished view of her teammates all working together. She was proud of her multiple gold medals and loved being part of the team. Her life was so much richer for having been a teammate to the wonderful group of women that made up the team. She especially loved being on the water when still and glassy with the boat gliding over the water. And she braved the choppy conditions with a smile. A special thank you goes out to her favorite seat 10 mate (benchie), Meg, and all the wonderful friends she made.
As remembered by her daughter, Nancy.
She loved the camaraderie, being on the water of beautiful Morro Bay, and especially being in seat 10, which gave her the cherished view of her teammates all working together. She was proud of her multiple gold medals and loved being part of the team. Her life was so much richer for having been a teammate to the wonderful group of women that made up the team. She especially loved being on the water when still and glassy with the boat gliding over the water. And she braved the choppy conditions with a smile. A special thank you goes out to her favorite seat 10 mate (benchie), Meg, and all the wonderful friends she made.
As remembered by her daughter, Nancy.
Jeanne L'Amoreaux
Jeanne was a dynamite paddler in her 80’s. She was first to be on the dock to clean and ready the dragon boat. As the paddlers arrived she was the greeter and made them feel very welcomed.
Jeanne was a breast cancer survivor. She bought and gave every new paddler a pink scarf.
She served as a SurviveOars board member for many years. For several years she annually distributed the white cotton long sleeved SurviveOars T-shirts.
Jeanne attended races in Long Beach and Tempe Arizona. In Tempe she received the most senior award, a box of pizza! We all had a big laugh and consumed it on the spot!
Jeanne wasn’t afraid of bad weather conditions. When practice would be called off due to white caps, she would shout, “Chicken!”
My most significant memory of Jeanne is that she made every single person feel special.
As remembered by Kit Mitsuoka
More about Jeanne ~
Jeanne L’Amoreaux was born in June 1925 in Boston, Mass., the oldest of five siblings. Jeanne spent her early years in Orleans, France, with her mother and maternal grandparents. When the family returned from France, they made the move across country from Boston to the West Coast, settling in Los Angeles. Jeanne married Justin L'Amoreaux on April 18, 1948, at the Pasadena Chapel of Roses. They were engaged on April Fool's Day 1947. Justin gave her the engagement ring on the floor of the Hollywood Palladium to the song "It Had to Be You." They were happily married for over 50 years until Justin's death.
Throughout her working life, Jeanne fought for women's right to equal pay and was an early union organizer. She was always very active in her community. During her 15 years in Cincinnati, Ohio, she served as president of the Junior Women's League and later as president of the Hyde Park Women's Literary Club. She was an avid birder, participated in yearly counts and put out hundreds of pounds of bird seed throughout the snowy Cincinnati winters.
She loved camping with her lifelong group of friends, the Wagon Masters. She won the Wagon Masters Chili Cook-Off most years and held the record for the largest catch—an enormous salmon. Morro Bay was always a favorite camping spot and when it came time for retirement, Jeanne and Justin made the brilliant decision to relocate from Tujunga, Calif., to their beloved Morro Bay.
Jeanne loved all the elements, but especially the water and communed with it throughout her life as a swimmer, surfer, lifeguard, fisherwoman and paddler. One of her greatest joys in life was paddling with her Survive Oars team on the bay and at the races. She proudly served on the board for four years. As she told her friend, Jeff Anderson, whose mother, Rita, was Jeanne's paddle buddy, “I'm paddling on ahead. (Don't be sad!)”
Anyone who knew Jeanne will remember her warm, welcoming smile, fierce curiosity, strength of intellect and wry sense of humor that was present even in the darkest of times. She is greatly missed by her large extended family, friends and neighbors. Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Claudia L'Amoreaux, and granddaughter, Catherine Zohara Bediz.
Jeanne was a breast cancer survivor. She bought and gave every new paddler a pink scarf.
She served as a SurviveOars board member for many years. For several years she annually distributed the white cotton long sleeved SurviveOars T-shirts.
Jeanne attended races in Long Beach and Tempe Arizona. In Tempe she received the most senior award, a box of pizza! We all had a big laugh and consumed it on the spot!
Jeanne wasn’t afraid of bad weather conditions. When practice would be called off due to white caps, she would shout, “Chicken!”
My most significant memory of Jeanne is that she made every single person feel special.
As remembered by Kit Mitsuoka
More about Jeanne ~
Jeanne L’Amoreaux was born in June 1925 in Boston, Mass., the oldest of five siblings. Jeanne spent her early years in Orleans, France, with her mother and maternal grandparents. When the family returned from France, they made the move across country from Boston to the West Coast, settling in Los Angeles. Jeanne married Justin L'Amoreaux on April 18, 1948, at the Pasadena Chapel of Roses. They were engaged on April Fool's Day 1947. Justin gave her the engagement ring on the floor of the Hollywood Palladium to the song "It Had to Be You." They were happily married for over 50 years until Justin's death.
Throughout her working life, Jeanne fought for women's right to equal pay and was an early union organizer. She was always very active in her community. During her 15 years in Cincinnati, Ohio, she served as president of the Junior Women's League and later as president of the Hyde Park Women's Literary Club. She was an avid birder, participated in yearly counts and put out hundreds of pounds of bird seed throughout the snowy Cincinnati winters.
She loved camping with her lifelong group of friends, the Wagon Masters. She won the Wagon Masters Chili Cook-Off most years and held the record for the largest catch—an enormous salmon. Morro Bay was always a favorite camping spot and when it came time for retirement, Jeanne and Justin made the brilliant decision to relocate from Tujunga, Calif., to their beloved Morro Bay.
Jeanne loved all the elements, but especially the water and communed with it throughout her life as a swimmer, surfer, lifeguard, fisherwoman and paddler. One of her greatest joys in life was paddling with her Survive Oars team on the bay and at the races. She proudly served on the board for four years. As she told her friend, Jeff Anderson, whose mother, Rita, was Jeanne's paddle buddy, “I'm paddling on ahead. (Don't be sad!)”
Anyone who knew Jeanne will remember her warm, welcoming smile, fierce curiosity, strength of intellect and wry sense of humor that was present even in the darkest of times. She is greatly missed by her large extended family, friends and neighbors. Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Claudia L'Amoreaux, and granddaughter, Catherine Zohara Bediz.
Cheryl Clark
Brenda Waters
One afternoon while I was standing on the dock preparing to paddle, a gal with a beautiful smile came up and introduced herself to me. It was Brenda Waters. She was recovering from surgery and treatment from her cancer.
She worked for the US Postal Service and she was so well loved by her co-workers they all volunteered to give her some of their vacation and sick leave time so she could focus on recovery. I recognize quickly why her co-workers were willing to do this.
Brenda had a beautiful smile, contagious laugh, great since of humor and positive out look on life. Brenda was a women of many talents. She had an amazing talent to create beautiful glass paintings. She painted on vases, windows, wine glasses and just about anything glass. When she wasn't painting you could find her on the Pismo State Beach driving around in her VW Thing. She loved nothing more than to take her friends for a ride on the beach.
We spent many hours on the water training and preparing for the dragonboat races Henderson, Nevada. The weather was so HOT at that race but all that was forgotten when the team won two Gold metal. It was also an honor to meet Brenda's family at this race. They all came to support her.
Brenda moved to Phoenix Oregon to be close to her family but we remained in contact. My only regret was I never made it to see her in Oregon before she passed. She remained positive and cheerful for the remainder of her life. I feel honored to of had her in my life. Always in my heart. Meg Spierling
She worked for the US Postal Service and she was so well loved by her co-workers they all volunteered to give her some of their vacation and sick leave time so she could focus on recovery. I recognize quickly why her co-workers were willing to do this.
Brenda had a beautiful smile, contagious laugh, great since of humor and positive out look on life. Brenda was a women of many talents. She had an amazing talent to create beautiful glass paintings. She painted on vases, windows, wine glasses and just about anything glass. When she wasn't painting you could find her on the Pismo State Beach driving around in her VW Thing. She loved nothing more than to take her friends for a ride on the beach.
We spent many hours on the water training and preparing for the dragonboat races Henderson, Nevada. The weather was so HOT at that race but all that was forgotten when the team won two Gold metal. It was also an honor to meet Brenda's family at this race. They all came to support her.
Brenda moved to Phoenix Oregon to be close to her family but we remained in contact. My only regret was I never made it to see her in Oregon before she passed. She remained positive and cheerful for the remainder of her life. I feel honored to of had her in my life. Always in my heart. Meg Spierling
Vicki Halley
Joanna Frawley
Louisa Bravo
Louisa, Cello and Roberta came to us as a trio.
Louisa was the mother of Cello, he was 6 when she died. Roberta was her guardian angel.
Louisa and Roberta both worked in the hospital lab in SLO. She was a single mother with a beautiful little boy. Roberta had heard of our cancer survivor group, became a member and introduced Louisa to the sport of dragon boating.
Louisa had already been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer at that point. She had a lot to live for and gave it a good and brave fight. Members of our group donated food and money to help her through these most difficult of times. She died 6 months later
Louisa donated her paddle, with her name on it to SurviveOars. Cello is a teenager and lives with his Dad. Roberta paddled with us for another year before moving to the East coast.
A plaque of Louisa and Cello was installed on our old dragon boat: "Joanna's Joy". The dragon boat can be visited anytime. She sits out in the open at the Maritime Museum, at the end of the Embarcadero, by the stacks.
As remembered by Bernadette (Sunshine Chair).
Louisa was the mother of Cello, he was 6 when she died. Roberta was her guardian angel.
Louisa and Roberta both worked in the hospital lab in SLO. She was a single mother with a beautiful little boy. Roberta had heard of our cancer survivor group, became a member and introduced Louisa to the sport of dragon boating.
Louisa had already been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer at that point. She had a lot to live for and gave it a good and brave fight. Members of our group donated food and money to help her through these most difficult of times. She died 6 months later
Louisa donated her paddle, with her name on it to SurviveOars. Cello is a teenager and lives with his Dad. Roberta paddled with us for another year before moving to the East coast.
A plaque of Louisa and Cello was installed on our old dragon boat: "Joanna's Joy". The dragon boat can be visited anytime. She sits out in the open at the Maritime Museum, at the end of the Embarcadero, by the stacks.
As remembered by Bernadette (Sunshine Chair).
Mo Clancy
Bud & Rita Anderson
I remember Rita always showing up to practice looking lovely, with her red lipstick and perfect hair! - As remembered by Coach Leslyn
When I think of Rita, I think of her smile, her gentleness, her loveliness, her deep affection for her husband. Bud would drop her off at paddling. We would call out "Hi Bud!" as we paddled past the Anderson Hotel where he waved to us from the balcony. Then he would pick her up at the dock after practice. They reminded us of teenagers dating. Rita remained active all her life, healthy and involved. What an inspiration she is to us all! - Susan Lloyd.
Never have I met a more elegant woman than our Rita. She could paddle with the best of them and her red lipstick never smeared! I so enjoyed her! Love, Marsha
When I think of Rita, I think of her smile, her gentleness, her loveliness, her deep affection for her husband. Bud would drop her off at paddling. We would call out "Hi Bud!" as we paddled past the Anderson Hotel where he waved to us from the balcony. Then he would pick her up at the dock after practice. They reminded us of teenagers dating. Rita remained active all her life, healthy and involved. What an inspiration she is to us all! - Susan Lloyd.
Never have I met a more elegant woman than our Rita. She could paddle with the best of them and her red lipstick never smeared! I so enjoyed her! Love, Marsha
Judy Thompson
Judy Thompson was one of the original SurviveOars. She paddled with us from 2007 - 2010. Her enthusiasm and encouragement helped make SurviveOars a staying community. She was new to the Morro Bay area, so she embraced the community of survivorship with verve and zest.
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