Even a year later, people are still posting their fond memories about Deder. We acknowledge, perhaps too late, the great contribution she gave to us all. Her legacy will live on in this forum.

Diedre, you certainly will be missed. You were a most prolific poster to the EFA boards. Your caring attitude, your compassionate heart and your giving nature were all integral parts of the EFA boards. I'm still fairly new here myself, but I was struck by the fact that she lived right here in Northern Indiana, not far from where I live. She lost her husband, Ray, prior to her own death. What scares me is that epilepsy could shorten one's life expectancy. I've experienced five seizures in the past month, and found this site and read all the wonderful comments of support from her and from others. It's great that someone like her had such a compassionate side to her. Diedre, you will be missed.

Thank you for responding to me the first time i posted...and thank you for being such a positive role model for all of us with E.

Being a 30yo. and just starting to live life with E I was confused, upset and scared. Deder was a glimmer of light at the end of what seemed to be a long dark lonely tunnel. It was boost for me to go to this site and read Deders responses to all the posts, and a real uplifting help for me to see her responses to my posts. I am positive she helped me to get to where I am today. And I'm sure others feel the same.

And yes Steve is right, when I saw her PIC I was positive I've seen her before. What a great person with a big heart. she may not be still walking on this earth but she will always be in my heart.

If when that time comes for me and I go up, I'm hoping I'm going up, the first thing I'm going to do is look for you and shake you hand, for I think she has helped me more than the 3 neuros I've been to.

May she live on in all our memories. She will mine. And, Ray I live in northern IL. just outside of Chicago. If you need anything at all an I can help Just ask!!!! Also, the fishing shood start picking up here in a month or so. The best bass lake in northern IL. is just down the street from me.

My e-mail - picster27@aol.com

vlvs.........................AKA SCOTT

I periodicly check in here and read the posts either to Deder or about Deder. Thank you, cousin Kim for your lovely post, I know Deder from the epi boards, but you are right she was so unselfish and cared about so many others. I would like to see her art someday, I look at Deder's smiling face every day here, and can almost hear her voice, a voice my ears have never heard, say "Deder here".

See is an Angel, perhaps watching over the children with epilepsy.

Deder, you are a great person. I know you can hear me. You have graced me and lots of other people out there. You were the first person to respond to the first message I posted on the site and you helped me so much. I will always remember you. God Bless You! :0)

I haven't been able to be online for a while, and reading about Deder passing away saddens me so deeply. As I have read many people say, I also remember that chipper, "Deder here!" What a fun person she was to write to. Her e-mail address still sits in my address book. I take heart and have joy that she no longer faces the struggles that she endured while on this earth. I know where you are Deder, and I will see you one day. As always-Love you, Karen

It is very comforting to read so many inspired lives touched by a single person. Deder was very special! I knew her better as a child growing up. She is my cousin. We would play together and see each other at every family event. Growing up, I looked up to her. She was the oldest cousin, she was very smart, and she was very witty. I knew Deder best before the epilepsy. She would bring her pennies at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. All of the cousins would spend hours playing tripoly at our Grandparents house when we were young. As we got older, we worked together at our Grandparents restuarant. Later in life, we were not as close. We grew up, and I moved to Missouri to go to college and later got a job as an art teacher. The most recent memory I have of her was at my wedding last August, 2000. She and Ray came all the way to Alton, IL (outside of St. Louis). She had a seizure and went to the hospital. It was a grand seizure. It was serious. She missed the ceremony that day, but later made it to the reception that evening. The whole family was worried about her and how she was doing. She was instructed to rest, but came to the reception anyways. She gave me a hug and congratulated me over and over again. I kept asking how she was feeling, but she was so unselfish and refused to talk about herself. She apologized for missing the ceremony, and claimed I looked like an angel. I told her she really should be resting and joked that I would make sure she got some cake if she promised to take it easy. That was Deder, always thinking about other people.

To read the guestbook, helps me remember her in a positive light. It reminds me not to feel sorry for her, but feel sorry for me for not keeping in touch over the years better. She was very devoted to her faith and to her dream of being a commercial artist. She was always looking for ways to complete her degree, or land that big job in a commercial art studio. After she passed away, I was lucky to get her portfolio. It is filled with art that she would take with her to interviews, filled with hours of classwork, and filled with her dream of being a commercial artist. I took it to school with me last week and I opened it up to show my Graphic Design class. As the students came in the classroom, they asked "What's that, Mrs. Foster?" I replied, "It is a portfolio of art work from a REAL professional commercial artist. She let me borrow it to share with you." Thanks Deder! With love, your cousin, Kim.

My husband has epilepsy but it was misdiagnosed for years until he had the first tonic clonic seizure. It happened on an airplane and was serious enough that the pilots decided to turn back and do an emergency landing. Suddenly years of puzzling symptoms came together. Not wanting another minute of bad information I found this site and logged on. Deder was one of the first to respond. Her warmth, kindness, great wit and generosity not to mention her encyclopedic knowledge of epilepsy have made all the difference as we attempt to sort out treatment options and incorporate the changes in our lives. I miss her greatly and am so grateful that our paths crossed however briefly. Her legacy lives on. Deborah

I only spoke to you a coupple of times, but when I did you seemed lovely. you were willing to help in anyway you could and i was very grateful for your help. this has come as such a shock to me. i know nothing i say can really help your family, but i want them to know that i have lost a few friends in my time and i would like to help in any way i can. Bye Deder Booth. you were one great person, they should not have let you go.