Help give Arlean a loving send-off
Donation protected
Remembering Arlean Gibson McLean makes me smile from ear to ear - and - at the same time, breaks my heart about her sensitivity and the pain only she could understand, but not explain.
Arlean's life experience is not unique, nor is her ending. She came by her emotional pain honestly. Physical changes in her body would not allow her to access the healthy, happy hormones which would allow her brain to make rational decisions, nor keep her weight in check. I speak of her thyroid. A very common weakness in her paternal family, and too often an undiagnosed condition.
Instead, what happens is a series of heavy-duty pharmaceutical drugs being provided by doctors and psychiatrists to combat anxiety and depression. These are primarily anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics, but can include hypnotics as well. Sometimes all three at the same time. Without an accurate diagnosis of a physical hormonal challenge, the meds truly mess up normal physiological functions. If this was going on with Arlean, she had no healthcare provider to actually help her, except at significant expense to pay privately.
By now most everyone knows she expired by her own hand. The "best-before-date" she placed on her life was November 14, 2018. No one was prepared for this. She minimized her extreme emotional struggles, and had made plans with her beloved sons, among others, that she would never keep, as it turns out.
I am her Auntie, the sister of her father, Stu McLean. There is little time to raise money for those who love the Soul that Arlean was. Her Celebration of Life is scheduled for warmer weather, and better travel conditions in B.C., during Arlean's own birth month, April. We will gather in Abbotsford on April 6, where her sister, Penny, will organize all details. She has eulogists who want to come, but can't afford the expense.
Please help us send Arlean off with acknowledgement of the entirety of her life. We must let her know she was and is loved. That her troubles and struggles are better understood by all of us. That her life counted in so many ways. That her last decision is absolutely forgiven! She needs to feel now, what she did not feel or believe last November.
Arlean and Scott - Happy Days!
And, oh those active boys! Joseph and Kane
"Arlean, we appreciated your gentleness. We experienced your incredible compassion. We felt sad when you berated yourself. We understood it felt natural to seek comfort in alcohol sometimes. We were so proud when you actually liked yourself and looked forward to the future. And - we loved how you loved us!"
Arlean's husband, Scott Gibson, will be the one to receive any of your donations. No amount is too small. Why I am asking is to ensure that my lovely niece's closest relatives and best friends will be able to gather to give her the loving goodbye she deserves.
The untimely and unexpected passing of our Arlean in early winter created financial issues for many in her inner circle. There have been the funeral home costs, and the closing of her affairs in Vernon. Husband Scott has dealt with all of those issues.
Her people must travel from Alberta, Saskatchewan, the BC interior and Vancouver Island to attend her Celebration of Life on the Lower Mainland.
Travel costs for those who need assistance are expected to exceed $5,200, with an additional $675 for those who require paid accommodations. The facility rental, flowers, food/beverages, music and digital equipment, out-sourced printing of a Memorial Program, and preparation of a DVD memorial, are expected to come in at about $1,800.
Our guesstimate of expenses comes to $7,675. Our ask of $7,500 will give us a decent chance of bringing everyone together.
Please contribute whatever you can. Every $5 is appreciated. If you will not be able to travel to her send-off yourself, consider a $50 or $100 donation. The family will mail out Arlean's Memorial DVD to every donor of fifty dollars or more. These will be available at cost during the Celebration of Life program in Abbotsford.
Time is short. Please help us to make this happen for Arlean!
We so badly want to provide a gathering of Arlean's closest people, who will pray for her, and link together to express love and joy for her earthly life and honour her contributions to this world.
Keep checking and sharing this Page. See the new photos as we post them, and watch the unfolding of her sweet life in the posts of others.
Arlean's life experience is not unique, nor is her ending. She came by her emotional pain honestly. Physical changes in her body would not allow her to access the healthy, happy hormones which would allow her brain to make rational decisions, nor keep her weight in check. I speak of her thyroid. A very common weakness in her paternal family, and too often an undiagnosed condition.
Instead, what happens is a series of heavy-duty pharmaceutical drugs being provided by doctors and psychiatrists to combat anxiety and depression. These are primarily anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics, but can include hypnotics as well. Sometimes all three at the same time. Without an accurate diagnosis of a physical hormonal challenge, the meds truly mess up normal physiological functions. If this was going on with Arlean, she had no healthcare provider to actually help her, except at significant expense to pay privately.
By now most everyone knows she expired by her own hand. The "best-before-date" she placed on her life was November 14, 2018. No one was prepared for this. She minimized her extreme emotional struggles, and had made plans with her beloved sons, among others, that she would never keep, as it turns out.
I am her Auntie, the sister of her father, Stu McLean. There is little time to raise money for those who love the Soul that Arlean was. Her Celebration of Life is scheduled for warmer weather, and better travel conditions in B.C., during Arlean's own birth month, April. We will gather in Abbotsford on April 6, where her sister, Penny, will organize all details. She has eulogists who want to come, but can't afford the expense.
Please help us send Arlean off with acknowledgement of the entirety of her life. We must let her know she was and is loved. That her troubles and struggles are better understood by all of us. That her life counted in so many ways. That her last decision is absolutely forgiven! She needs to feel now, what she did not feel or believe last November.
Arlean and Scott - Happy Days!
And, oh those active boys! Joseph and Kane
"Arlean, we appreciated your gentleness. We experienced your incredible compassion. We felt sad when you berated yourself. We understood it felt natural to seek comfort in alcohol sometimes. We were so proud when you actually liked yourself and looked forward to the future. And - we loved how you loved us!"
Arlean's husband, Scott Gibson, will be the one to receive any of your donations. No amount is too small. Why I am asking is to ensure that my lovely niece's closest relatives and best friends will be able to gather to give her the loving goodbye she deserves.
The untimely and unexpected passing of our Arlean in early winter created financial issues for many in her inner circle. There have been the funeral home costs, and the closing of her affairs in Vernon. Husband Scott has dealt with all of those issues.
Her people must travel from Alberta, Saskatchewan, the BC interior and Vancouver Island to attend her Celebration of Life on the Lower Mainland.
Travel costs for those who need assistance are expected to exceed $5,200, with an additional $675 for those who require paid accommodations. The facility rental, flowers, food/beverages, music and digital equipment, out-sourced printing of a Memorial Program, and preparation of a DVD memorial, are expected to come in at about $1,800.
Our guesstimate of expenses comes to $7,675. Our ask of $7,500 will give us a decent chance of bringing everyone together.
Please contribute whatever you can. Every $5 is appreciated. If you will not be able to travel to her send-off yourself, consider a $50 or $100 donation. The family will mail out Arlean's Memorial DVD to every donor of fifty dollars or more. These will be available at cost during the Celebration of Life program in Abbotsford.
Time is short. Please help us to make this happen for Arlean!
We so badly want to provide a gathering of Arlean's closest people, who will pray for her, and link together to express love and joy for her earthly life and honour her contributions to this world.
Keep checking and sharing this Page. See the new photos as we post them, and watch the unfolding of her sweet life in the posts of others.
Organizer and beneficiary
Verina Staven
Organizer
Drumheller, AB
Scott Gibson
Beneficiary