Care Person Update - Donna Gruel

Donna Gruel passed away on August 31, 2025.

Donna & Carl Gruel

Hello Everyone,  

 

Sadly, we share the news of Donna's passing.

 

I received the following sad news from Sue Sohles:

 

Former Dogwood member Donna Gruel passed away peacefully on August 31, after a long illness. 

 

Donna and Carl were Dogwood members for many years.  You could count on Donna to get a Dogwood gathering going.  She was the Dogwood's Christmas Party MC for several years. From year to year, you never knew what outfit, hat, or crazy glasses Donna would wear to start out the Christmas Party festivities.

 

Thank you Sue for passing on this sad news.

 

Our condolences to Carl and the Gruel family.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort.

 

Here is the link to his obituary:  Click Here 

Or copy & paste the URL into your browser.

https://www.northbrevardfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Donnette-F-Gruel?obId=45103691

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FRVA Dogwood Chapter  

  

Care Person Update – Jul/Aug 2025

Hello Dogwood Friends...

 

I am happy to say that I only have updates on a couple of our members that everyone knows about. 

 

           💟  First up is the below update from Carolyn Spiezio on 8/7/2025:

"Update on Tom. Thank you everyone for Prayers. He started 5th week of treatment today & feels good. Chemo pill & radiation every weekday, only chemo weekend. Lost a tiny bit of hair on left from, but not real noticeable. Told doc yesterday that he is going to beat this. We all pray that is true. Don't forget big party for Tom, Sept 20, Indian River Senior Center behind Wawa & Walgreens in Millsboro, De. 11-2, more details to come. Please kept praying, looks like they are working . Thank u"
 
Keep up the prayers that he will beat this awful disease.
 
 💟  Next up is Mary Lou Dudziak:

I texted her to ask how she’s doing with her recovery and she wrote:
"It's been a slow recovery, but I'm finally feeling better. My doctor said recovery from this surgery is 6 - 12 months, and I'm right on track. My back and leg pain is much better than before surgery, but I still have bending and twisting restrictions for a while, so I just have to be patient, I guess. 😉 Tell everyone I said hello, and I hope to be back to traveling soon!”
 
Good news from Mary Lou, and I know everyone is with me when I say I can’t wait to have her join us for rallies again!
 
 💟  Last up is Susan Buelow:

She is coming along nicely with her physical therapy, according to Jim. Taking it slowly and methodically so she doesn’t strain anything. Looking forward to seeing them soon and they will be at the rally in Lancaster, PA next month.

Well, I just found out that a few other folks have been under the weather. 

 

 💟  Karen Alexander had another stroke the end of July. She is recovering well but needs PT to regain her strength. Sent her a get-well card.

 

 💟  Connie Tilman has been having health issues over the summer, possibly due to medication. Sent her a get-well card.

 

 💟  Larry Sherrow has just returned home from a hospital stay for gallbladder issues. He will be having a cardiac catheterization after he gets better from the gallbladder thing. Sent him a get-well card.

 

 💟  And, Millie Lavalley had some surgeries and will be starting therapy soon. Sent her a get-well card.

 

Thank you to all who reached out to keep me informed of these events. Please continue to let me know whenever you hear of our members being ill, having surgery, losing a loved one (even a pet) or just not doing well for whatever reason at ndmeyer3@icloud.com or text me at 757-813-0828.

  

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FRVA Dogwood Chapter 

  

Care Person Update - Thank You from the Buelows

Jim & Susan

 Hello Dogwood Family,

 

We hope that all is well and that you are having a great summer.

 

As most of you know, Susan fell in the coach on June 4th on our way to the North Landing Beach rally. A trip to the emergency room in VA Beach revealed a fractured shoulder. We saw a surgeon the next day, and on June 12th, she had a total left shoulder replacement.

 

The surgery went well and Susan has been in physical therapy (PT) since early July, which is also going very well. We had a follow-up appointment with the surgeon on August 13th and he was very impressed with her recovery and progress. She will continue PT for a least another month, but she is a trooper and works hard at the PT. One day at a time.

 

During the past two months, we have received many calls, emails, texts, and cards from our Dogwood family sending caring and positive thoughts, prayers, flowers and goodies. It brought tears to Susan's eyes.

 

Our heartfelt and huge thank you for being there for us. We are very grateful for your love and friendship and Blessed to be part of the Dogwood family.  

 

We hope to be at the Dogwood luncheon at the VFW along with the PA rally and look forward to seeing you there.

 

Thank you again, safe travels and regards,

 

Susan and Jim

Care Person July Update – Tom Spiezio

Tom & Carolyn Spiezio

This is from Carolyn’s FB page (last week), so with her permission I am passing on to all Dogwood. 

 

"Update on Tom. He has finally started Chemo & radiation treatments. So far, minimal side effects. Doctor said after this round of 6 weeks would be a good time to go home. So, we should be back to De. Shortly after Labor Day. We are planning a big party of family & friends on Sept 20, will update about time, will be daytime, not night. Save the date. He has a lot of difficulty speaking, difficulty with his phone, so best to call me. At least one of his brothers is here most of the time, sometimes both. Been a big help to us both. Have friends or family coming to visit rest of July. Both excited about that. Thank u for all the love & prayers.”

 

She told me that they have received cards from Dogwood members, so I’m passing on their appreciation. Keep up the good work everybody! We sure do have a great group of people in Dogwood! ❤️

Sincerely, 

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FRVA Dogwood Chapter 

 

Care Person Update – May/Jun 2025

Hello Dogwood Friends...

 

     💟  At the end of April I found out that Ed & Jean Herbert lost a brother-in-law. Sent a sympathy card.

 

     💟  Bonnie Spain’s brother passed away on May 19. Sent a sympathy card.

 💟   Mary Lou Dudziak had 2 back surgeries-one May 19 & the 2nd May 20. She is doing well but not enough that she could attend the NLB Rally in Virginia Beach on June 4. Sent a get-well card

 

 💟  Richard Bonewitz had knee replacement surgery. Sent a get-well card.

 

 💟  Susan Buelow had a fall in the RV and ended up with several fractures in her left shoulder. She had shoulder replacement surgery on 12 June which went very well. She will have 3 months of physical therapy. Sent her a get-well card.

 

 💟  I have shared the latest news I have on Tom Spiezio in other mailings and blog posts. His biopsy on Monday, Jun 23rd confirmed he has stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer. The tumor is inoperable and growing extremely fast. The prognosis is very poor. Please keep Tom and Carolyn in your thoughts and prayers.

 

 

Thank you to all who reached out to keep me informed of these events. Please continue to let me know whenever you hear of our members being ill, having surgery, losing a loved one (even a pet) or just not doing well for whatever reason at ndmeyer3@icloud.com or text me at 757-813-0828.

  

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FRVA Dogwood Chapter 

  

Care Person Update – Tom Spiezio

Tom & Carolyn Spiezio

Hello Dogwood Family,

 

We have one of our own who needs uplifting in every way possible - Tom & Carolyn Spiezio. As you all know, Tom had a stroke in April and then a few seizures after that. He had another seizure on May 10, but was home shortly after. His speech and reading skills were affected noticeably but motor skills were good, but he cannot drive. They are staying in Crystal River indefinitely as the medical care is very good and they have a great support system with their neighbors. As of June 9, it was determined by MRI that there are several tumors in Tom’s brain, with one being fairly large, and this is why he had the seizures. Carolyn shared with me on June 13 that he is seeing a surgeon at Shands, University of Florida, who only works with brain tumors, and she could tell that it’s cancer. He was scheduled June 23 for surgery, followed by Chemo & Radiation. But instead, a biopsy was done. The following was posted yesterday on Facebook by Carolyn:

 

Biopsy day was Monday 23rd. Tumor was inoperable & growing extremely fast. It is grade 4 (the worse) glioblastoma brain cancer. Main tumor in left frontal lobe, dead center speech area. He will probably lose his speech. It is sending the tentacles out to temporal & parietal lobes. We meet with oncologist/radiation doctor on Monday. The prognosis is very poor. U can look it up. The one ray of sunshine is Dr. said he will not have pain that tylenol can't handle. That is great news to us, as we both have watched our family suffer horrible from cancer. We have appreciated all the love, prayers & support from you all. I'm sure u don’t know what to say, so just say that, then send a joke, a funny picture, send a happy picture of your children or grandchildren, your pets, anything to make him laugh. We want to live life the fullest with the time he has left. So help us live. Be happy, remember the stories & call him to tell him. He's struggling with speech, but he finally gets it out. Don't be afraid to talk about the good, bad or ugly. Its therapy for both of us. If u call at a bad time, we will let u know, or leave a message & we will call ASAP. Please be there for Tom through this journey. The worst thing is silence. If u don’t feel u can talk about the illness, don't, tell him about work, your vacation, family, anything. 

Thank u for loving my Tom. 

He is my soul mate & best thing that ever happened to me.

Their address at Nature Coast Landings RV Resort, Crystal River is:

 

Tom & Carolyn Spiezio

10173 North Suncoast Blvd Lot#73

Crystal River Fl 34428

 

Keep them in your prayers.

 

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person

FRVA Dogwood Chapter    

Care Person Update – Mar/Apr 2025

 Hello Dogwood Friends...

 💟  Ed Herbert had his shoulder replacement the week of March 10. Sent a get-well card, and happy to say that his recovery is coming along well.

 💟  Clint Allen’s oldest brother passed away on March 16. Sent a sympathy card.

💟  Steve Sohles’ sister, Patricia, passed away earlier in March. Sent a sympathy card.

💟  Tom Spiezio had a stroke on April 3, while still in Crystal River, FL. Sent a get-well card and lots of prayers. He had a rough few days, but am happy to report that Carolyn told me he went home on April 10 and is doing well! 

 

Thank you to all who reached out to keep me informed of these events. Please continue to let me know whenever you hear of our members being ill, having surgery, losing a loved one (even a pet) or just not doing well for whatever reason at  ndmeyer3@icloud.com or text me at 757-813-0828.

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FRVA Dogwood Chapter 

 

Care Person Update – Tom Spiezio

Tom & Carolyn Spiezio

Updated 4/11/2025

 

Hello Dogwood!  I have some wonderful news to share about Tom. I reached out to Carolyn earlier today and have pasted her message below:

 

"Tom was discharged yesterday, he is doing great. No deficit at all. Some words are slow coming out, & he has to think awhile making sentences. We are so blessed we caught & got him help fast. Thank u for caring”

 

Prayers were answered, and it feels really good that I can give some positive news to our group!

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person

FMCA Dogwood Chapter   

___________________

(Original Post 4/7/2025)

Hello Dogwood – wanted to share news we received this afternoon.  Tom Spiezio suffered a stroke Thursday night, Apr 3rd. He is in the ICU at Tampa General Hospital Crystal River.

Please keep Tom and Carolyn in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery.   Thank you Donna, for sharing the news.

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person

FMCA Dogwood Chapter   

Care Person Update - David Gilbert

David Gilbert passed away on March 25, 2025.

David & Jackie Gilbert

Hello Everyone,  

Sadly, we share the news of David's passing.

David and Jackie were past members of Dogwood.  Our condolences to Jackie and the Gilbert family.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort.

Here is the link to his obituary:  Click Here 

Or copy & paste the URL into your browser.

https://somd.com/announcements/obits/name/23143-David-G-Gilbert.html

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter  
 

Care Person Update - Marion Cockrell

Marion Cockrell passed away on March 5, 2025.

Marion Cockrell

Hello Everyone,  

It is with heavy heart that we share the news of Marion's passing.

Our condolences to the Cockrell family.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort.

Here is the link to her obituary:  Click Here 

Or copy and paste the URL into your browser.

https://www.curriefuneralhome.net/obituaries/Marion-Anthony-Cockrell?obId=38311184

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter  
 

Care Person Update – Jan/Feb 2025

 

Hello Dogwood Friends...

 

In a sad way to start the new year, in January:

💟  Nancy Cummings passed away on January 4, 2025. Please keep Paul & their granddaughter in your continued prayers. A sympathy card was sent and a $50 donation has been made in Nancy’s memory to the American Red Cross California Wild Fires.

💟  Kurt & Sonia Kuppert both lost a brother within a short amount of time in mid-January. A sympathy card was sent. Please keep them and their families in your prayers for strength. 

💟  As most of you know from the Blog, David lost his brother Tom after complications from surgery in January. We both want to thank all for your prayers and words of comfort. It was very much appreciated.

 

In February:

 💟  Ed Herbert was supposed to have shoulder replacement surgery, but flu decided it wasn’t time. He’s better now and surgery will be done at a later date. Sent a ’thinking of you’ card. 

 💟  Steve Sohles had a bout with Covid. Sent him a ’thinking of you’ card as he is finally feeling better. 

 

Thank you to all who reached out to keep me informed of these events. Please continue to let me know whenever you hear of our members being ill, having surgery, losing a loved one (even a pet) or just not doing well for whatever reason at ndmeyer3@icloud.com or text me at 757-813-0828.

  

Sincerely,
Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter