Blog

  • Heidi Rufi Grice

    Heidi Rufi Grice

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    Date of Birth

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    September 9, 1981

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    Date of Death

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    September 30, 2016

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    Location

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    Plano, Texas

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    Who She Was

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    Her Story

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    Heidi Alisha Rufi Grice was born in Rockledge, Florida on September 9, 1981 to parents Thomas and Alyce Rufi. She peacefully passed away September 30, 2016 in Plano, Texas.

    Heidi was a pure and loving spirit and is survived by her loving husband Stephen Grice, children Savannah, Samuel, Rebekah, Jared, Lucinda and Jackson, parents Thomas and Alyce Rufi, brothers and sisters Heather Stack, Tina Mason, Dale E Massey, Jr., Davey D Massey, Thomas W Rufi, Jr., Keri Sparks and Rachel Krasovec and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

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    Memorials

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    Articles

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  • Sha-Asia Semple Washington

    Sha-Asia Semple Washington

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    Date of Birth

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    1994

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    Date of Death

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    July 3, 2020

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    Location

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    Brooklyn, New York

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    Cause of Death

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    Cardiac Arrest

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    Who She Was

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    Support Her Family

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    Articles

    [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”The New York Times” color=”chino” align=”center” css=”” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2023%2F01%2F23%2Fnyregion%2Fanesthesiologist-brooklyn-deaths.html|target:_blank”][vc_btn title=”Patient Safety Movement Foundation” color=”chino” align=”center” css=”” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fpsmf.org%2Fstory%2Fsha-asia-semple%2F|target:_blank”][vc_btn title=”ABC News” color=”chino” align=”center” css=”” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FGMA%2FWellness%2Fcalls-change-26-year-black-woman-dies-childbirth%2Fstory%3Fid%3D71698417|target:_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Cara Burnett Cuevas

    Cara Burnett Cuevas

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    Date of Birth

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    July 20, 1986

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    Date of Death

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    September 6, 2016

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    Location

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    Ulster Park, New York

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    Cause of Death

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    Stroke

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    Who She Was

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    Her Story

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Cara B. Cuevas, 30, of Ulster Park, NY passed away at Albany Medical Center on Tuesday, September 6, 2016. She was born in Kingston, July 30, 1986, to Randell W. and Sharon R. (Caruso) Burnett. Cara earned a Masters Degree in Special Education and Literacy and was a pre-school teacher at ABCD in New Paltz. In addition to her parents, Cara is survived by her husband, Jose Cuevas; a new born daughter, Lexi Kay Cuevas; siblings, Chad E. Burnett, Ryan J. Burnett and Dana M. Burnett; paternal grandmother, Almeda M. Burnett; mother-in-law, Iris M. Cordero; father-in-law, Jose A. Cuevas; step-father-in-law Ennan Tejada; sister-in-law, Mayra Tejada; several aunts, uncles and cousins. Cara was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Edward K. Burnett and her maternal grandparents, Louis James and Kathryn (Glass) Caruso. The family will receive friends and relatives Sunday 4:00 – 8:00 pm at the Henry J. Bruck Funeral Home, 261 Broadway, Kingston, NY. Her funeral services will be conducted 11:00 am on Monday by the Reverend Dr. Robert L. Gram at the funeral home. Burial to follow in St. Remy Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Cara’s name to your favorite charity.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”profile-links-header”]

    Support Her Family

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    Memorials

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  • Kristy Dotson Balka

    Kristy Dotson Balka

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    Date of Birth

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    March 2, 1970

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    Date of Death

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    April 14, 2009

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    Location

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    Travelers Rest, South Carolina

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    Cause of Death

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    Amniotic Fluid Embolism

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    Who She Was

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    Her Story

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”profile-story”]Kristy Dotson Balka, 39, wife of Michael H. Balka, died Tuesday, April 14, 2009 during the birth of her fifth child.

    Born in Hendersonville, NC, she was the daughter of Jerry K. Dotson, Jr. and Norma G. Dotson of Travelers Rest.

    Mrs. Balka was a home schooling mother and member of Faith Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Pensacola Christian College.

    Surviving, in addition to her husband and parents, are two daughters, Ariana and Kierstin Balka; and three sons, Kelton, Grant and Carson Balka, all of the home; a sister, Kim Davies; a brother, Bryan Dotson; paternal grandmother, Inez Dotson; and maternal grandmother, Beatrice Caudle.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”profile-links-header”]

    Memorials

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  • Kayla Barts Goscinski

    Kayla Barts Goscinski

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    Date of Birth

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    January 15, 1987

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    Date of Death

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    May 3, 2018

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    Location

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    Belleville, Illinois

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    Cause of Death

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    Cardiovascular

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    Who She Was

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    Her Story

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Kayla Suzanne Goscinski, nee Barts, 31, of Belleville, Illinois, born January 15, 1987, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, Illinois, died Thursday, May 3, 2018, due to complications from, doing what she loved most, bringing her child into this world.

    Kayla graduated from High Mount Elementary School and Belleville West High School. She went on to work at Eckert’s Belleville Country Store and Farms where she worked through many fulfilling roles and enjoyed one of her greatest passions, gardening. After much consideration, Kayla decided to leave Eckert’s to begin her greatest adventure, motherhood. After giving birth to her son, Edward, and daughter, Joanna, Kayla married the love of her life, George E. Goscinski. It was quickly apparent that she was meant to be a homemaker. Kayla enjoyed hosting get-together’s with family and close friends, decorating and redecorating her home, and providing nightly home cooked meals to her family.

    Shortly before her passing, Kayla was filling every waking moment preparing for the arrival of her third child, Hudson. Although, she was never able to hold him in her arms and see his sweet face, the love that she had for him will always be felt in his and our hearts.

    Surviving are her husband, George E. Goscinski of Belleville, IL; children, Edward, Joanna, and Hudson; mother, Janice Barts of Belleville, IL; father, Thomas Barts of Belleville, IL; brother, Nick Barts of Manhattan, KS; mother-in-law, Joyce (Jim) McDaniel of Caseyville, IL; and many dear aunts, uncles, and cousins.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”profile-links-header”]

    Memorials

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    Articles

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  • Domaniek Shepherd

    Domaniek Shepherd

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    Date of Birth

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    February 17, 1978

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    Date of Death

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    March 22, 2016

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    Location

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    Dallas, Texas

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    Who She Was

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    Her Story

    [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”profile-story”]Domaniek Shepherd passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2016 in Dallas, TX following one of the most selfless acts and highest forms of love known to mankind…the giving of life for life. But that was the very essence of who she was, how she lived and what she did—she gave life to our lives. Her creative and generous nature bore witness to that for 38 years.

    Born February 17, 1978 in Gary, Indiana, Domaniek moved to Texas with her family in 1984. She attended Skyline high school where she exhibited leadership abilities and musical talent as head drum major for the Raider band. She studied Fashion Design and Merchandising at Texas Women’s University and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Nu Chapter. Some of her joys in this life included decorating and shopping, baking, as well as arts & crafts. Blessed with the ability to have fun, she loved making others laugh and believed less drama was always better.

    She was a known risk-taker and pursuer of her dreams which eventually grew into the business(es) she founded: Dmari Group, Miique Apparel as well as her women’s empowerment non-profit organization, I Love Me. An accomplished seamstress, Domaniek’s passion for clothing was evident in her personal style; she rarely (if ever) avoided the use of bold and eclectic colors with the blending of funky textures and always added her own signature of self-expression to both. She was a true inspiration, displaying this fashion-forward freedom just as proudly as she wore her notoriously sweet smile and beautiful, natural hair.

    Domaniek is survived by two beautiful children, Jaida Simone Cole and Kollin Bernard Titus; her Parents, Wayman Shepherd and Patricia Shepherd; her Sisters, Tanieka (Kevin) Davis and Syreeta Shepherd (Omann Newton); Nephews, Kole Davis and Omann K. Newton; Grandparents, Vera Brumfield and Juanita Shepherd and her loving fiance, Kacey Bernard Titus.

    The family is humbled and deeply touched by the shows of support, love and kindness during this transition and celebration of Domaniek’s life. We extend a heartfelt “Thank you’” to God for lending Domaniek to us, to the friends who loved her, and to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

    Take consolation in the knowledge that Domaniek’s reward for a life well lived is eternal rest in paradise, where she undoubtedly is already at work applying her own brand of flavor to heaven’s canvas and creating the most gorgeous wardrobe for others entering God’s peaceful sanctuary. “Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams talk you out of yours…”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”profile-links-header”]

    Memorials

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    Articles

    [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”ProPublica: Lost Mothers” color=”chino” align=”center” css=”” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.propublica.org%2Farticle%2Flost-mothers-maternal-health-died-childbirth-pregnancy|target:_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” css=”” accent_color=”#A9733C”][/vc_column][/vc_row]