We stand before you today to honour a precious, beautiful, and special little girl. Dallyce was a gift to this earth and each of you are gathered here today to celebrate, remember, and rejoice her impact on your life - as a cherished daughter, granddaughter, baby sister, niece, cousin, and friend.
As we are experiencing the transition to autumn we are reminded of the uniqueness and pure beauty of this particular season change. The changing colour of the leaves, the new- found cool breeze upon of our face, and the powerful autumn sunrises and sunsets across the Prairie horizon serve as a gentle reminder for each of us to remain in awe of God’s creation. We have learned through our lived experiences that these Fall changes occur quickly therefore we’ve grown to understand that in order to get the most out of this beautiful season we must cherish the immediacy of what is in front of us here and now. And so it is with all of nature’s journeys – the almost rhythmic unfolding of blooming, and coming to be of God’s creations leads into this gorgeous moment that naturally emerges with the season change. Dallyce’s beautiful life captured a piece of that journey and left an imprint so powerful that we cannot deny God’s work in her, through her, and now, as Stephanie, Clayton and Caleb would pray - through each of us. Just like those autumn moments that we’ve learned to cherish and saviour, we celebrate Dallyce’s life knowing full well that God has granted her peace. We pray now for our own peace as we put words to the memories of such a sweet, sweet angel.
Dallyce was born perfect and beautiful, loved and nurtured by the most amazing, strong family God could have ever picked – she was given the brightest of suns, protected by the safest of arms, and cared for with utmost tenderness and as hard, and sorrowful as it is she somehow knew she needed to take the same path as the ever-changing season, and was lovingly gathered back up to be an angel in God’s heavenly garden.
Maybe some of you were privileged to hear Caleb’s introduction of his new little sister….and so we begin Dallyce’s story by quoting her proud big brother, Caleb. “Caleb, who’s this?"
“This is my baby sister - Dallyce Joy Gartner”.
Dallyce was born on March 25th of this year, a quick and intense few hours at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon and the whole family was ready to go home to Martensville. We have all been amazed at the Gartner Family strength of character, and perseverance through all they have had to face over the last few months. But reflecting on some of Clayton and Stephanie’s stories, we have a sneaking suspicion their little girl knew more about what her family needed long before she was even born! – Let us start with Dallyce’s GRAND entrance into this earthly world – because it’s sure not hard to find hints of this family’s gift of faith, hope, strength, perseverance, and love…and just a little bit of craziness!
8:15pm Enter hospital
9:05pm Give birth, fall in love.
1200 am Get discharged.
McDonald’s drive through to follow.
Homeward bound to Martensville to cuddle in mommy and daddy’s big bed with them.
In a few short hours she was home safe in the arms of her family, getting right into the groove of Gartner life. What an entrance! Grandma Nesdoly told us that she believes that Dallyce somehow knew her parents had limited special time with her and therefore getting home couldn’t come fast enough. What a smart cookie!
Upon her arrival, she was as sweet and content as they come. Mommy would always tell her what a great baby she was. She was joyfully easy – breastfed well, went to sleep easily with a gentle stroke upon her face, loved to smile, rarely cried, and was adaptable to all of her surroundings. Dallyce – your mommy and daddy rave about your bright, sparkling blue eyes, and perfect skin, and they will never be able to stop talking about your cute gummy smile that could light up the entire room. You just seemed to love absolutely everyone that came to meet you as you were so open to being touched and loved. You were definitely your mommy and daddy’s little girl. As Stephanie put it, she was easy going yet still had that princess charm because if you ignored her for longer than she felt was appropriate she would make a little fuss just to let you know. Those cute little outfits and stylish barrettes just added a sense of girly flare to all the stories she would tell just by using her precious little face.
I think if your mommy and daddy were up here they would tell you that every moment with you and your brother was their favourite. The ones that really stand out for your daddy are the times when he held you strong, and daddy-like in the cradle of his forearm, watching your beautiful face, and cherishing the fact that your were his daughter. He also loved singing and dancing with his little girl at church and looked forward to those moments every week.
Your beautiful mommy never once felt it a chore to get up with you at night, she relished in those moments, taking them all in and loving every minute of it. She was able to breastfed you for a short time, which was a gift of bonding that you gave to her, and you adored being comforted by her hand stroking your cheek and face.
This loving family took such amazing care of Dallyce. When you think about all the little things that happened or that she did that were not necessarily clear during the tougher moments you can’t help but think that perhaps she was already guiding her family in way that is not meant to be fully understood until we meet her again in heaven.
Even when asked about the meaning of her name Stephanie and Clayton replied that Dallyce was chosen because it was unique and beautiful, and it turned out that it suited her just perfectly. Her middle name, Joy, was chosen as a testament to the deep and ever present joy they have in Christ, no matter what circumstances come their way. They know just how deep that
joy runs, and with the coming days, months and years ahead we hope you will continue to understand that. Even though you will be sad and long for her at times, you won’t have to reach far to truly feel her because you allow Jesus to carry you.
She required extra special handling and Stephanie and Clayton were so good showing Caleb how to hold her, help her, and gently love and play with her. Caleb you are such a great brother! Although Caleb is still young we can all take a role in helping him remember the moments he had with his sister. Like how he would show his grandma how to move her legs just the right way – the way mommy and daddy taught him. Perhaps one of the nicest stories that they can help him remember is time that Stephanie caught Caleb around the corner laying face to face with his new little sister. Caleb asked Dallyce if she wanted to play with him. He gently took her hands and said to her, “Clap just like this Dallyce.” And the two of them gazed at each other and played sweetly together.
Her Grandma’s both enjoyed cuddling and singing with her. They both commented on how she was the most gorgeous person they have ever seen, they loved her bright blue eyes, and her little tiny face was just kissable. Her Grandpa enjoyed making silly faces at her while she would lie next to him just so he could watch her eyes sparkle and get her to show him her cute smile. You gave her the gift of grandparent love – and you adapted to what she needed….that is a tremendous gift. She chose you as her grandparents and she knew you loved her.
Her Aunties and Uncles enjoyed special moments with Dallyce from strolling in the park on a sunny day, to quiet cuddle moments on the couch, to warding off all the excited big cousins that wanted to play with her. Dallyce also chose all of you to play a special role in her life. Because of your strong family bonds she knew that your roles would be far reaching and that you would be there in love and support for her family when she couldn’t be.
The Gartner Family friends – you were each a part of Dallyce’s journey because you are a part of this families life. You provided and will continue to provide constant support, fun game times, much needed laughter, lots of wonderful meals, and many words of encouragement and prayers. It is obvious that friends are an important part of Steph and Clay’s life and we know they appreciate everything you have done for them. You only have to look as far as their blog or facebook pages to see what kind of friends they are to others. They chose to be open and transparent about Dallyce’s story, because they wanted to support the SMA cause and include all of us on their journey. For that, we thank you and can only hope that our friendship in return can be as genuine and giving as yours has been to all of us.
The most beautiful part is that Dallyce was at the centre of all of this. She brought people together, she bridged friendships, she filled people up, she brought us closer to God, she has people talking far and near, some of whom Clayton and Stephanie don’t even know. She was and will continue to be a miracle – our earthly journeys are better because of her and it is up to us to keep the forward movement that she started - going. For such a tiny tender little girl – Steph, Clay, Caleb and family you should be sooo proud - what an accomplishment!
Clayton and Stephanie like most parents wanted to create beautiful memories with their children. They knew it would be extremely important to attend all family functions, travel near and far, and face any storms along the way. Stephanie and Clayton knew that their time with Dallyce was a precious gift. So, like any family they wanted have family time together travelling both far and near. The first stop was the Lenz family gathering on the 4th of July. As you can all imagine she stole the show with her sunny disposition. She even got to witness her big brother turn into a pirate on his 3rd birthday on July 10th. Dallyce then attended the annual GartNez Bocce ball classic. And in between games she even managed to lie on the kitchen table and help her mom cheat in Settlers. Then Mommy took Dallyce with her to volleyball camp in later July. Dallyce was such a friendly and easy- going baby. All of the kids ages 13-16 absolutely loved her. Dallyce was famous at Volleyball camp…everyone wanted to hold her and make her smile.
Clayton and Stephanie wanted to take a special trip with Caleb and Dallyce. And so, for 16 days at the end of July, beginning of August they went on a family trip. Although Dallyce’s health was starting to change, they knew that God was calling them to preserver once again and continue on their vacation. Stephanie and Clayton packed up their two small children and drove to British Columbia. They made many special stops on the way there and back spending time with family and great friends. One of Dallyce’s highlights from the trip was riding the Ferry from Tsawwassen to Sydney, Victoria. Dallyce loved the breeze on her face in general, but on the ferry it was constant and abundant. Dallyce even made it to the top of a mountain with her family. And thank heavens she even made it down from the mountain, because her daddy informed us that he was going quite fast and she wasn’t even buckled into her car seat….what a silly daddy! Next stop, Nesdoly Family Gathering in Leduc. Dallyce stole the show once again! In Edmonton, Dallyce swam in the hotel swimming pool with her parents and big brother. She loved being able to stretch out and be surrounded by the warm water. Mommy and Daddy’s highlight of the whole trip was walking around Victoria with their two beautiful children, cuddling Dallyce against the cool air coming off the Ocean. Time was non-existent for them and they were happy to be together. They could just walk with each other, experience God, and just simply be a family.
Dallyce got to visit Grandma Gartner’s cabin at Jackfish a couple of times during the summer as well. Mommy and daddy both smiled and laughed when they told us they made a bed for Dallyce on an old dresser built into the wall. They were so protective of her that they even opened the first drawer just in case she would take her first roll…at least she would be caught safely.
After Clayton and Stephanie celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary on August 28th, they decided it was time to get some family pictures done. They have been absolutely thrilled with the outcomes of these pictures. In the photos you can see two dedicated and devoted parents beaming as they gaze at their children. These pictures capture a thousand words. These pictures display smiles of love. These pictures will last a lifetime.
The fact that you had the vision and ambition to seek out a photographer at the time that you did – again speaks volumes to the linking of moments that occurred because of the grander plan that was at work. For those of you that don’t know the story, Stephanie and Clayton had taken their family to Superstore for a photo shoot – which incidentally did not go so well! Steph was looking around for a different venue and found a promotion on FB by a guy named Ted through New Image Photography. There had been a promotion on for a free shoot and so she wrote in explaining Dallyce’s situation. This kind man emailed right back to say that he would love to photograph their family – he even gave them all the photos on DVD at no charge. Although the timeliness and way this story unfolded is quite amazing – what we find even more profound is the email that he wrote after seeing her obituary in the Star Phoenix (which in a way echoes all of our sentiments) around Dallyce’s short life. He said, “After meeting Dallyce for just a short time three weeks ago when we did the family photo shoot, I can honestly say she had an impact on me that hasn’t left me since that day. That smile, those eyes, and the Love in her gaze as she looked at her loving parents will always be with me. Take care of yourselves and each other. Your angel is with you.”
Stephanie and Clayton created many wonderful life long memories with their children. They provided Dallyce with such a rich life on earth. However, life on earth for Dallyce was becoming more challenging as September moved forward. Up until Dallyce took her last breath, she fought extra hard. She had the perseverance gene just like her parents. Just after 7am on September 17th Clayton and Stephanie crawled into a bed with their sweet baby. Her mom and dad kept whispering “It’s OK honey, don’t worry about us we will be fine…go and be with Jesus”. The last 10 minutes of her life were the most beautiful time they had with her – everyone left their family alone to cuddle and breathe together as a united family, daddy and mommy gently blew on her face, and stroked her hair, and her cheeks until she took her last breath. It was beautiful, peaceful and natural – as it was when she entered the world. And Clayton and Steph wanted to make a special note that they are not angry with the way things went – because they got to spend almost 6 months with the most precious baby on earth.
We have an example to live by.
So take moments or many moments to saviour the impact that Dallyce has left for you. Speak her name often, remember her, when you feel a gentle breeze take a big breath and feel her arms wrap around you with love. Smile often, and hold each other close for a cuddle just because you need their smell close to your heart. When you squint at the bright sun you may feel her twinkling face shining back at you, and when you are near the water may you feel soothed, nourished, and satisfied just like Dallyce. Just as Clayton and Stephanie did every moment of every day they had with their daughter – remember to think of your loved ones as the most beautiful person on earth. May we all be as peaceful and content towards God’s plan for us as Dallyce was.
Dallyce Joy Gartner – thank-you for your life, and thank-you for your graceful entrance into heaven, you are loved by many; your loving family and friends will miss you. Take gentle care of her Jesus. Until we meet again…
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