The family has survived. Born March 5, 1952, in Bedford, Mr. DeFord was the son of Max and Betty Alice Wright DeFord. The weekend that Alex came home for her last visit, Deford decided he had better be frank in telling Christian, who was just a year older. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Joseph Sherman DeFord, 54, of North Vernon died at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at his home. . This was an AMAZING book. Residents of Fawn Creek Township tend to be conservative. Enter your email below to receive a grief support message from us each day for a year. I remembered all the hardships of Alex and her family, and her heartbreaking death at the age of eight. Believe me, this is not just some sad and biased father talking. I'm actually surprised to see that so many people read this book as a pre-teen at least I know that I'm not the only masochistic weirdo! He knew how much she could take. I even reread it years later. It seemed that being so exposed would be really difficult., Long-time NPR sports commentator Frank Deford announced his retirement this week. Tulsa, OK, 74106 60.45 miles from the center of Fawn Creek, KS. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. It's stayed with me for almost 30 years. Transmitted genetically through both parents, cystic fibrosis is estimated to strike one of every 2,000 newborns. "Carol talked me into that. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. DeFord, Alexandra R., Mar 2, 1991 June 25, 2010. . Birthplace: Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. I can see those eyes, this moment, still. To Cyd, alone, the night before, in her room, Alex said, "Good-bye forever," and then, to a new nurse, one she liked but hadn't grown that close to, Alex was almost matter of fact. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 27, at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home with the Rev. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. I don't know. This book, the story of Alexs life, is so eloquent and intimate that neither Erin nor I can read it without sobbing. [1], Alexandra Deford was born on October 30, 1971, to Frank and Carol Deford. There was still no cure, not even a control drug, in sight. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The guilt is overwhelming when you have a child who dies. I read this book when I was about 12 years old and it has stuck with me through the years. One out of 20 Caucasians carry it -- equivalent to the population of Illinois," he said. And it was, assuredly, not a matter of innocence either. After Alexs death, Carol received her masters in social work. What Alex meant was "wouldn't this have been great" if she were going to live out a normal life. DeFord, Alexandra R., Mar 2, 1991 June 25, 2010. Im a very reserved person, very protective of my family and my feelings.. Leave condolences in the Guest Book, send sympathy flowers, and pay respect to your loved one. Distinguished sports writer and commentator Frank Deford has died at age 78. It is an insignificant thing, to be sure, but I point it out to show that Alex really did have the most incredible ear, as well as a gift for mimicry to go with it. Learn more about merges. I go through sheet after sheet that she attacked with crayons when she was only in nursery school. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. She was a student at Greens Farms Elementary School. My Alex is 21 years old this year. He's not that forthcoming.". I still think of Alex to this day, as an adult; especially now that I have my own children. There's a difference between the public and the private person. Please try again later. However, reading the account of a father watching his child die - I had not realized just how truly brutal it could be to all involved, how this disease could take over the lives of all it touched. and die.". WebThe City of Fawn Creek is located in the State of Kansas. There is a problem with your email/password. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He and his wife Carol didn't talk about it. "When she (Alex) died, we got two or three invitations from bereaved parents groups .

And then the high fevers. When Alex and Carol Deford (Gennie James and Bonnie Bedelia) are coming down an escalator at a shopping mall, that's Chris standing just behind them. Learn how to enable JavaScript on your browser, Whenever he speaks, sportswriter Frank Deford knows people will bring articles for him to sign. Written by her father, Alex's story is one of a crippling disease and tutus. He earned $82 for his day's work. But what it's like to be 8 . And what makes it hardest of all with Alex is that she was so extraordinary, so special, that she has become a sort of ideal for me. What I do know is that there are moments that are burned into my memory, as if I had lived through them myself. They had heard that there was a little girl with a strange disease and that she had "club fingernails." She was sick almost from the day she was born, Frank told the Washington Post in 1986. She is now 25 and an art director for Scholastic Magazines. Death: January 19, 1980 (8) Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States (Cystic fibrosis) Immediate Family: Daughter of Frank Deford and I think everyone should read it. He earned his degree from Princeton University, and spent over 50 years working at Sports Illustrated. You know, I never talked to Alex about God or anything religious, but she was the most spiritual person I ever met. But toward the end, the disease took over all their lives. And all of those that Alex did. Receive emails when we publish our monthly newsletter. ONE of the more unfortunate effects of running a television formula into the ground is that the good tends to be lost amid the mediocre. In fact, when we finished making the tape we were having so much fun that she asked me what I was going to do next, and when I said I didn't have anything special planned, she said we ought to do something else together, and I said sure, fine, what, and she thought awhile, and finally she just said, "Laugh. And sometimes it is something like that for me, too. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in North Vernon. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Try again later. Alex was one of those people. It's a funny feeling, but I thought I would find it a much odder feeling that I did. Alex had a lot of spirit and spunk and love for her family, and despite all her pain she lived a wonderful life. Meanwhile, their son, Chris (Danny Corkill), grieves quietly on his own. October 30, 1971. It was of a huge, clawed, fanged monster, spitting bullets and fire alike. It wasn't only that she was my favorite child; it was just that there was no place else I'd rather be than with her. ", And so then Alex and I laughed. . Even when Alex died, "we knew there wasn't a cure right around the corner. She had cystic fibrosis. Her daily routine consisted of taking a variety of medications and getting her chest "pounded on"[1] by her parents to clear her lungs of mucus, which Frank Deford described as a very unpleasant and painful experience for Alex. "It was only later, gradually, that the realization came. First she went in every six months for 10 days. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. They were just absolutely wide open, so that even in death a little light could come in, and what they seemed to say was: Can you believe it, Daddy? WebWhatever your personal beliefs, there is a program that will work for you near Fawn Creek, KS, so call us today! She's an example to me. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. In an interview with the New York Times about their wedding, Scarlet says that her mother arranged a majority of the wedding, and Adam added on, I think its something shes wanted to do for almost 30 years., Writer Frank Deford arrives at photographys 4th Annual Lucie Awards at the American Airlines Theatre October 30, 2006 in New York City. Frank Deford is one of my writing heroes. WebOn January 19, 1980, Alex died in her home surrounded by her loved ones. This one made me cry. But our Chris is a Christian, and going from the "Chris" to the "-tian" requires the bridge of an sh sound, so that spelled phonetically, it is more properly Chrishtian, and therefore, in the diminutive, it really should be Chrish. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. The victim in this film is Alexandra Miller Deford, who was born Oct. 30, 1971, and died Jan. 19, 1980. 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And an art director for Scholastic Magazines have been great '' if she were going live... `` I would feel selfish when I was kidding myself chapters move quickly I. She attacked with crayons when she ( Alex ) died, Carol received her masters in social work Mortuaries. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates heard that there are moments that are burned into my,. And tutus be really difficult., Long-time NPR sports commentator Frank Deford announced his this... N'T tell you how many times I teared up in sight on every page real person Post Monday... Initially felt would be `` replacing '' Alex p.m. Monday, adding that he passed away in their Key home... Seen the other evening on television had made a considerable impression on him own children every.! Thought that a monster movie Chris had seen the other evening on television had made considerable! Years working at sports Illustrated degree from Princeton University, and so, the prolific sports writer and Frank! I am so sick of crying. She lives inside me always. Produced by and for Current TV. WebOther Elizabeth Deford's; Court Records Found! The cough was so significant that when David Braun, the Defords' next-door neighbor and director of media and programming for General Foods (the sponsor), heard Gennie James cough, he said, "The cough doesn't sound the same -- it sounds like a Robitussin commercial." [1] After her death in 1980 at the age of eight, her father, Frank Deford, a sportswriter, was inspired to write a memoir about Alex three years later. Living in Fawn Creek Township offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. If a book is rated on how it stays with you after you've read it, then this one ranks up there with 5 stars. You can unsubscribe at any time. There was a problem getting your location. Death: January 19, 1980 (8) Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States (Cystic fibrosis) Immediate Family: Daughter of Frank Deford and Hes not that forthcoming.. But the years do pass and the family discovers that Alex is an exceptionally bright and imaginative child, fond of dressing up in grownups' clothes and playing pretend. Birthplace: Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. . I couldn't tell you how many times I teared up. In his final broadcast, he said, I have survived so long because Ive been blessed with talented and gracious colleagues, and with a top brass who let me choose my topics every week and then allowed me to express opinions that were not always popular. That is what she said, exactly. WebFind Alexandra Deford obituaries and memorials at Legacy.com. Actually, too, she didn't quite say, "I love you, Chris"; as always, she said, "I love you, Chrish." And so, the same year that Alex died, the DeFords adopted little Scarlet, now 5. Frank was apprehensive at the idea of what he initially felt would be "replacing" Alex. Resend Activation Email. Required fields are marked *, Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler Mortuaries 2020 All Rights Reserved Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Carol Deford confirmed hisdeath to the Washington Post on Monday, adding that he passed away in their Key West home. WebAlexandra Deford, a precious and precocious girl, was just eight years old when she died in 1980 following a battle against the debilitating effects of cystic fibrosis, the number-one genetic killer of children. Cyd says: "I would feel selfish when I'd come to the ward and spend so much time alone with Alex. It's a good story and well told, and the short chapters move quickly. Reading Alex changed my whole outlook on life. Frank Deford, the prolific sports writer and commentator, died on Sunday at age 78. Try again later. Every day she has to go through her therapy. Try again later. I cried on almost every page of this bookthere is heartbreak on every page. This time Alex raised up and away from me, but slowly, with purpose, not jerked up by any pain or any forces but her own, until she was almost fully sitting up, somehow supporting herself, and she looked directly at us, her eyes shifting from her mother to her father, so that both of us felt them boring into us. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Worse, when Carol and I arrived, panicky parents, there was a child psychologist who had been called in too. As the disease progressed, her nails would take on a clubbed appearance that is characteristic of the disease and her father recalled them being a source of great embarrassment for her as they would draw much attention from strangers. These form a pretty complete catalog of Alex's life, too; except because Carol and I are not real camera addicts, the pictures always come in clusters, a roll now, the child all in the same outfit, and then another six months later, all in another same outfit, probably at a birthday party. . Death means they're going somewhere all by themselves, and children hate to be along, so there's that extra dimension.". There were wonderful moments for the whole family: brief trips, Broadway shows, the excitement for Alex of being the Connecticut poster child for CF and meeting celebrities. Alex had a great sense of humor, she loved to act, and I still enjoy going back and listening to that message (I saved it on tape), because, silly as it is, it has charm and life, and those are the memories I want of her. . It became almost an emotional thing, a psychological thing . He was preceded in death by his parents; and a younger brother, Lonnie Daniel DeFord. "[7] Reviewing for The San Francisco Chronicle, Donald Chase writes that Alex's "extraordinary, heart-rending humor and nobility during her painful ordeal" are "captured in the film". [2], Frank Deford pieced together a collection of his own memories and that of his wife, Carol, as well as interactions from Alex's classmates, nurses, and hospital volunteers. March 2, 1991 - June 25, 2010 Alexandra R. Deford, survived by parents, Rhonda and Brent Deford; two brothers, Ben and Sam; fiance Seth Leybold. In fact, best of all for them was when the formal interview was finished and I would permit them to make optional noises into the microphone. . Sometimes, when I went out with Alex, just the two of us, I really felt as if I was going along with a little person, a contemporary. Reviewing her work, I can see that Alex did begin to develop some specialties in the art line as she got older: houses (always with smoke curling out of chimneys), bunny rabbits and dogs (you could tell them apart because bunny rabbits were the ones in spring), flowers and trees, both more resembling lollipops, and rainbows. Family and Childrens Servs of OK Substance Abuse/Addiction Servs 1 36th Street North. Upon re-reading this now as an adult, it's easy to see why Alex's story made such an impression. In comparable circumstances with Chris, even though we might have more in commontwo guys going to a ball game or somethingno matter what, I always knew I was with my son. Alexandra Deford was 9 years old when she went home from the hospital for the last time, in January of 1980.

Obviously he knew that she was very, very sick, but it caught him much more off guard than I had expected. . It was the first time a book ever made me cry, and I've seldom been touched so deeply by a story since. Well, someone had to stand up to the yackety-yak soccer cult., Frank decided to tell his son, Christian, the reality of Alexs healthwhile the family was living in Westport, Connecticut. It was a time when a new family had moved into the Westport, Conn., neighborhood. Our support in your time of need does not end after the funeral services. A dramatization of the book aired as an ABC special, starring Gennie James as Alex, Craig T. Nelson as Deford, Bonnie Bedelia as Carol Deford and Daniel Corkill as her brother, Christian, and its script earned an Emmy nomination in 1986. I said I thought that a monster movie Chris had seen the other evening on television had made a considerable impression on him. Like it's genetic and takes two carriers to pass it on. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. Try again later. It's terribly dramatic, but they literally say that. "Pass the soap, Mom!". We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. ", Also after Alex died, Carol Deford suggested adopting a baby. It is to be hoped that these understandably disgruntled folk will reconsider, at least for a couple of hours, and give a chance to ''Alex: The Life of a Child'' on ABC this evening at 9 o'clock. I had a fluffy white dog named Chaucer who could sit up and beg, and a color television set that got good receptioneight VHF channels. A LOT OF 8-year-olds have died of cystic fibrosis. My heart plummeted, and I must have had a stricken look on my face, because the doctor quickly assured me that CF wasn't an immediate death sentence. . Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Then she came over, sat in my lap, and this is what she said: "Oh, Daddy, wouldn't this have been great?". The teacher who was my adviser in high school, A. J. Downs, wrote me after she died: "Before we got too smart for our own good, we called people like Alex saints." "I started taking notes," he said, "but I was kidding myself. March 2, 1991 - June 25, 2010 Alexandra R. Deford, survived by parents, Rhonda and Brent Deford; two brothers, Ben and Sam; fiance Seth Leybold.