Casino Point Dive Accident 9/5/11

[bunnie sacco]

my name is bunnie and i was the best friend of the lady they tried help to save on monday 9/5 in catalina. I am so thankfull for the young man that tried to save her may god bless his soul~ if anyone has more info. for her family and i please post.we loved her and she will be missed dearly

 

[Boat Lender USA]

Bunnie I am so sorry. I know you and her family are hurting so. Please let her daughter know that we all loved her so much too and that her daughter was the light of her life. She will be missed dearly.

 

[bunnie sacco]

i will thank you so much~

 

[scubatomwetzel]

Jade,
Sorry for the the lost. I wish the whole family the best on the matter.

 

[scubatomwetzel]

Jade,
Sorry for the the lost. I wish the whole family the best on the matter.

 

[SDYC]

My name is Kyle Clark and I am the Vice Commodore at San Diego Yacht Club, where Debbie was our Bar Manager with over 13 years at our Club. Unlike most businesses and many Clubs, many of our employees are more like family and very close friends so needless to say this was a huge loss for all of us.

Debbie was the sole provider for her family, including her mother, daughter and 8 week old grand daughter. I had the privledge of meeting them all yesterday when they came to see the makeshift memorial that was set up by many of our members on Tuesday. Bottom line is that without Debbie, they have no other source of income.

Yesterday, SDYC set up a memorial fund at San Diego County Credit Union to benefit Debbie's family. While it will not take care of them indefinitely, our hope is that this can be used to cover Debbie's funeral expenses and give her family some financial assistance while they negotiate through the challenges of the next few months.

If you are moved to help Debbie's family, donations may be made directly at any branch to:
DEBBIE HOWARD MEMORIAL FUND
SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION
ACCOUNT NO. 418 93 79

 

[Boat Chick]

Kyle,

I am so sorry for Debbie's family's loss, and obviously yours and the people who knew and worked with Debbie. My heart aches for all of you as I know this must be so difficult.

Thank you for posting the information about the funds. Do you have a paypal account set up for donations? You might get more that way as well.

Again, please let her family and friends know that the dive community sends our heart felt condolences.

Cynde

 

[justlikeablonde]

For the family of Debbie= As we all remember 9-11 I too remember just a week ago gearing up to dive in Catalina and hearing the screams for help and diver down. I had briefly spoken with the buddy earlier that morning about visibility, surge, etc. She told me that this was just her 6th certified dive and was just so enthusiastic about getting into the water again. I did not know that your mother was her buddy nor did I see her at that time. While standing with a local friend praying that your mother would be alive I remembered something I want to share with you. While the sun was shining a few clouds opened up and gentle rain drops began to fall. I thought that although many tears were falling the heavens were opening up their doors to welcome home your mother. Soon the gentle rains drops stopped and the sun shone brilliantly. Although I know how much you wish she was there with you as I did when my husband died I do believe God called her home to Him.

 

[cheri&bill]

Please send mailing information to. I am not familiar with using Paypal but would gladly send funds to the family. I have a 22 year old daughter who would be devastated if this had been her mother. I also want the family know that their loss has opened alot of eyes for new divers such as me. I certainly have a new respect for diving and plan to dive in groups for the next year to gain more experience. Perhaps a new PADI requirement should be for newly certified divers to be required to dive in groups for a minimum number of dives rather than just the recommended buddy. Just as justlikablonde said, she is now in Gods hands and left behind a message to all new divers - Do not put you life and anothers life in the hands of someone that is not more experienced than you. Getting certified together as a couple like my husband and I did to combat empty nest is commendable but remember to protect yourselves so that your families are not faced with this kind of senseless loss! Which in our case (due to inexperience and a desire to "save the other at all costs" would result in a double loss to our children.

 

[keithbt]

If any good was to come from this, After witnessing this I enrolled in Rescue Diver Course. Hopefully to save someones life if i have to.