1981-1996
Home With Her Heavenly Father
Dear family and friends,
As many of you know, our beautiful daughter, Katrina (Nash), who has been missing since June 18, 1996, at the age of 15, was found a week ago, on February 27, 2005, in a swampy desolate area of a local undeveloped park. We are relieved that she has been with our Heavenly Father all these years.
Because of the length of time her body has been exposed to the elements, the police have not been able to make a determination as to the cause of death or just when it took place. We choose to believe that the end came quickly for her; that Heavenly Father took her quickly, wrapped her in his arms and soothed away all hurt and terror that she might have suffered. Heavenly Father knows who is responsible for her death and justice is his. We anticipate a wonderful reunion with her after this life on earth.
We are so thankful for each one of you who has searched, prayed and supported our family through the many years. We have received so many calls, visits, flowers and other gifts that we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love we have received, especially this last week.
May Heavenly Father bless all of us in our continuing efforts to love and assist each other so we will be able to survive the difficult trials and tribulations that we may encounter in this journey through life.
Katrina's funeral will be on March 12, 2005, at 1:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3800 Henderson Blvd, Olympia, WA. She will then be buried at the Masonic Memorial Park at 455 North St, in Tumwater, WA, just about a mile from the church. You are welcome to join us.
On Wednesday you should be able to read her obituary on the Funeral Alternatives website (www.funeralalternatives.org). If you are not able to access it, let us know and we will send you a copy.
This gives us a lot of comfort regarding Katrina's last hours.
Vaughn J. Featherstone, The Incomparable Christ, Our Master and Model p. 9 & 10
"Some years ago I was invited to speak at the funeral service for Rachael Runyan, a beautiful, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl. I believe she was three or four years old. She had been kidnapped, and the entire nation was incensed at this act of horror as they sympathized with the anguished parents. Weeks later her body was found partially buried on a creek bank. She had been violated and must have been terrified beyond anything we can imagine for one so innocent and young.
I read and studied to prepare a funeral sermon, but I could not find anything that I thought could bring comfort to the parents, who must have trembled at thoughts of the horrific indignities suffered by this sweet little innocent soul. The day of the funeral I went to my office early and knelt in solitude. I pled with the Lord that I might be able to say something that would bring peace to two wonderful, innocent parents who had suffered more than anyone ought to suffer. Then I sat at my desk and began to write. The pen raced across the page sentence after sentence. In essence, I explained at the funeral that as soon as that sweet little soul had passed through the veil, she would have been cradled in the arms of a loving Father in Heaven. With one caress He could remove every horror, every terror, every indignity as though it had never happened.
I then explained that if God could do that on the other side of the veil, I was convinced that He could do the same on this side of the veil for Rachael’s parents. They could know that their innocent, sweet little daughter was totally healed. They need not carry the burden of hate, vengeance, anger, and bitterness that cankers the soul. According to the supreme goodness of God, they could leave justice to Him. Justice is beautiful and will be satisfied. Nothing shall be left undone.
So, dear friends, please take comfort in this thought and know that I have found great peace in the promises of the Gospel. And, remember that "Gospel" means "Good News" and that good news is that the Savior came and died for us, was resurrected for us, and opened the door for all of us to come home. How we get there is not important!
By President Vaughn J. Featherstone
Many people have asked how they can honor Katrina's memory. We have worked with a wonderful non-profit group called Team HOPE. It is an organization that provides help, support, and resources for families who have a missing child. It is a part of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. I (Dottie) have been a volunteer with them since 2000. Following is information on how to make a donation if you should be interested.
With love,
David and Dottie Nash and family
From Abby Potash
Team HOPE
310 Pensdale Street
Philadelphia, Pa 19128
866-305-4673
www.teamhope.org
Team HOPE, a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, is a peer support network for families with missing children. Established in 1998, Team HOPE matches searching families with experienced and trained volunteers who have had or still have a missing child. Volunteers speak from firsthand experience offering emotional support, compassion, guidance and empowerment. Courageous and empathetic volunteers have demonstrated their ability to turn their personal tragedies into vital lifelines of support for other families. Dottie Nash has been a dedicated volunteer since June 2000 and has assisted over 50 families with missing children. You may make a donation to Team HOPE via credit card or pledge by telephone at 1-866-411-KIDS (1-866-411-5437) toll-free between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (EST.)
Or make a contribution by mailing it to:
Team HOPE/NCMEC
Charles B. Wang International Children's Building
699 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3175
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