Apr 1

Apr 1 May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home

If there is a heaven, its been mighty busy up there in the Deadhead family corner.

Over the last nine weeks, we’ve painfully and lovingly bid goodbye to two unbelievably gorgeous women. Women who were so full of life, kindness, and compassion that it feels just wrong to refer to them in the past tense.

Waves of sorrow and loss continue to roll through our community.

The Deadhead community, despite being large and far reaching, can also feel like a close family at times. It’s fascinating how we connected we are, in a “six degrees of separation” kind of way. With a smaller core of dedicated Deadheads that attend many of the same overlapping shows, (JRAD, Billy Strings, Goose) it’s no small wonder that that we have grown into an extended family, complete with the love and the challenges that every family contains. I’m often reminded of a phrase from the Al-Anon closing statement:

“After a while, you’ll discover that while you may not like all of us, you’ll love us in a very special way.”

Despite our differences, and they can be vast, that common core binds us together in a beautiful web.

Only a week after Playing In the Sand 2023, we learned the unbelievably crushing news that our beloved sister, Robin Von Hellens had suddenly and inexplicably passed in her Phoenix home on January 25th.

Robin, a stunning redhead with a miles wide grin, was an RN at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. But more than a nurse, Robin was a healer. She was a glowing, luscious, spirited, give-you-the shirt-off-her-back kind of woman that I only wish I had known longer and more deeply. Since Robin and I both work in healthcare, and had many mutual friends, we started talking while her mother was on hospice. I was also journeying with my ailing parents, and we shared our experiences and began a friendship. Meeting in person was as affirming as I suspected, and I hold these memories dearly.

Robin was incredibly beloved by the JRAD and Dead communities, which span both coasts. Everywhere Robin went, and whomever she touched, unquestionably sensed her warmth, compassion, and sweet-spicy nature. Robin and her person and soulmate, Tony Scialabba radiated positivity and unmistakable love. We bear witness to this deep love and the indescribable loss.

Robin’s loving communities honored her at JRAD’s 10th anniversary at the Capitol Theater on January 27/28/29, which she had been planning to attend. The JRAD Krewe and the Cap honored Robin through their marquee, which simply stated, “RIP ROBIN VON HELLENS THE CAP WILL MISS YOU” (after a humorous misspell, the Cap good naturedly fixed the error). Soon after, Robin’s local Arizona music community also honored her with a celebration of life.

**The Capitol Theater, Portchester NY. JRAD Anniversary 2023**

Robin’s dear friend Steve Z. from Chicago shared the following:

Robin was a nurse in the holiest of ways. A caregiver in heart and soul, on or off the clock, her head was always on a bit of a swivel at shows to see if anyone might need help, and many times she was there to help someone. The rest of us go to shows for a great tune, a sweet dance, and a hug and smile with a friend. Robin did too, but always was aware of others in that special way. That’s love”.

All that energy and spirit that made Robin the sparkling being that she was, must surely now be carried with us in our consciousness, and in our hearts.

Fare you well~

We love you more than words can tell~

Scarcely two months after Robin Von Hellens passed, our community is newly reeling from the terrible blow of losing another phenomenal human, Marlene Valdez Pace on March 23, 2023. Marlene’s Celebration of Life will be happening this afternoon, April 1, 2023.

Marlene, only 42, died of a catastrophic stroke while repairing cattle fencing on her family’s rural property in Pueblo, Colorado with her sons, Wyatt, 16, Carlo, 13, and Carlo’s friend Logan. Unbelievably, Wyatt managed to lift Marlene to her vehicle, called 911, and drove 30 minutes to meet the rescue squad at a less rural location for transport to Parkview hospital. Marlene, a committed organ/tissue donor, has shared the ultimate gift of life.

Our girl was so full of love, and a devoted incredible mother, from listening to her proudly share about her beloved children, Wyatt, 16, Carlo, 13, and Alana, 11.

To know Marlene, (also known affectionately as ‘Marlene VP’) was to know soulfulness. Marlene went deep. She was a searcher, a dreamer, and a lover. I can’t say enough good things about her, other than to say that every moment spent with Marlene was lovely.