Gayle Dubowski asked another disciple to teach her how to make a difference with her life. Little did Gayle know how her untimely death would touch so many. See the reports and comments from around the world.
The righteous perish,
and no one ponders it in his heart;
devout men are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.
Those who walk uprightly
enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death. Isaiah 57:1-2 NIV
On Wednesday night, between 1,000 to 1,500 people gave tribute to Gayle's life in the same high school gym where she graduated only two years ago in Carol Stream, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. One week ago today her life and four others were snuffed out by a mentally disturbed gunman in a large lecture hall at Northern Illinois University.
As messages of compassion poured in from campus ministries and churches, students drove from Columbia, Missouri to offer their comfort at the wake on Tuesday and then turned around and returned that night. Messages of love and prayer are posted on the Gayle Dubowski Facebook Memorial page from the 2,377 members from all corners of the globe and around the US.
Former teachers, high school and college friends, her youth minister, her campus minister and elder along with her high school choir and others brought her life to light. Gayle recently asked Claudia Rushton, her good friend in the NIU campus ministry of the Chicago Church of Christ, "Teach me how to make a difference." Claudia shared, "Gayle truly made a difference -- just look around." Already at least one person studying the Bible in another city, moved by Gayle's life, has decided to be baptized as a disciple of Jesus. Gayle, who struggled through her shyness to consistently share her faith, is undoubtedly rejoicing in heaven.
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At the service, with great courage Gayle's parents Joe and Laurel Dubowski thanked everyone for their love and support. Joe delivered a truly moving eulogy sharing about finding Gayle's Bible open on her bed in her apartment just as it had been while she lived at home. He remembered staying up late with her answering and pondering many questions as she was struggling to be sure her faith was her own. She was baptized as a teen in the summer of 2003 and is repeatedly honored as a joyful person who loved God and served others.
Inside the cover of her Bible, her parents found a picture of Gayle and her Dad at a Daddy - Daughter Dance several years ago. Joe said, "I will keep that picture with me always."
Joe ended his eulogy by quoting the famous chorus from one of Gayle's favorite musicals, Les Miserables. Then he said, "Gayle's run the race. ... Now, it's up to you and me."
Curt Simmons, minister and friend penned the following poem that appeared on the memorial program:
WELL DONE