If you want to watch a heart-wrenching video, go to Dietta Harden Goush’s Facebook page and click on the URL for the White Hall Elementary dedication of a plaque in memory of Dietta’s granddaughter, Brogan Raddish, killed by cancer at the age of 14 in 2009.

Brogan fought the terrible disease for eight years.

Ever since, Dietta, Class of 1959, sells Paparazzi jewelry online and jewelry and T-shirts at various events for the Brogan Raddish Scholarship Fund, which has reached $9,000.

At my request, Dietta provided more details:

“Brogan was just ready to enter kindergarten when the doctor told us she had Ewing's Sarcoma. She went to White Hall Elementary for five years through fourth grade. She loved that school and felt so safe there because they treated her like a student and friend not like a sick child.

“She had several home-bound teachers thru the years when she couldn't attend and always made the honor roll because she always wanted to learn.

“I presented the memorial plaque to the principal this week to hang in the hallway at the school that she loved so much. I have raised almost nine thousand dollars for scholarships in her memory and just presented the third thousand dollars last month to a senior going into pediatric nursing. Any other questions please pm me.  Thanks for doing this also.”

Dietta is an assistant teacher at North Central Community Action. 

Brogan’s parents, Marcie Goush Raddish of Monongah and Mark Raddish of Fairmont, were at the Brogan dedication.

Fairmont West High handles the money and writes the checks to the scholarship winners. Brogan was a freshman at Fairmont West in her final year of life.

The Brogan Camille Raddish playground is next to the Rails of Trails by the Monongah town parking lot.

Debby Morrison Harden, Class of 1966, is the widow of Dietta’s brother, Gary Harden, Class of 1964, who passed away in 2011.

If you want to join this remarkable cause, send your check, made out to

Brogan Raddish Scholarship Fund

To

 

Dietta Harden Goush

675 Cottage Street
Monongah, WV 26554

I did. I am proud to be part of remembering Brogan.