Yow memories from across the miles

In 1990, a mother was having several large packages gift-wrapped at Belk’s in Cary Village Mall. All the packages contained the latest wearing apparel of the UNC-CH Tar Heel basketball team. Of course, all of the packages were being wrapped in Carolina Blue paper. The mother was proudly, and enthusiastically, telling us all that her son had just gotten word that he had received a basketball scholarship to UNC-CH. She was extremely proud and very excited.  

As the last package was wrapped, a lady waiting in line behind the mother stepped forward and said, “I am so excited for you and your son that he is going to Carolina to play basketball.  I would like to put a big ribbon on that big package for him if you don't mind.”  The mother agreed, thanking the lady profusely, and repeating to all how proud she was of her son.

The other lady pointed to the gift wrapping lady and said, “I want that wide red ribbon for this package.”  The mother looked at the lady asking for the red ribbon with a combination of dismay, puzzlement and some disapproval. But the gift wrapper wrapped the big package in red ribbon. Then the lady said to the mother as she offered her hand to her, “Congratulations to your son and to you.  And I’m Kay Yow, the coach of the N.C. State Wolfpack women’s basketball team!” Then they hugged amid loud cheers and much clapping.

The mother was thrilled to tears, and Coach Yow was beaming.

Stephen Denny
Roanoke, Va.

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I will always remember marching alongside Kay Yow at a Race for the Cure walk, months after I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. She was so confident and optimistic about our futures.

She gave me the pep talk I needed to keep me going.

The News & Observer took our picture and ran it. I still have a copy, and I look at it every year on my survivor’s anniversary and remember her strength that day. This past December marked 16 years.

As a graduate of N.C. State, I was devastated when we lost Coach V. to cancer. Now this disease has taken a second coach from us. They were both heroes on and off the courts, and they both contributed so much to educating us about living with cancer. Now they have both taught us about dying with dignity.

They will never know the effect they had on my life. But I will never forget either of them. The photo of Kay and me is now framed on my wall.

Dana Schroeder Dittmar
Apollo Beach, Fla.
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When I received a note about Kay Yow, I was heartbroken. She was a powerful woman but lived her life within her means. I am so proud of her, and I am proud of Raleigh for giving such a gracious “Good-bye” to Kay.

Dianne Kolconay
La Jolla, Calif.