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 POST YOUR TRIBUTE TO GAYLYNN ON HER TRIBUTE FORUM After a 12 year battle with cancer, Gaylynn HanavanCoon, our much loved Queen Voice, passed away on September 17, 2007. She was just 44. Gaylynn joined BF in September 2000 as a non-cyclist, but resolutely became a super fit and proud owner of a SatRDay, then a DoubleDay, and finally, a Pocket Rocket Pro Petite in her signature color - princess pink. She relished the opportunity to ride her Fridays at her favorite bicycling events: Northwest Tandem Rally, Portland Bridge Pedal, Cinderella Century and the Sutherlin Memorial Weekend, often accompanied by husband Monty (Bike Friday Service Tech), and their two children Madeline and Elliott. People loved Gaylynn's cheeky, cheery vibe (peppered with a wry hint of mischief) and the way she welcomed customers into the Bike Friday family. She knew a great many customers and vendors by name, the last trip they did, and the Bike Friday they rode. Gaylynn was an avowed crusader for breast cancer awareness, and we're very thankful for the number of times she was able to bounce back to health due to her unstoppable will and love of life. Bike Friday's warm personality was truly shaped by Gaylynn. We will miss her and always remember her - not least whenever we see the color pink. Below are some words from people who felt especially close to her. Please feel free to post your tribute on the Gaylynn Tribute Forum. A memorial service for Gaylynn will be held at the Eugene Bible College on Oct 14th, 2007, at 2pm. Pictured above: Gaylynn in pink (of course), with her ergonomic office chair (and 16" tire). Below: with her Princess Pink Pocket Rocket Pro Petite |
 Gaylynn is a role model for me. No matter how sick she was, she never lost her feisty sense of humor. She never wanted you to feel sorry for her, and always had an incredibly strong positive mental attitude that kept her going through round after round of debilitating chemo and radiation treatments. Whenever I am feeling down and having a pity party for myself, I think of her and how she tackled all of her difficulties head on. I can hear her saying "quit your whining, it's not like you're dying" and it puts things into sharp perspective. She always had a genuine interest in your family and your life, would always lend a sympathetic ear, and didn't want to dwell on her own challenges in life. - Dave Seybert, BF Sales Expert For the past 7 years I have breathed a sigh of relief every time Gaylynn answered the phone. Firstly, because I then knew she was safe and sound wrapped in the loving arms of Bike Friday, and secondly because I knew my reason for calling would be handled with the utmost courtesy and professionalism. I know that Gaylynn is still wrapped in loving arms and is still safe and sound. For this knowledge, I continue to breath with the inspiration that she bestowed on all of us - but I will miss that vision of this wonderful "little person" with the heart and will of a locomotive. Gaylynn had that wonderful pixie dust with the "secret sauce" that she bestowed liberally on all of us and I want you to know that I pray that it never wears off. Gaylynn, I miss you, I love you. - Jeff Linder, BF Patron and ambassador-at-large I would have to say Gaylynn is the strongest person I know to date - with the strength of an army, and a heart of a lion. Even though she is now on her journey, her loving spirit will live with us always. Towards the end, she told me she wanted to come back as an eagle so she could soar through the clouds above and watch over us all. She will be missed, even though she really isn't very far away. Peter "3Pete" Berra, BF Sales Expert 3 words - Kind, Caring, Loving - Hugh Larkin, BF Customer Service Tech "Gaylynn you always made me happy to call Bike Friday and hear your beautiful voice." - Mel @ Tandems East, Bike Friday Test Rider Dealer |
Gaylynn's Pocket Rocket Pro Petite is now permanently displayed above her former desk at Bike Friday. A small amount of her ashes accompanies the bike. Below, a picture of her riding a tandem with husband and BF Service Tech Monty Coon, an incredible lifelong support for her and who has shown incredible strength through a very difficult time.
TONS OF YOU will be familiar with the indefatigable Gaylynn HanavanCoon, our much-loved Queen Voice (receptionist) and all-round 'make-it-happen' girl. In fact, some customers like multiple-BF owner Dan Kaljian say they call up 'just to hear her wonderful cheery voice'. What you may not know is that Gaylynn has been fighting cancer for a number of years. She survived breast cancer a couple of years ago, and has undergone chemotherapy for traces found in her brain. She bounces back to good health with a lot of bike riding and positive thinking (and not putting up with anyone's nonsense!). Keep up with her progress here PS: her favorite color is pink. Anything, everything, pink.
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AUGUST 4, 2007: A letter to Bike Friday People: to post on the Bike Friday website. Watch our birthday wish to Gaylynn, September 4, 2007
My health has declined to the point that I had to make one of the hardest decisions in my life. To leave Bike Friday. One of the scariest days of my life was September 5t 2000 when I started a job at Bike Friday that I was sure I could not do. By the time May 30th 2007 arrived, Bike Friday had become a passion that had really helped me through a very hard struggle with cancer in my life.
I am very thankful for Hanz and Alan taking the chance to hire and groom me into what I was able to become for Bike Friday. An example of this change is that I used to eat lunch at Taco Bell and now I eat soybeans.
I need to express a thank you for all the friendships I established through events and travel at Bike Friday. I value each and every one of you and thank you for the prayers, support and positive good wishes.
Thank you all again from the deepest part of my heart.
Gaylynn (Queen Voice)
JANUARY 2007: Message from Gaylynn
I am under going my 5th battle with cancer, there is something to be said for strong willed people. Now that I have hung on so long, the FDA has released a new chemotherapy drug targeted for the type of tumor that I have. So on goes the battle with very high hopes for a positive outcome, with 4 done and 6 to go keep all you positive thoughts, prayers, emails and cards coming in ... they make me stronger. I am still at work 1/2 days, 3 days a week, so call and get your bike ready for Spring so we can all go out and ride together. Many thanks to all for staying by my side on this long journey (much longer then I wanted ) keep the wind at our backs and a smile on your face. - Gaylynn, Queen voice of bike Friday
At Bike Friday many staff have given their wellness and vacation days to Gaylynn. And some wonderful customers have been very generous. Dan K has donated a second bicycle to be sold with the proceeds going to help Gaylynn's recovery and significant medical bills. Thank you Dan! - LC
JUNE 2005: She's back in the saddle!
After undergoing advanced treatment for 4th time cancer, Gaylynn is back in the saddle at Bike Friday, and already planning events like triathlons and the Cinderella Century - for herself. She and husband Monty were recently seen pulling a group of riders along on the annual Sutherlin Memorial Weekend Ride just outside Eugene (join us next year!).
I've sat opposite Gaylynn at work for 4 years and watched her move in and out of treatment, losing weight, hair (regaining it several times), but never her fighting spirit and cheeky sense of humor. I've also seen her move through a Sat R Day, DoubleDay, fast Pocket Rocket Pro Petite and now a sporty TiLite Tandem XL.
And look at her now - trim, fit, and juggling all the responsibilities of an office, a working mother of two and husband of an 'extreme salmon fisherman' (on weekends). Not to mention being the soup Mama and leader of the Bike Friday Club of Eugene's monthly social ride.
Customers just love her. You can reach her at gaylynnc at bikefriday dot com or leave a message on the message board above, or wish her well next time you call in.
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A fabulous trim 'n' taut Gaylynn tests out the Windwrap fairing for her Sat R Day. 'Too heavy and too expensive', she said, of the faring. Back to the drawing board ... along with a newer, liter, faster Sat R Day-to-be!
OCTOBER 29, 2003: Some exploratory work
Just this morning, she was admitted to hospital again for some exploratory surgery in her colon following a routine checkup. She is determined to come back to work Friday - there's just no stopping the unstoppable Gaylynn.
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ABOUT GAYLYNN AND HER FAMILY
Gaylynn's kids are Elliot and Madeline, and hubby is fishing fanatic Monty.
She start out life as a hairdresser and still cuts the hair of Bike Fridayt employees.
She doesn't just talk Bike Friday, she lives and breathes them, her famous quote being 'if anyone dares take my Sat R Day away from me I'll gouge their eyes out with a rusty spoon'.
She rides the family DoubleDay with Elliot and Monty as you can see here and after a determined and successful effort to lose weight is now about to take delivery of a Pocket Rocket Pro Petite. She's the driving force behind the Bike Friday Club of Eugene monthly ride, providing soup and cheer for participants.
Gaylynn is one of those rare jewels who makes you realize whatever you have been whining about in the past few days probably doesn't matter at the end of the day. Please join us in helping her win this important third battle.
Gaylynn in action:
* Click here to see her talking to BF owner Dr Glen Gordon, with her hair growing back after her recent bout of chemo.
* Gaylynn and her pink Pocket Rocket Pro Petite
* Gaylynn and son Elliot ride the family DoubleDay
* Gaylynn rides the Cinderella Century, March 2003
* Here's a little movie of Gaylynn (450kb) talking about a fairing for her Sat R Day. (You'll need something like Quicktime (free download) to see it).
"THIS BIKE IS SO FAAASSSST!"Once a dedicated Sat R Day rider, Gaylynn HanavanCoon is now going for comfort AND speed on her new Gaylynn-pink Pocket Rocket Pro Petite.
Shortcuy to this article: http://www.bikefriday.com/gaylynn