Deidra Burtonelli- 1986-2010
Entertainment, News2 — By Buddy Sampson on September 27, 2010 at 7:31 pm
As a child, Deidra had dreams of being a TV host and interviewer and often role played with her father, renowned artist Roederick Vines and her taking turns interviewing each other. It helped in her later interviews as a professional. A terrific interviewer and host, Deidra attended Charles W. Eliot Middle School in Altadena and John Muir High School in Pasadena and excelled in English and History. Roland Bynum, one of her teachers in high school, who was also a radio personality, mentored her and recognized her as a budding talent. Additionally, the creative lady dabbled in art and music, playing keyboards and clarinet. A humble soul, she never mentioned her accomplishments. However, she received honors for writing and English, including an award from California State University and was a fantastic student. She was a volunteer at the Jackie Robinson Center in their after school program and worked as a volunteer in nursing homes. A former student of Pasadena City College, Deidra was a quick study at everything she chose to embark on. When she came to work for The Scoop LA, she did her first red carpet interview, interviewing the cast of the Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire. Although nervous, she displayed a natural talent that couldn’t be taught. Louise Bartholomew, Deidra’s grandmother, spoke of her accomplishments. “In her 24 years, she has lived a lifetime,” said Louise Bartholomew. “Because a lot of people have never gone outside of their area. She had the experience of going to school and travelling and working in various occupations and that is a lot to say for 24 years.”
But Deidra fought a very silent fight, a fight that few were aware of, except for those in her close immediate circle. “She had her first stint of cancer when she was 17,” said Roederick Vines. “She went through the treatments and everything.” Diagnosed with lymphoma, she suffered through painful bone marrow, radiation and chemotherapy treatments upon graduating from high school. She went into remission for a few years, until it reappeared a few years ago. Throughout it all, Deidra was courageous, with few who knew the painful battle she faced on a constant basis. Deidra chose to focus on her career and she was very successful, on the brink of superstardom.
Deidra’s father wrote a song about his daughter for a play that he hopes that will bring awareness about cancer and the plight of young men in the community. “I’m very, very enthusiastic about getting this play out there,” he said.
Although Deidra attended many events, she never was an individual that hung out on the Hollywood scene. She didn’t believe in hanging out or was the type of person that would go to an event and party later. She believed in family first, and often spent time with them. “She was always family-oriented,” said Vines. “She spent every Christmas with us. Tan (Deidra’s Mom) let her spend the Christmases in Georgia with us.”
One of Deidra’s last assignments was to cover the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, a member of the brass of the Pageant attempted to exclude her for doing interviews. Undaunted, Deidra was determined. She was going to get her interviews. “She said, Dad, I went through the back door,” said Vines. “I know exactly what she meant. She just made her way until she interviewed the persons who she wanted to interview. I was proud of her. Some people would call it moxie, but I call it guts.” That grit, sheer will and determination snagged her an interview with Donald Trump. The video of that interview can be found on You Tube. “She was subtlely aggressive,” said Vines. “But she would harm no one, even in her aggression. Deidra would hurt nobody, not even with words.”
She was bigger than life and while her magnificent beauty captivated most who encountered her, her down to earth and ebullient personality are the qualities that made this wonderful lady loved by everyone. But what made this special lady so special? “Her positivity and cheerfulness,” said Tangya Burton, Deidra’s mother when asked. “She always smiled. You barely saw her complaining. When she wanted something and she took the time to figure out a way to do it, I said to her, ‘one problem, ten solutions, you figure out which one works best for you,’ and that’s what I think she did. She was pretty good in that area.” She succeeded in life as a personality, and for those that were fortunate enough to have met her, you know that she immediately brightened a room upon her entrance. She was on the fast track to success and was determined that nothing was going to deter the amazing lady from obtaining her dreams, but cancer proved to be too formidable a foe. Deidra, however, leaves a legacy of fine work that will last forever.
To give you a perspective of just how talented a writer Deidra was, we were able to get a copy of a poem she penned while in the 5th grade, an essay about a small sparrow that made a difference.
“The view below made the sparrow sad. As she flew high above the withering landscape, her tiny shadow skimmed a parched African plain. If not for the constant sun, she thought the air would cool. Plants could grow again, animals could thrive and children could play in the rain. But the sparrow was so small, she was helpless against the unrelating sun. Or was she?
Suddenly, she had a thought. She flew off and excitedly chirped her idea to a wise old woodpecker, who nodded in approval. Being a sociable fellow, the woodpecker informed a flock of pigeons, who scattered to tell others. Soon the skies were abuzz with the sparrow’s idea, darters and snipes, hornbills and hawks, osprey and pelicans. Even the crows were interested. Only the vultures turned a cold wing to the plan.
The day arrived-bright and hot, like all the others. At the appointed hour, when the sun was at its height, the birds came. From east and west, from north to south, they flew shoulder to wing. They strained to fly as high as possible, circling in the mid-day heat. Plants and animals looked up in disbelief. The earth had suddenly cooled, the searing sun blocked by the great cloud of birds soaring overhead. Each day, the birds returned. Day after day, protected from the scorching sun, the earth soon sprouted. Animals frolicked and people found new hope. Then, for reasons that the birds did not understand, the sky began producing its own clouds. Soon the rains came. The sparrow looked down and smiled.”
This poem was a story of how one being, a sparrow, made a difference by coming up with an idea and inspiring others to carry out its vision. Deidra, in a parallel that mirrored her own life, was a gorgeous sparrow, inspiring others, including this writer, to make a difference by carrying out her life in the right way- being kind to others, making people laugh, and most of all demonstrating a mountain of courage, in her silent, but courageous fight against an insidious disease- cancer. For all those whose lives she briefly touched, she made a huge difference and was an inspiration. Deidra Burton is now looking down at us from heaven, like the sparrow and smiling. We will never forget this amazing and wonderful soul. May her spirit rest with the angels forever. “We know this, she is absent in the flesh, but she is in the presence of The Lord,” said Roederick Vines. “We know that she is in God’s hands.” Deidra Louise Burton-Vines, aka Deidra Burtonelli, March 19, 1986- September 16, 2010. She will be dearly missed.
Tweet This
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
425 Comments
I’ll GIVE MY Way of life FOR Christ
IMO fb must repair their data transfer just before nearly anything other than them
i thought this was a really great post to read. i’ll check back for new posts by you!
Hi Webmaster. My partner and i seriously enjoy the particular writing and also your web site all in all! That piece of writing is quite clearly composed and without difficulty understandable. Your current WP style is impressive as well! Would be fantastic to know exactly where My partner and i are able acquire it. Be sure to maintain up the excellent job. All of us require far more these web owners just like you online and also much less spammers. Great friend!
Beds must be made perfect in order to get the perfect sleep. Don’t you agree?
Not too long ago, I did not give plenty of consideration to making responses on site page articles and have placed comments even much less. Reading by way of your nice post, will aid me to do so sometimes.
Hello friend. My partner and i truly enjoy that post and the webpage all in all! That article is incredibly plainly created as well as easily understandable. The WP style is wonderful as well! Would be awesome to know exactly where My partner and i are able obtain this. If possible continue to keep up the great job. All of us require far more this sort of web owners such as you on the web and also much less spammers. Great friend!
Not long ago, I didn’t give a lot of thought to making responses on site page articles or blog posts and have placed feedback even less. Reading via your nice post, will support me to do so sometimes.
i thought this was a really great post to read. i’ll check back for new posts by you!
A splendid share, I just given this onto a workfellow who was doing a little analysis on that. And he in fact purchased me lunch because I found it for him. :).. So let me rephrase that: Thank you for the treat! But yeah Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is very helpful for me. Two thumb up for this blog!
Excellent writing about a wonderful, accomplished young woman.
RIP Deidra Burtonelli:
“You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”
by David Harkins
Hi; Great post for me. Your post has valuable infos. I want to has good posts like yours in my website. How do you find these posts?
Strange but actually a fraction of the post is displaying up for me. Is this the internet site or my on-line browser. Should I restart my web browser?
hi, I sent an email to you about this post, its not coming thru for me. Can you connect with me when you get a chance.
Thank you for your help, how do i subscribe!
Considerably, the blog post is actually the greatest on this worthy topic. I concur with your decisions and will thirstily look forward to see your approaching updates. Saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the phenomenal lucidity in your writing. I will at once grab your feeds to stay informed of any updates. Delightful work and much success in your business endeavors! Have a nice day
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
Hello; Nice informations for me. Your post has good quality. I want to has valuable posts like yours in my website. How do you make these posts?
More and more often, I come across cases of nonsmokers who develop lung cancer. My attention is always drawn to news of this nature because my husband passed away at the age of 51 from brain and lung cancer. He never smoked a day in his life.
What a beautiful and wonderful article Buddy, well done, that defines Deidra to a T. She will be dearly missed but not forgotten. Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Hello; Excellent informations for me. Your post has valuable infos. I wish to has valuable posts like yours in my website. How do you write these posts?
HI Buddy,
Amber sent this to me and I must say what a beautiful story you told about a very beautiful girl. I did not know her personally but Amber used to speak SO fondly of her and I know she must have been a very special person from what she has shared.
I know Amber has been very affected by her passing as I am sure you have been as well.
My condolences to her family and friends and may she rest in peace.
Much love to you from
Lorraine Bollard (Australia, Amber`s Mum)
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
Awesome share, thanks a lot.
I’m ahkjfs, I must say. Very rarely do I encounter a AKJFKL thats both educational and ankj, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your blog is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are jhagk about. I am very happy that I stumbled across bcxncbÂjhkjhgksÂÂâââÂÂÂÂâ
ÂÂÂÂsomething relating to this.
Hello; Great informations for me. Your post has valuable infos. I wish to has good posts like yours in my website. How do you find these posts?
Great post
Lovely post, thanks a lot
Every time I stumble upon a good blog post I usually do three things:1.Forward it to my relevant contacts.2.save it in some of the popular social sharing websites.3.Make sure to come back to the same website where I came accross the article.After reading this post I’m seriously concidering going ahead and doing all three.
Thanks very good \o/
Thanks very good \o/
Hey, I just hopped over to your site via StumbleUpon. Not somthing I would normally read, but I liked your thoughts none the less. Thanks for making something worth reading.
Thanks very good \o/
There is no greater symbolic location for a political speech than The Great Hall at Cooper Union, especially one so in line with Peter Cooper’s own Greenback Party.
Who will pay for Air Force one’s carbon credits if they ever impose taxes on it?
Thanks very good \o/
Substantially, the post is actually the best on this worthw hile topic. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your approaching updates. Saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the wonderful lucidity in your writing. I will right away grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. De lightful work and much success in your business efforts!
It is normal they are no supposed to be on the same aircraft. Duhhhh
Thanks very good \o/
Thank you for great articles. I really happy to read your posting and hopping it help for me and other people. Thank you.
I cherished what you will have performed here. The design is stylish, your created articles classy. Nevertheless, you could have bought an edginess to what you’re offering the next. Ill totally arrive again once more for a great deal extra in case you preserve this up. Dont eliminate hope if not at the same time a lot of men and women see your eye sight, know you have obtained a fan appropriate the following who ideals what you could have acquired to say along with the way you’ve got introduced by yourself. Very good on you!
Thanks very good \o/
Thanks very good \o/
If only everyone could be like you. The globe could be a better spot.
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your web site to check out the latest stuff you post.
I’m happy for this important brilliant page; this would be the type of subject that sustains me although out the day.We’ve at all times heard been not too long ago desiring near to within your web-site right right after I observed about these from a near friend and was delighted when I was in a position to obtain it following looking out for some time. Being a passionate blogger, I’m happy to find out other people today taking effort and including to the neighborhood. I just desired to remark to exhibit my knowing for a release as it is particularly inviting, and many writers really do not get the credit they have earned. I’m positive I’ll be back once more and can ship a few of my partners.
great blog! keep up the great work!
Really nice article, I have been looking to read something of this nature and your writing has fit the bill perfectly, thanks very much indeed.
this was a very entertaining read. i enjoyed it very much!
great thanks man…