Duane Wessels, a man who has faced the loss of his beloved wife Rie to cancer, has turned his grief into a powerful force for good by organising a charity golf day in her honour. The event, held at Golf Santo António, brought together friends and members of the community to celebrate Rie’s life and raise funds for important causes.
The couple met in 2016 through their shared love for golf and eventually got married in a beautiful ceremony in Las Vegas in 2023. Sadly, Rie passed away in July 2024, leaving behind a grieving husband who was determined to carry on her legacy.
In lieu of a traditional funeral, Duane organised a charity golf event at Golf Santo António, where Rie loved to play golf. The event was a celebration of her life and brought together friends from her old golf club as well as the community at the Santo Antonio Golf Course. Participants were encouraged to wear Rie’s favourite colours, lime green and purple, in her memory.
The golf day was a great success, raising 2,600€ which Duane generously matched. The funds raised were donated to Madrugada, a palliative care charity that had provided support to Rie during her illness, as well as the Bamboo dog shelter and the CALSAS children’s home.
Duane, who has since retired, has found solace in playing golf and volunteering his time to help others in need. He credits the support of Madrugada for helping him through his grief and plans to continue giving back to his community in honour of Rie.
As he rebuilds his life, Duane is inspired by the love and strength he shared with his late wife. His dogs, Gibbs and Lolo, who were adopted during their time together, remain a source of comfort and companionship for him.
Through his actions, Duane has shown that love and resilience can conquer even the greatest of challenges. He is a true example of the power of kindness and generosity, and his dedication to honouring Rie’s memory is a testament to the enduring love they shared.