But on Monday, despite the two-year hiatus and the rising cost of just about everything, there they were: the (mostly) women who have been the backbone of the event that raises money to help breast cancer patients and survivors, and a breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, packing the ballroom of the Best Western Starlite Village Inn & Suites, ready to support the annual cause once again.

It was the 16th May Day Luncheon, Deb Johnson, of Fort Dodge, reminded the crowd. She was being honest when she suggested that, because there had been that two-year pause, the organizers had wondered if the supporters would come back.

They did.

With the award-winning Iowa Central rugby team circulating the bubbly, the show went on as if the pandemic could be forgotten.

-Messenger photo by Jane Curtis
Isabella Johnson is all dressed up for the 16th May Day Luncheon Monday at the Best Western Starlite Village in Fort Dodge.

Indeed, when Leah Glasgo, president and chief executive officer of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge, rose to the podium to speak, she mentioned that she had considered talking about COVID. Then, she decided we were tired of hearing about it, she said.

The audience applauded.

What Glasgo did talk about was what she called a ripple, the tiny waves of energy that move out from the people who are affected by cancer, or simply care enough to act. The people in the Starlite ballroom were part of that ripple, she said.

In that ripple sat Darci Mersch and Patsy Chalstrom, the mother and grandmother, respectively, of Abby Deal. At this one event, yearly, she is remembered because, as organizers Barb Michael and Tom Donner emphasized Monday, there wouldn’t be a Fighting Angels Abreast Dragon Boat team if Abby Deal hadn’t pressed them to go forward.

It was a team she would never paddle for.

-Messenger photo by Jane Curtis
Leah Glasgo speaks at the 16th May Day Luncheon on Monday at the Best Western Starlite Village. The event convened again for the first time in two years, due to COVID. Its purpose is to raise funds for the Fighting Angels Abreast Dragon Boat team, which benefits cancer patients and survivors.

Abby Jean Deal died on Feb. 22, 2007.

Fifteen years ago.

-Messenger photo by Jane Curtis
Linda Donner and Barb Michaels, event organizer, stand at the podium during the 16th May Day Luncheon Monday at the Best Western Starlite Village.

-Messenger photo by Jane Curtis
Barb Vonsak, of Fort Dodge, poses for a photo with Patsy Chalstrom, Abby Deal's grandmother, of Fort Dodge; Darci Mersch, Abby's mother, of rural Clare; and Spencer Lara, of Fort Dodge. Abby Deal, who was the inspiration for the Fighting Angels Abreast Dragon Boat team, passed away in 2007.