Gifts from Mary Ann

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Comments

  • laura25
    laura25 Member Posts: 180 Member
    #42
    daisy366 said:

    Picture Perfect. Mary Ann wanted you to see this photo

    The picture was taken April 20th in Fort Myers at The American Rhapsody concert presented by the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida. It was Mary Ann's last singing appearance, about three weeks before she lost her hair to radiation treatments. Mary Ann was an alto with the group. Her funeral Mass is scheduled for noon Saturday, June 15, at St. Andrew's Church in Cape Coral. Her obituary and a video tribute should be posted on www.mullinsmemorial.com in two or three days. - Rudy

    Thank You

    Thank you Rudy for posting Mary Ann's picture... she was such a beautiful woman,  I'm so very sorry.   

  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #43
    daisy366 said:

    Picture Perfect. Mary Ann wanted you to see this photo

    The picture was taken April 20th in Fort Myers at The American Rhapsody concert presented by the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida. It was Mary Ann's last singing appearance, about three weeks before she lost her hair to radiation treatments. Mary Ann was an alto with the group. Her funeral Mass is scheduled for noon Saturday, June 15, at St. Andrew's Church in Cape Coral. Her obituary and a video tribute should be posted on www.mullinsmemorial.com in two or three days. - Rudy

    Wonderful picture

    Thank you, Rudy, for sharing your wonderful picture of Mary Ann.  What a lovely, smiling, joyful face.  I am so pleased to be able to put a face to the lady who brought such wisdom and kindess to these boards.

    Kindest wishes
    Helen

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
    #44
    HellieC said:

    Wonderful picture

    Thank you, Rudy, for sharing your wonderful picture of Mary Ann.  What a lovely, smiling, joyful face.  I am so pleased to be able to put a face to the lady who brought such wisdom and kindess to these boards.

    Kindest wishes
    Helen

    Obituary

    I just read Mary Ann's.  What a full, compassionate, generous life.  We knew she was remarkable  but now we know the the extent of her achievements.  The lives she impacted are countless.  Here's to a life well lived.  You did good, Mary Ann!

  • elpasorudy
    elpasorudy Member Posts: 84
    #45
    Obituary

    It ran in today's Fort Myers News-Press along with a death notice. The site has a spot for memorial comments if you wish. The funeral home's web page has been down the past three days.

     

  • elpasorudy
    elpasorudy Member Posts: 84
    #46
    daisy366

    I will visit the network from time to time and offer support when appropriate. I may write a story about Mary Ann's cancer fight, about the little known UPSC, and the support she received from this board.

     

  • TAyers
    TAyers Member Posts: 86 Member
    #47
    elpasorudy said:

    daisy366

    I will visit the network from time to time and offer support when appropriate. I may write a story about Mary Ann's cancer fight, about the little known UPSC, and the support she received from this board.

     

    living life

    Rudy,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I realized as I was reading MaryAnn's obit how much she loved people. I also realized that the beautiful picture you posted of her was just in April, she is an inspiration to all of us to keep living each day we have to its fullest. She didn't let cancer interfer with her zest for life and thats a lesson to us that we all can take to end of ours. Thank you for sharing your wife with us and your heart. Tami-UPSC stage 3c age 46, but still living life with zest.

  • TAyers
    TAyers Member Posts: 86 Member
    #48
    elpasorudy said:

    daisy366

    I will visit the network from time to time and offer support when appropriate. I may write a story about Mary Ann's cancer fight, about the little known UPSC, and the support she received from this board.

     

    living life

    Rudy,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I realized as I was reading MaryAnn's obit how much she loved people. I also realized that the beautiful picture you posted of her was just in April, she is an inspiration to all of us to keep living each day we have to its fullest. She didn't let cancer interfer with her zest for life and thats a lesson to us that we all can take to end of ours. Thank you for sharing your wife with us and your heart. Tami-UPSC stage 3c age 46, but still living life with zest.

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
    #49
    TAyers said:

    living life

    Rudy,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I realized as I was reading MaryAnn's obit how much she loved people. I also realized that the beautiful picture you posted of her was just in April, she is an inspiration to all of us to keep living each day we have to its fullest. She didn't let cancer interfer with her zest for life and thats a lesson to us that we all can take to end of ours. Thank you for sharing your wife with us and your heart. Tami-UPSC stage 3c age 46, but still living life with zest.

    Rudy

    Thankyou for sticking with us.

  • LindaFF
    LindaFF Member Posts: 10
    #50
    ConnieSW said:

    Rudy

    Thankyou for sticking with us.

    Mary Ann

    Dear Rudy,

    My sincerely sympathy in the loss of Mary Ann.  She made a positive difference in so many lives.  She was always so helpful and shared information which was so helpful to me. We had been diagnosed around the same time.  I am so sorry to lose her.  She will be missed.  Bless you Rudy.

     

     

  • elpasorudy
    elpasorudy Member Posts: 84
    #51
    eulogy

    Mary Ann had started to write her own eulogy. It took me a few days to locate it on her computer. It was unfinished, but she mentions this support group. Here are her words: "I want to thank my cohorts from the Cancer Survivors Network. They are a wonderful group of women, an inspiration to me. We share the same affliction, a nasty uterine cancer, but we don't let it control our lives. These women provided great support. Some are now waiting for me in heaven. I have been battling cancer for close to five years with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, prayer, meditation, vitamins, herbs, diet, acupuncture, visualization and massage. I have been in the valley of the shadow contemplating my death, but mostly contempating and living my wonderful life. To be alive in this world is a gift beyond price and perhaps beyond comprehension. My wish is that each of you take time in your busy lives to help others, to enjoy your friends and family, to be good to yourselves. The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness." - Rudy

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #52
    elpasorudy said:

    eulogy

    Mary Ann had started to write her own eulogy. It took me a few days to locate it on her computer. It was unfinished, but she mentions this support group. Here are her words: "I want to thank my cohorts from the Cancer Survivors Network. They are a wonderful group of women, an inspiration to me. We share the same affliction, a nasty uterine cancer, but we don't let it control our lives. These women provided great support. Some are now waiting for me in heaven. I have been battling cancer for close to five years with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, prayer, meditation, vitamins, herbs, diet, acupuncture, visualization and massage. I have been in the valley of the shadow contemplating my death, but mostly contempating and living my wonderful life. To be alive in this world is a gift beyond price and perhaps beyond comprehension. My wish is that each of you take time in your busy lives to help others, to enjoy your friends and family, to be good to yourselves. The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness." - Rudy

    Rudy how eloquent Mary Ann was

    Mary Ann DID " thrive with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness".  Thank you so much for sharing her thoughts.  It takes someone really special to write her own eulogy.  Mary was very special.

  • NorahS
    NorahS Member Posts: 92
    #53
    Ro10 said:

    Rudy how eloquent Mary Ann was

    Mary Ann DID " thrive with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness".  Thank you so much for sharing her thoughts.  It takes someone really special to write her own eulogy.  Mary was very special.

    Thank you for posting that.

    Rudy, I loved reading that part of Mary Ann's eulogy, it describes how so very many of us feel about the sisterhood on this discussion board.

    Everyone on this board will miss Mary Ann and her wise counsel and we are oh, so grateful that she had you as a husband. We all know how much she loved you.   

    I hope, in these early days without her, that you are treating yourself with gentleness and kindness and that you continue to do so for a long time to come.  

     

     

     

     

  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #54
    elpasorudy said:

    eulogy

    Mary Ann had started to write her own eulogy. It took me a few days to locate it on her computer. It was unfinished, but she mentions this support group. Here are her words: "I want to thank my cohorts from the Cancer Survivors Network. They are a wonderful group of women, an inspiration to me. We share the same affliction, a nasty uterine cancer, but we don't let it control our lives. These women provided great support. Some are now waiting for me in heaven. I have been battling cancer for close to five years with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, prayer, meditation, vitamins, herbs, diet, acupuncture, visualization and massage. I have been in the valley of the shadow contemplating my death, but mostly contempating and living my wonderful life. To be alive in this world is a gift beyond price and perhaps beyond comprehension. My wish is that each of you take time in your busy lives to help others, to enjoy your friends and family, to be good to yourselves. The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness." - Rudy

    Thank you Rudy

    Thank you, Rudy, for sharing Mary Ann's thoughts.  Those of us who have been told our cancer is incurable can really relate to what Mary Ann is saying - she writes so beautifully.

    When I lost my mother, a very good friend wrote out this poem for me:

    Turn again to life
    by     Mary Lee Hall

    If I should die and leave you here a while,
    be not like others sore undone,
    who keep long vigil by the silent dust.
    For my sake turn again to life and smile,
    nerving thy heart and trembling hand
    to do something to comfort other hearts than thine.
    Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
    and I perchance may therein comfort you.

    It seems that Mary Ann was telling us all something similar - to live our lives, thrive, help others.  God bless you, Rudy.  Thank you for finding the strength these last days to share with us.

    Kindest wishes
    Helen

     

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #55
    HellieC said:

    Thank you Rudy

    Thank you, Rudy, for sharing Mary Ann's thoughts.  Those of us who have been told our cancer is incurable can really relate to what Mary Ann is saying - she writes so beautifully.

    When I lost my mother, a very good friend wrote out this poem for me:

    Turn again to life
    by     Mary Lee Hall

    If I should die and leave you here a while,
    be not like others sore undone,
    who keep long vigil by the silent dust.
    For my sake turn again to life and smile,
    nerving thy heart and trembling hand
    to do something to comfort other hearts than thine.
    Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
    and I perchance may therein comfort you.

    It seems that Mary Ann was telling us all something similar - to live our lives, thrive, help others.  God bless you, Rudy.  Thank you for finding the strength these last days to share with us.

    Kindest wishes
    Helen

     

    Helen

    I do love your poem...just hits home as to how I think about death and others still living past my time.  I never want anyone to be sad, but joyous in hopes we all meet again some day.

    Rudy, your dear wife Mary Ann, was such a joy to have on our boards as I'd known her for 4 years and each time someone would pass from this horrid disease, she'd be the positive motivator reminding us to endure life.  Her determination to live and keep her body strong to fight the disease was ALWAYS on her mind, and she expressed this same thought process to us all here.  

    Surely Mary Ann is up there chatting with our dear friend Linda P and know they're planning a festive time and looking upon us all with hopes to keep on enjoying our lives.  

    Rudy, thanks for your posting from her as it truly means a lot.

    We'll miss her dearly, but know she has lefts a huge memory in my mind.

    Peace~

    Jan

  • cheerful
    cheerful Member Posts: 261 Member
    #56
    elpasorudy said:

    More Mary Ann

    A steady stream of visitors came to the home the day before Mary Ann died. It was a beautiful day. Friend Francesca, a certified yoga instructor, sang and chanted mantras, clearing the path for a tranquil transition. Judy Lee and Judy Beaumont, ordained Roman Catholic priests who serve the poor with their unsanctioned church in Fort Myers, prayed and administered the Healing of the Sick sacrament. Mary Ann was able to receive communion. Friends Sue, Irene, and Mario shared stories. Neighbor Beverly delivered a homemade pumpkin pie, and Mary Ann ate most of a slice, her first food in two days ... Mary Ann has a photo she wants me to post to the site. When I figure out the technology, I will do it, perhaps later today .... I had asked Mary Ann to give me a sign of her well being after she died. When I telephoned her brother John yesterday and started giving him the details of Mary Ann's passing, the phone disconnected and I was unable to reach John for five minutes. He called back and said a lightening bolt struck near his house when I told him his sister had died. It knocked the power out. Coincidence or was Mary Ann strutting her stuff? - Rudy

    Rudy:

      I wanted to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of your wife, Mary Ann.  I did not know her or communicate with her on the board, but I did see a lot of her posts on this board as I joined the UPSC group in April of 2011 and she was an inspiration to so many of us women on the board.  She is a UPSC sister and all of us will miss her. She fought the disease for a long time and very bravely.

     I will keep Mary Ann in my thoughts and prayers.

     

    Cheerful

    a/k/a Jane

  • laura25
    laura25 Member Posts: 180 Member
    #57
    HellieC said:

    Thank you Rudy

    Thank you, Rudy, for sharing Mary Ann's thoughts.  Those of us who have been told our cancer is incurable can really relate to what Mary Ann is saying - she writes so beautifully.

    When I lost my mother, a very good friend wrote out this poem for me:

    Turn again to life
    by     Mary Lee Hall

    If I should die and leave you here a while,
    be not like others sore undone,
    who keep long vigil by the silent dust.
    For my sake turn again to life and smile,
    nerving thy heart and trembling hand
    to do something to comfort other hearts than thine.
    Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
    and I perchance may therein comfort you.

    It seems that Mary Ann was telling us all something similar - to live our lives, thrive, help others.  God bless you, Rudy.  Thank you for finding the strength these last days to share with us.

    Kindest wishes
    Helen

     

    Thank You

    Rudy thank you for sharing, Mary Ann's words are so touching.  She was simply amazing.

  • susangr
    susangr Member Posts: 64
    #58
    Mary Anne's picture her own words........

    what a wonderful way to remember her and to reinforce the importance of this board and how we must continue to support each other and live life each day to the fullest.  Her obituary highlighted further the full and well rounded life she lived.  To you Rudy thank you for posting during this time and sharing Mary Ann with us. We look forward to knowing how you are doing in the days and months ahead.  Hugs Susan

  • Kathy G.
    Kathy G. Member Posts: 244 Member
    #59
    susangr said:

    Mary Anne's picture her own words........

    what a wonderful way to remember her and to reinforce the importance of this board and how we must continue to support each other and live life each day to the fullest.  Her obituary highlighted further the full and well rounded life she lived.  To you Rudy thank you for posting during this time and sharing Mary Ann with us. We look forward to knowing how you are doing in the days and months ahead.  Hugs Susan

    Thank you again Rudy for

    Thank you again Rudy for sharing Mary Ann's beautiful picture, obituary and part of the euology she wrote. It must be healing in a way for you to visit us on this board where Mary Ann was such a strong force and spirit. I am glad she thought of us in the same way!

    Although I did not share the same type of cancer with Mary Ann we did share the same fight. It was interesting to read her obituary as we had so much more in common than what I knew...both being in the social work and counseling fields doing much of the same kind of work.

    I pray you are doing well and following your wife's own words of wisdom about living life to the fullest. I am sure she would cut you a temporary break during this time, but would want you to get back in the saddle as soon as possible. Mourn her, but rejoice in what you had and move forward when you are ready.

    Visit us when you need to talk.

    Best wishes...

    Kathy

  • pinky104
    pinky104 Member Posts: 574 Member
    #60
    daisy366 said:

    Picture Perfect. Mary Ann wanted you to see this photo

    The picture was taken April 20th in Fort Myers at The American Rhapsody concert presented by the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida. It was Mary Ann's last singing appearance, about three weeks before she lost her hair to radiation treatments. Mary Ann was an alto with the group. Her funeral Mass is scheduled for noon Saturday, June 15, at St. Andrew's Church in Cape Coral. Her obituary and a video tribute should be posted on www.mullinsmemorial.com in two or three days. - Rudy

    My Condolences

    Rudy,

    I apologize for not having sent my condolences sooner.  I did not know Mary Ann personally, but I read her comments on this site whenever I was on it.  She apparently was a very great person, so helpful to others.  I don't understand why some of the best people on here are the ones that are taken first.  I had UPSC 3 years ago.  It was grade IVb, the worst there is, but I just came from a check-up and I'm totally healthy.  I have NED.  And other than a good surgeon and a good oncologist, I don't know why I'm surviving when others aren't.  I guess God needs some new angels singing up there!

    Hang in there.  I'm sure you're missing her terribly.

    pinky104

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