Gifts from Mary Ann

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, 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

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 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.

 

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 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.

Thankyou for sticking with us.

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 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.

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 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

 

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

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

 

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

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 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