Last words from Winter Marie

This was posted on Winter Marie's facebook page.  I don't know who put it there, but I can believe it was something Winter herself wrote.

I post is here because she mentions you.

____________________________________________

I did not go peacefully into the night. I was busy kicking and screaming at the grim reaper when he came. I looked that b@stard in the face and told him that I was not ready to go anywhere with him. I had children and grandchildren to enjoy and to keep loving for many more years. I told him I didn't need his ugly head looming over me. The grim reaper didn't listen to me now, did me?

I was raised in Homer, Alaska spending years weeding the large family garden, raising horses, participating in rodeo's, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, bought my first motorcycle at 14, was Alaska Civil Air Patrol Cadet of the year in 1974, took flying lessons, joined the US Air Force at 17. I lived in Springfield, Ohio for 20 years, lived in Washington, Oregon, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana and finally California. At 52, after being diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer (age 50) with the encouragement of my children and just a ninth grade education and a GED in hand, I attended/graduated from Cabrillo College with an AA in Political Science.

My greatest joys are two of the most wonderful children that I am leaving behind, my precious daughter Christina Maria Hillard, and her children, my beautiful grandchildren Dylan Audie and Preston Heath, and my precious son David Ray Scott II and his wife Siobhan and their children, my beautiful grandchildren Nicolas Anthony and Kane Amzi Amor. I wanted to watch you two children growing old and being your older annoying Mama for a lot more years, I wanted to watch your children, your precious ones, grow up and to attend their graduations and weddings. It was not my choice to go. But know this, I'm still here in spirit, I have always believed part of me will still exist, watching over you, holding my arms around you still, wiping your tears away, please know a piece of me remains within you, the blood of my blood beats strong still in your hearts and soul. My love for you has no end. You are my legacy and I am so proud of both of you, so very proud.

I also leave behind my darling husband Mark N. Egbers, (Love you baby! Please take care of yourself) my dear Aunt Wanda Hammond (we had great "adventures"), my step-brother Gary Anderson and Lynn, my brother Walter W. Mantor, my brother Bil W. Mantor, my brother John W. Kodiak and Lorie, my sister Kathleen M. Mantor and many nieces and nephews. And to my fellow cancer friends at CSN, thank you.

Those that rode the spirit path before me are my father Walter Wayne Kodiak, my beloved mother Reba Ramona Anderson, my baby brother Anthony Wayne Kodiak, my brother John (Randy) Anderson and my first born.

To all reading this, please, do your body a favor and when you reach the age of 50, get a colonoscopy, cancer sucks.

I enjoyed life very much, more than most I think. I remained as long as possible upon this sweet earth, but...cancer came and shortened it, I fought tooth and nail, so very hard to live, managing a few years extra, undergoing chemo and surgeries, with the help of Dr. Yen who extended my life (thank you Dr. Yen) as well as the skilled surgeons at Stanford.

No, I did not go easy in the night.