Memorial Service 12/18/10

To Kate's friends,

I wanted to share with you part of my eulogy to Kate, but it was long & now feels so personal. I am sharing a poem that was read at the end of the service

FOR THOSE I LOVE, FOR THOSE WHO LOVE ME

When I am gone, release me let me go.

I have so many things to see & do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears.

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love. You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown.

But now it’s time I travel on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must.

And let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part.

So bless the memories that lie within your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life goes on.

So if you need me, call & I will come.

If you can’t see me or touch me, know I’ll be near.

If you listen with your heart, you will hear all of my love around you soft & clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone….

I’ll greet you with a smile & say “Welcome home.”

Our Kate

This sad message is to all of you from Pat, her mom, & Rob, her husband,

Our beloved Kate passed away on Sunday, December 12 at about 8:45 in the morning. She is finally at peace at last.

We will let you know more information about her celebration of life services coming up this weekend.

I know she would have loved to talked to all you before she left us. Know that she spoke about many of you with great joy & stories often to her family & was glad to have so many caring friends.

Pat and Rob

Very sad news

This is Pat, Kate's mom, writing again to all of you for Kate. Hi to everyone that has wanted to keep up on what is happening with Kate & our 22 month journey with cancer. I am so sorry to give you bad news that has been coming for some time.

Kate is very sick & the physicians & specialists have all said that there is no further treatment they can do for her. They believe she has pancreatic cancer & that is what has been causing all the secondary problems of vomiting, extreme weight loss & fluid in her abdomen. The best that can be done now & in the future is help her be very comfortable at all times. We don't know when she will pass away from all of us--it just depends upon her body's ability to keep functioning despite her disease. Right now she is able to keep down popscicles & an occasional frappachino (eggnog is her favorite) if she takes it down very slow. Rob, I and her family are all spending time with her in the hospital so she knows she is loved. Right now she is still receiving IV medication for nausea so she will be staying in the hospital at Vacaville Kaiser for the time being. Friends are visiting only for very short periods. Thereafter she will be going to in-home hospice & will be able to be with her loving cats & family at home. Rob & I will learn how to give medications IV & be supervised by the hospice nurses who will be available 24 hrs/7 days & a hospice specialist MD will supervise everything.

I am sure many of you would like to send messages to Kate. I will do my best to make copies of your responses & read them to her or give them to her to read.

I will keep you all updated since I know that all of you care for her & she wants you to know she cares for you too. Keep Kate in your thoughts & prayers.

Pat