Dear all~
Christine's suffering ended tonight~She passed at about 10:25. Loved ones were all around her today and she was aware. She was amazing these last few days and I know she is blanketing us with her love and comfort.
With love,
Bridget and All
Monday, August 4, 2008
Goodbye Christine...
After over a year of fighting, my mother Christine lost the battle and peacefully passed on to the other side this evening. While this is a very sad occasion for all of us, I can find comfort knowing that Mom will no longer be suffering and is able to join her mother Joann, sister Mary, and niece Emily, along with many others who have gone before her. Please know that Mom truly and honestly did not want this to be a sad occasion, she wanted everyone to celebrate her life. We intend to do this. As we are still making arragement, the plans are: Friday evening a wake, and Saturday will be the funeral, more information to come later. As I know many people will want to help, please continue to check the blog as we will post information about what we will need. Mom also asked that instead of flowers, donations could be made to the Wellness Community, a place that brought her such great joy and comfort during her tough times over the past year.
Monday, August 4 1:56 pm
I was home during the afternoon and became increasingly crabby--shocker. I realized it was more than nicotine fits as my sneaky escapes to the side of the house did nothing to appease me. I left my family to prepare the first Sunday chicken this vegetarian house (self-excluding) has seen, without me. Chris was happy about the chicken, by the way. She told my husband it was good to let Liam choose, which Dave had already decided to do. Consequently, Liam did not eat the chicken...
A long time, dear friend of Bridge and I, Nate Clark had asked if he could come see Christine. I was surprised, but should not have been. As it turns out, he had developed his own friendship with her. He said she always went out of her way to talk to him. I met him there, but Chris was no longer responsive. However, I believe she is aware of the many people who have been touched by her and I was comforted that he'd come and held her hand.
Earlier in the evening, the nurse told us Chris wouldn't make it through the night. Kathy and I put out the many calls, again. Collen, Nina, Robert & Bridget filed in. I assume Pete was driving like a bat out of hell to get there, but arrived safely later in the evening. His boys were already with us (Nino, peacefully snoring in quarantine.) Danny was already there and Chuck comes in tomorrow. Being continuously full of surprises, Christine held through the night. The doctors and nurses say her heart and lungs are just so strong--they are amazed she has held on this long. Elizabeth said, 'Is anyone surprised that Mom's heart is so strong?' To which Laura O'Sullivan replied, 'Her lungs, too, if you think about it...' Touche, from an O'Sullivan!
It seems there is always an O'Sullivan on the way in or out. They have been an amazing family to Christine, another family to her. We are all grateful for their support of our sister through the years, especially now.
Auntie M (Aunt Margaret) is another, constantly present (whether we see her or not) and suffering the tortures of the damned facing the loss of the incredible bond they have shared.
A long time, dear friend of Bridge and I, Nate Clark had asked if he could come see Christine. I was surprised, but should not have been. As it turns out, he had developed his own friendship with her. He said she always went out of her way to talk to him. I met him there, but Chris was no longer responsive. However, I believe she is aware of the many people who have been touched by her and I was comforted that he'd come and held her hand.
Earlier in the evening, the nurse told us Chris wouldn't make it through the night. Kathy and I put out the many calls, again. Collen, Nina, Robert & Bridget filed in. I assume Pete was driving like a bat out of hell to get there, but arrived safely later in the evening. His boys were already with us (Nino, peacefully snoring in quarantine.) Danny was already there and Chuck comes in tomorrow. Being continuously full of surprises, Christine held through the night. The doctors and nurses say her heart and lungs are just so strong--they are amazed she has held on this long. Elizabeth said, 'Is anyone surprised that Mom's heart is so strong?' To which Laura O'Sullivan replied, 'Her lungs, too, if you think about it...' Touche, from an O'Sullivan!
It seems there is always an O'Sullivan on the way in or out. They have been an amazing family to Christine, another family to her. We are all grateful for their support of our sister through the years, especially now.
Auntie M (Aunt Margaret) is another, constantly present (whether we see her or not) and suffering the tortures of the damned facing the loss of the incredible bond they have shared.
Monday, August 4th
10:20am
Chris was peaceful overnight for the most part. Robbie slept in the room. Mags and I, Pete and his boys~Nino and Giussepie~ all slept in the lounge. (Nino snores like an elephant...I think Pete does too, but I sleep heavily....) Kathleen sat bedside throughout the night and broke her promise to wake us so we could each do one hour shifts. Chris has felt very comforted by all of us of course, but she seems to be particularly comforted by Kathleen's presence and command~as am I.
We believe and hope that she will join Mary, Mother and Lil' Emily soon. According to the staff around here, she is in her final phase. It is time for her suffering to end and every once in awhile we tell her it's okay and she should let go and not worry about us.
Love to all,
Bridget
Chris was peaceful overnight for the most part. Robbie slept in the room. Mags and I, Pete and his boys~Nino and Giussepie~ all slept in the lounge. (Nino snores like an elephant...I think Pete does too, but I sleep heavily....) Kathleen sat bedside throughout the night and broke her promise to wake us so we could each do one hour shifts. Chris has felt very comforted by all of us of course, but she seems to be particularly comforted by Kathleen's presence and command~as am I.
We believe and hope that she will join Mary, Mother and Lil' Emily soon. According to the staff around here, she is in her final phase. It is time for her suffering to end and every once in awhile we tell her it's okay and she should let go and not worry about us.
Love to all,
Bridget
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sunday, August 3d
10:30am: This is Bridget. I just spoke w/ Elizabeth. She and June spent the night and tell me that Chris had a pretty good night and slept (earlier in the week, she had troubled, fitful sleep and would wake a little disoriented and nervous, so a good night is a welcome blessing)~she slept well when Mags and I stayed overnight Saturday too.
Angelina and Genevieve (My brother Peter's 2 girls) got to visit yesterday morning for an hour and Chris was very sweet w/ them and happy to be able to see them. She woke at 5am and asked about them right off (they were coming at 9a). She wanted to make sure their breakfeast was ready and wanted us to get soft fluffy robes for all of us so she could have her masseur (an elusive person named Paul) give everyone massages~I didn't quite put all that together until after the girls left as Chris is not always clear...but when you think about it, you can piece her thoughts together. It was CLASSIC Christine~taking care of all and making sure of a good time...
And of course, Chris had life's words of wisdom to share with the girls: "You don't have to mind everyone's business~You just have to mind your own." (...which is kinda' funny when you realize that Chris certainly made it her business to mind everyone else's business...and never hesitated to weigh in w/ her 2 cents when she had concerns...but I guess that's HER job as a Matriarch...!)
An additional note~
You may forward all pictures you wish to share to bridget@kellytwins.com.
Hugs and love to all~more postings to come...
Bridget
Angelina and Genevieve (My brother Peter's 2 girls) got to visit yesterday morning for an hour and Chris was very sweet w/ them and happy to be able to see them. She woke at 5am and asked about them right off (they were coming at 9a). She wanted to make sure their breakfeast was ready and wanted us to get soft fluffy robes for all of us so she could have her masseur (an elusive person named Paul) give everyone massages~I didn't quite put all that together until after the girls left as Chris is not always clear...but when you think about it, you can piece her thoughts together. It was CLASSIC Christine~taking care of all and making sure of a good time...
And of course, Chris had life's words of wisdom to share with the girls: "You don't have to mind everyone's business~You just have to mind your own." (...which is kinda' funny when you realize that Chris certainly made it her business to mind everyone else's business...and never hesitated to weigh in w/ her 2 cents when she had concerns...but I guess that's HER job as a Matriarch...!)
An additional note~
You may forward all pictures you wish to share to bridget@kellytwins.com.
Hugs and love to all~more postings to come...
Bridget
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Welcome to Celebrating Christine
Dear Family, Friends and Loved Ones~
This is the first post on our new blog spot that will serve to connect us all as we celebrate our beloved Christine Marion Kelly Smith and help her on her journey. We ask that you help us to forward this blogspot to all who wish to know of Christine's progress.
We are seeking any photos for a picture tribute to our incredibly strong and loving and vibrant Christine. Any notes or sentiments you would like to share with Chris can be shared here. We will keep her posted on all well wishes that come through to her as they will surely bring her radiant smile and will please her greatly.
She continues to remain strong in spirit and is loving and nurturing to all who visit. She has blessed us all by letting us know that she is ready to join her sister, Mary Elizabeth, and her Mother, Johanne M. Kelly. She is mostly very comfortable now that she is at St. Anthony's Hospice House in South St. Louis County. This hospice home is truly staffed by angels and is a surprisingly wonderful place. Now that Chris is more comfortable, we can all focus on enjoying every moment we have with her.
Please know that Michael, June, Elizabeth, Warren and Christine's entire family, and of course Christine herself, are all very grateful for the outstanding show of support and love surrounding us at this time. Please also know that Christine's smiles are radiant and fortifying and she is generous with them!
Love to all~
Bridget on behalf of Chris, the Smiths and the Kelly's
This is the first post on our new blog spot that will serve to connect us all as we celebrate our beloved Christine Marion Kelly Smith and help her on her journey. We ask that you help us to forward this blogspot to all who wish to know of Christine's progress.
We are seeking any photos for a picture tribute to our incredibly strong and loving and vibrant Christine. Any notes or sentiments you would like to share with Chris can be shared here. We will keep her posted on all well wishes that come through to her as they will surely bring her radiant smile and will please her greatly.
She continues to remain strong in spirit and is loving and nurturing to all who visit. She has blessed us all by letting us know that she is ready to join her sister, Mary Elizabeth, and her Mother, Johanne M. Kelly. She is mostly very comfortable now that she is at St. Anthony's Hospice House in South St. Louis County. This hospice home is truly staffed by angels and is a surprisingly wonderful place. Now that Chris is more comfortable, we can all focus on enjoying every moment we have with her.
Please know that Michael, June, Elizabeth, Warren and Christine's entire family, and of course Christine herself, are all very grateful for the outstanding show of support and love surrounding us at this time. Please also know that Christine's smiles are radiant and fortifying and she is generous with them!
Love to all~
Bridget on behalf of Chris, the Smiths and the Kelly's
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I thought I would share some of the family emails that that have been circulating:
To: June Smith
From: Margaret Kelly
Date: 08/01/2008 12:09PM
I am so glad that I had a pool and hot tub that was able to enjoy. She seemed to really like coming here and got to see a side of Dave that she had never seen before--because it was not a large crowd. She talked about that Tuesday--another little nugget that I get to keep. She said she was so glad she got to see that part of Dave. She held his hand and thanked him yesterday for taking care of me. That's when he lost it. She just keeps giving, so like her!
Mike Eliff called me this morning to check on her. He said he was going to give another class and that friends would be expecting a full report from him. He will continue to check in with me. He's awesome! Being able to go to Yoga with her through the Wellness Center was another gift to me in the last year because it was an opportunity to step out of my reality, no questions asked, and focus on her. A friend of mine is on their board and I have told her I would be happy to donate my services to them for fund raisers, etc...
Margaret Kelly
Kelly Twins Productions
Kellytwins.com
June Smith wrote:
I'm glad that lil Liam got to visit with Mom. He is so sweet. I know that you guyz got to spend a lot of time with her when she came over to swim a lot, which required lots of gentleness. One day maybe they will be looking back and Liam can tell Aiden good stories about Mom... Glad everyone got in a nice visit.
Love, J
On Fri, Aug 1, 2008 at 11:48 AM, Margaret Kelly wrote:
Peter, you were amazing and so sensitive to her--I had forgotten about how good you are in the face of these things. Words are so powerful, and for some, it is very difficult to to find the words that will bring comfort. I think that is the best thing we can do for Chris right now. I feel very comfortable being with her and am grateful to be able to do so.
Warren was so cute to watch--he would jump up suddenly and make a face at her and tease her. It made her smile and she told him she loved him. Having Kathy there makes me feel like someone is on guard and on top of things--a real comfort. And, oh yeah--she rubbed my neck and back! Liam saw her last night and she gave him a real hug, both arms and everything!!! She also kissed him. He wanted to see Aunt Chris and tell her 'I'm going to miss you' and he wanted to give her 4 pinkie hugs--one from each of us. He has not been able to touch her for a year. Aidan did not want to see her (which I agreed was a good thing) b/c he said, 'Well, Aunt Chris is kind of weird.' I guess to a boy who has just turned four, she would seem that way... I told Chris what he said and she smiled! Dave also went to see her, even though I could tell he would have rather have gotten a root canal. He was very choked up. He lost both of his parents this way. He wasn't going to go until he had a couple bourbons and spoke to his sister, Barbara (a saint). He later said to me "It's not about me.' Of course, I've been telling him that for years...
Margaret Kelly
Kelly Twins Productions
Kellytwins.com
Peter Kelly wrote:
I spent Tues and Thurs night with Chris. I really enjoyed that. I got kicked out of the room
last night by Chris because I was snoring! I got sent down the hall to sleep on a big couch in the LR.
There was some really great gooey butter cake, and I had some for breakfast. Chris asked for some
peach last night and we shared one. It was a really good peach.
She made the comment this am that she is relatively comfortable. She said it is the shock of her life.
She is happy to be at deGreeff. She said that she thought it was over, but she is comfortable now.
I know that my constant thought is that her death is impending, it must be even more acute with her
thoughts. She has said 'this is it' to me three times. I finally told her that we are not in charge of that,
and we just have to wait and see, so we shouldn't worry about it. Tuesday night she would wake up
often, and seem startled. I think she was curious to see if she was still alive.
She is very sweet and her sense of humor is intact.
Hooper was there Tuesday night, and Kathy was there last night. I encourage all to spend the night.
It's a great way to visit with her. There's room for whoever.....
Love,
Peter