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Patty was my perfect wife, of whom I am very proud.
We are all here to pay our respects to her. You all know
that she would be shy and humble about all of this.
I called her "my love", like Chuck and Mei Rooney,
"beautiful", "honeybuns", "my muse", "angel", and "honey
bunches of oats".
My wife and I had 6 very wonderful and memorable years
together. We spoke of this moment a few times before she
became sick and a few more times before she went home to be
with our Lord. We shared everything without fighting. I will
cherish every moment I have spent with her, especially the
multiple times we spent talking about our relationship with
God.
We cried together several times telling each other how much
we loved each other. I told her I was happy for her
departure, but sad to be left behind. I wanted so badly to
take away all her pain.
Those who took care of her at home loved her and the love
grew as time passed. Most or all medical personnel who
helped her loved her for her determination, strength,
perseverence, happy smile, and most of all, her positive
attitude, which came from her faith in Christ. My wife moved
the hearts of those she met and also those who heard of her
through me, family, and her many friends.
If you were to question me, her family, my family, or any of
her friends, you would find the same reply - all have been
changed by her special gifts.
I have learned much from her and have grown into a better
man because of her. Patty had this attraction to her that
caused people to open up to her with their problems without
any guilt or shame.
My wife was very humble and always tried to help others.
There were times when she volunteered to help, though sick.
She also asked if I would be willing to help so others would
not be in a jam. That is how I was brought into her church
family of love and kindness. Here are a few examples of her
loving nature:
Ask Selene Gilbert from the UW Cancer Center in the WI
Rapids, who had become Patty's new honorary sister.
Ask Chuck Williams and Sharon Shableau of Illinois, whom she
named as her brother and sister many years ago.
Ask Alyssa Rooney from Adams/Friendship, whom she asked to
be her adopted daughter.
Ask others like Elaine Kotek, Nancy Linda, Father Mac, EJ
and Julie Nahmens, the Sternhagens, the Younks, Nancy Artuso
(who was the third person to know of Patty's passing) and
then those who are here. And you know many more that could
not make it today.
Look all around you and see the many faces of sorrow and
tears...not of her death, but knowing that we will miss her
ever-present love of life and people.
I know the magnitude of her love for all of you has stayed
with her even to her last breath.
My wife left a giant legacy within the hearts of everyone
she met. A legacy to spread kindness and love to every
living person we met. |