Joni

- 2004

• Name	Joni
  Gender	Female
  Died	19 Mar 2004
  Person ID	I8779183592	Master Tree
  Last Modified	12 Jul 2007

  
  

  Family	Joseph J Rink
  Last Modified	12 Jul 2007
  Family ID	F8026638943	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  From http://alumni.ndgroups.org/~class57/Memorials.html#Joni%20Rink : Joni Rink (March 19, 2004) Joe Rink lost his wife, Joni, on March 19, 2004, after a three-year battle with cancer.  Joe had been sending periodic emails to some classmates on her progress, or lack thereof.  This is his final report.  He has agreed to share with all of us on our web page.  It makes you appreciate, more than ever, those flowers in your life we need to enjoy while we can and while the flowers are there…..John Slevin Hello Everyone, Just before noon on Saturday, I lost my girl, our patient and your friend. I've got to tell all of you....I really don't know what to say....but I'll try.  Since Monday, the 15th, Joni started to cough more and it was necessary to keep her more and more sedated. This caused her to become more and more removed. These coughing spells were very hard to watch. Along with the above, she would become very anxious. Hospice has two wonderful drugs to alleviate the above problems. As the week wore on, she became less and less lucid. Saturday morning around 10, she started what they call the "death rattle." Nothing will help this. My love took her last breath about 11:50 a.m. All the kids were at her bedside, along with Alexa, our 12 year old granddaughter. It was unbelievable. The day before, Father Ed came over and did a beautiful prayer service for about 25 of the family. I have been crying from  that moment. I've never known such sadness and loneliness. I know some of you have experienced this kind of loss. I now know of what you spoke. This is too hard. However, before I go, Joni and I do have some thanks to give. First to our children and grandchildren. They've made these last two weeks a "haven of love and support." And to the magnificent women who have ministered to Joni... On Sunday I start a new life. To say that I'm scared is the understatement of all time. Please pray that I'm up to the task. Right now, I sure have my doubts. Thanks for listening to us these last 2 plus years. Joni was the perfect soldier. It was my privilege and honor to serve her and act as her caregiver for 3 and a half years. May God bless all of you. And you'd better be prepared, you just might have a house guest... Joe ... for my Joni