Remembering Vonnie

I received some sad news this morning at work. One of my former co-workers, Vonnie, had died of a massive heart attack. She was 48.

Vonnie was the type of person that you could never ignore and never forget. She was born with Spina-bifida, and her doctors told her parents that if she lived to be 12 yrs. old, they could consider her a miracle. (So, I guess if you look at it through that perspective she was a 36 year miracle!) She was a poster child for Easter Seals, and for the Spina Bifida Foundation.

Vonnie was born with only one kidney, as well as several other abnormalities. However, she never let that deter her from LIVING life! She travelled, shopped (OH! MY! HOW! SHE! SHOPPED!), and LOVED to eat out with friends. She was well into her 30's when she met the love of her life, Kevin, and after a whirlwind romance, married him. They honeymooned at Disney World for 10 days and rode rides, and saw exhibits, and had a marvelous time!

A few years ago, Vonnie's kidney decided to stop functioning, so she had been on dialysis 4 days a week. This morning as the tech was helping her hook up to the dialysis machine at the Kidney center, Vonnie had a massive heart attack. She was dead before they could do anything for her. Knowing Vonnie, I'm sure she would be glad that she went quickly.

We will all miss you, Vonnie! See you on the other side!