Patty

George and Group,

Thank You for all of your prayers and support you have provided Mom. On
Thursday the 28th of October (2004) Mom passed away at 4:45 p.m.

George, I hope you and everyone are doing well. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you all.

Thank You and God Bless,
Family of Patty Smith

Patti was really the first on-line member that we had. There were times when talked on the phone, but most of the time we just e-mailed back and forth. There would be times when she would be “down,” and I would “pick her up” a little, and there was times when I was “down” and she picked me up! She even wanted to start a brain tumor support group in Texas where she lived. She always told me that she felt like she was a part of the group. That was because our group e-mailed her and sent her cards every once awhile. I know that my ex-mother-in law (also GBM) became good friends and became pen pals with Patty through the mail. There were certain things that stuck out in my mind about Patty: how much she loved in her husband, Gearry, how much she loved her family, and how she loved the Lord. She would always end her e-mail with:
CELEBRATE JESUS, CELEBRATE LIFE, CELEBRATE LOVE! Then put a little fish on the end, (the symbol for Christianity). And most of the time, she would says “God Bless”. So from all of us to Patty , her husband Gearry and their family, God Bless. <:)))))<<

George

Ken

Asheville - Dr. Kenneth James Manske, 65, of Asheville, died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at a Winston-Salem health care facility.

The son of the late Ferd and Vera Powell Manske, he was born on March 30, 1939, in Minneapolis.

He graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Michigan State University. Dr. Manske was a tenured Professor of Chemistry at Mars Hill College, where he taught for 32 years. He had also previously taught at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill.

Ken was an active member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, serving in multiple capacities including singing in the choir, teaching the Peace Sunday School class for nearly 30 years and providing leadership in various committees. He also received the Laity Service Award this year from the WNC Conference of the United Methodist Church. In addition to his church activities, he was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, the WNC Brain Tumor Support Group and volunteered on several Habitat for Humanity projects.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jan; his daughter and son-in-law, Sheri and Ed Summerell of Kernersville; his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Jennifer Manske of Greensboro; grandchildren, Robert and Catherine Summerell; and sister, Myrtle Manske of St. Paul, Minn.

Mike

Wilmington - Joseph Michael De Santis, 61, died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at sunrise, Sunday at Kure Beach Pier.

Mike started coming to WNC BTS in the spring after finding about us through Lisa Abbey, the wife of member Dave. Mike was GBM and had already had surgery. In the summer, Mike had a clean MRI and was doing well. Mike would call to check on me and asked about other members. If I was down or depressed, he could sense it and would pick me up. By fall, his tumor had returned. After more chemo and more MRI's, the tumor had gotten very aggressive. On November 7, Mike died.

We will miss him and his funny stories and caring support that he brought to our group. God bless his wife, Joy and family.

Kathy