Dad passed away Thursday afternoon, at home surrounded by loved ones. We are having a celebration of life at the house, this coming Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm. I've included the obituary information below.
After his release from the hospital late last Thursday night, we noticed a quick decline in mobility, and the nurse told me friday afternoon that she didn't think he'd have long due to the edema (fluid buildup in his body). Thank goodness many family members were able to fly out quickly, to be by his side.
Our goal was to keep him comfortable and pain free, and I think he was that, through the last several days. He still joked with everyone at times, and even towards his last hours, he maintained awareness and was able to say goodbyes with wife, all of his children, plus nephew Ron, his sister Angie and her husband Ray. It has been a very difficult time, particularly for my mom. We will need to give her a lot of support to get through this terrible loss. (on top of all this, her mom and dad's little yorkie Tutti who has been her doggie on the lap for the past several years, had to be put down today, unbelievably, but it was the right thing to do and mom had accepted that, she did not want to see the doggie suffer through the weekend)
I am still in shock and disbelief, every little while I break down because it seems like we all should be able to wake up from this terrible nightmare and find my dad smiling and asking "what's wrong with you?" We can take some comfort knowing he is at peace and his spirit is among many loved ones, and will always be with us. This was all just many many years too soon. Damn cancer.
Below is the obituary and service information. We will also be preparing some things for his service which I will share on this blog.
DAVID ARTHUR PAGE
David Arthur Page, age 71, lost a long battle with pancreatic cancer at 2:30 pm on Oct 27, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Seneca, MO. Beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, he was loved and admired by all who knew him. He never had an unkind word for anyone but the occasional politician, and his sense of humor never left him. Passionately dedicated to his love of family and country, Dave was loving, patient, generous and hardworking; we can all aspire to live as well as he did.
Born Dec 28, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA, he attended Downey High School (1957), retired (manager ) from Western Electric / AT&T in 1988, worked at Disneyland until 1998, then moved to Seneca . He volunteered at the Recycling center and as a poll and census worker in Seneca. He and his wife have been active members of the Central Committee for Newton County Democrats for many years.
David is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 51 years, Cathy, son Steven (Diane) of Lantzville, BC, Canada, daughters Mary Wassgren (Gary Swindler) of Fullerton, CA, and Lori (Jeff Armantrout) of Banning, CA, 5 grandchildren: Tyler Wassgren, Ella, Anna and Lily Page, and Samantha Armantrout; sister Angela Coulon (Ray), brother Gary (Wendy).
Many thanks to Freeman Hospital, Dr Hassan and the compassionate cancer clinic and Hospice Compassus staffs in Joplin, MO; also Dr. David Linehan and staff at Barnes Jewish Hospital and Hope Lodge St Louis.
A celebration of his life will be held at his home, 108 Oak Ridge Dr, Seneca, on Wed., Nov 2 from 4 to 8 pm; all friends welcome.
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