I’ve spent this past week, just thinking about the last time I saw Cathy (I’m still in shock about her passing, and it has taken me this long to be able to put into words the saddness that I’m feeling). I too am (was) a nurse on 6 South. The last day I saw Cathy she was my patient, and although we were not able to spend as much time I would have liked to, since I transferred her to ICU at the start of my shift. Cathy still amazed me prior to her transfer by being calm, smiling, and still thinking about others. Amazingly enough, she wasn’t concerned about her health at the time, but much more concerned about Ray’s health and making sure he got something to eat since it had been awhile since his last meal. As for Ray, he was very supportive and loving with his wife, always staying by her side and assisting her with any needs. He also knew exactly what to say to make Cathy smile or laugh, and you know her smile lights up a room. A few hours after she was transferred to ICU, I returned to visit asking her how she was being treated, and she was still smiling; so much so, that I even joked that the day she stopped smiling would be the day I would be concerned/worried. I was able to say good-bye to Cathy, but for other reasons (that was by last day at this facility), but I still hoped to receive a post-card from her honeymoon. Of course, this was my last memory of Cathey, but the memories of her will be unforgetable. She was an amazing woman, a great listener, and I will forever miss that smile!

Eileen