A personal note

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Renee2As some of you know my niece passed away yesterday.  She was in the Kansas City area and was staying at a hotel with her family.  She went to the pool area Saturday evening and for some unknown reason she was found floating face down in the pool about 20–30 minutes later.  They pulled her out and administered CPR and called 911.  They got her to the hospital but she was not responding.  They put her on life support and ran some tests but she didn’t respond.  They removed the life support Monday morning and she passed away.  Renee was 16.

The family had donated many of her organs which is really great.  Hopefully she will give a chance for a healthier life to many other people.  I know that makes her parents proud. 

I want to thank those that have expressed their sympathies and thoughts and prayers.  It means a lot to me and I will convey the messages to her family.

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134 thoughts on “A personal note”

  2. Jonco, I can’t meet or surpass the outpouring of emotion that all have shown, but know that we all care about you as an extended member of our collective family. You’ve touched us throughout the world and although we can’t take away your pain, doubt, and anger, please remember at times like these all differences are aside and we love you and care for you, some in our thoughts and some in our prayers.

  4. I am so sorry what a tragedy on what was probably a family vacation. I will pray for all of you. Hard to understand why these things happen.
    Jackie

  6. I have been thinking of you and your family most of the night. I wish you all strength and hope you find some comfort in each other. You have all of us just here if you need us. xxoo

  8. …this is completely tragic. I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Please accept my condolences.

  9. Such heartbreak……I cannot even imagine. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

  10. Jonco – There are not enough words that can express my feeling. Several years ago we lost a niece in a horse accident. Her neighbor across the street was collecting money from other neighbors to buy flowers for her funeral, when he was hit by a car in front of his house while on his bicycle. The turn out from the town (small town in Indiana) was incredible. My heart and prayers go out to you and her family.

  12. So sorry to hear of it. Really, my thoughts and good will with you and your family. So young – I feel for her parents and hope that they can somehow find peace. All my best

  14. I have been coming to this site since 2005 and now has become part of my life, so this news feels like hearing it from a friend. I am so sorry to hear about your loss Jonco. I have a younger brother of 16 and I cannot imagine how it would feel if I lost him. God bless and my prayers to you and your family.

  15. I am so sorry for your loss. It’s bad enough when it is someone in our age group, but when it happens to a teenager or a child, it is exceptionally heart rending. Our prayers and condolences are with you and your family. Thank you for your wonderful site which takes our mind of of the troubles of this world, yet still reminds us that we are human.

  16. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your niece. My granddaughter is 16 and I feel your pain.

    Please give my condolences to the rest of her family.

  19. I am truly sorry for your loss she looked a sweet girl…..there’s a beautiful song by Alan Jackson called ‘Sissy’s Song’ that would maybe of comfort to her family to hear sometime.

  20. I am sorry to hear this. I hope you and the family get through it alright. I have found these sayings to be helpful in times like this. Hope they help you

    The king asked his advisers to give him something that will make him happy when he was said, and sad when he was happy. The king’s adviser’s gave him a ring that bore the engraving “This too will pass”

    “Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

    “But [Job] replied, “You are speaking like one of the godless women would speak! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.”

    I hope it helps a little.

  21. Jonco, so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief. They say God calls his favorites first. What a wonderful gift your family has given to other families by donating, so that others may have a chance at life, God bless.

  22. She had a beautiful smile… I’m sure it will dwell in the hearts of those near to her for many years.

  23. Thank you Jonco for putting her picture here. She is Beautiful and the Angels will be Welcoming Her with Open Arms. There’s just no two ways about it, it is a tragedy. This is against all laws of life that a parent loses a child before them. God give them strength. Please.

  26. I just want to say again that this really sucks, and you know my thoughts, prayers, and whatever else y’all may need are with you.

  27. Very sorry to read about your family’s loss.
    Hopefully the gifts she has given will help others greatly.
    May Buddha smile upon you all.

  28. Very sorry for you family’s loss. Our community just went through a similar incident with a 7 year-old. It’s so hard to comprehend when this happens to a young person.

    DJ, that verse ia amazing. I’ve read it about 5 times and it chokes me up while at the same time it makes me smile each time I read it. It was the kind of thought I had when my dad passed away, just not so poetic.

  30. Jonco, I’m speechlessly sorry. I feel sad for you, for her family and friends, for all of us who have to say goodbye to those we love.

    DJ: awesome. Thank you.

  31. I’m so sorry to read about your loss. Condolences to you and her family. May you have strength in this trying time.

  32. As a recipent of a kidney and pancreas from a wonderful family who made the decision to donate their son’s organs, I cannot express how much a gift like that means. I was given a second chance at life because a generous family was able to make that difficult choice during a horrible time. My life is wonderful, I love my husband, and my children have a healthy mother who has the strength and energy to enjoy every minute. Although your loss is deep and my heart breaks for you, I hope you can find solace in the fact that your niece has given new life to countless people and they will always have a strong connection to her as well as an overwhelming gratitude to her and her parents.

  33. Jonco,
    I am so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

  35. I am so sorry to hear this Jonco. Like many others have said already, having come to this site everyday for years now, you are such a part of my days now, that I am so saddened by your loss.

    My thoughts are with you and your family.

  37. Such a beautiful girl and such sad news..My heart goes out to you and your family. God Bless and lots of love xx

  46. I’m so sorry for your loss. I have a daughter who’s 16 and can’t imagine how I’d react to such a tragedy.

    Untimely, cut by Fate:
    But in the hearts of friends
    Memories,
    Like a great bell, reverberate.

    (Poems from the Sanskrit)

  49. It is very sad to see so many people throwing away their lives while stuff like this happens to good young people who had lots to look forward to.

    My deepest condolences.

  50. Sincerest condolences. Remembering will hurt at first, but will also help to heal. My thoughts are with you and yours.

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