Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Welcome home Irene. So many thoughts and prayers are with you, John and your family.

John, thank you for keeping us informed. What a beautiful lady you are Irene (your new photo). You are all loved.

Donna

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Glory be! She did not want to pass at the hospital and John knew that.

I am wondering if the treatments for Irene's brain might be helping with her awareness. Hoping that some of the stress is off the important areas and that will make her more sensitive to stimuli.

No one can really rest in the hospital anyway. Nothing like home sweet home.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Dear John,

I'm so glad she's home, knowing that she is loved and cherished and able to smile.

You people are amazing!

Hugs

Jacqueline

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Dear friends -

Irene passes away tonight around 10:30.
Peacefully and quietly - no pain - no anquish.

Think of her often...and smile.


Love to all - John

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

John, I'm so glad Irene made it home. There is no doubt in my mind that is why she held on a little longer. I have had Irene on my mine daily and although I knew this was coming it does not make it any easier. As I type the tears come. I've said it before & I'll say it again. Irene was a true inspriation to me & I will so miss her presents on this board. But I will forever hold her in my heart. John, my sincerest condolences to you and the family at such a difficult time.

Sending much love to you and your family. God bless you all.

Chelee

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

John,

God bless you and your family, she will be missed so deeply by all of us. My prayers go for you and your entire family. My heart is broken.

Paty

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Dear John,

Thank you for letting us know. Hearing she was at peace and surrounded by love when she passed makes it easier for me to accept she is no longer on this planet, physically. Her spirit will be with us for as long as we live. She was an exceptional women with a great sense of humor. I hope you will be at peace with this too. My sincere condolences to you and all who loved her.

We will not forget.

Love

Jacqueline

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Dear John,
I never met Irene in person but feel like I've known her a long time and will miss her terribly. Though I know she is in heaven where there is no cancer I still sit here crying. Praying that peace above all understanding may blanket and fill your heart and carry you forward.
Anja

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

John,

You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Amelia

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Dear friends, family & loved ones.....

I'll be brief as too many words can prove difficult.

Its been decided that services to honor Irene will be on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 @ Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery.

All the many who's lives Irene touched are welcomed - all of you.

Family is asked to arrive by noon for private time with Irene afterwhich all others are invited to join in remembering, celebrating and embracing her life.

Speakers will be welcomed and a chapel service will be done around 2. Afterwhich, a short ride will take Irene to her final resting place.

It was initially considered that a donation to The Breast Cancer Society (in lieu of flowers) would be appropriate. However, this is Irene's day and although they do good work - I ask that you fill the room with flowers.

Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery
4207 East Lake Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33610-8035
Phone: (813) 626-3161

Following graveside services, you are welcomed back to our home at: 14720 Bellamy Road, Tampa, Florida 33625 to relax,
be amongst friends and reminice.

All my love - John

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Thanks, John, for the info for the service in Irene's honor.

They have gorgeous flowers all year around in Florida!

Irene was an active and valued member of this support group (over 550 posts) for five years.
I am sure she would be pleased to see donations to HER2support.org in her memory.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

dear john - i have not been on this site long enough to have 'known' irene at all, but i have been following her story for some time now. i know in my heart that irene held on long enough to celebrate her birthday and to come home to be in the place she loved with the people she loved. it must have given her great peace. i lost my husband to cancer 3 yrs ago. he did not make it home from the hospital, but he did hang on long enough for me to make it there when they called me at 4:30 AM as he suffered a heart attack that actually took his life. i know he held on, just like irene, so that i could tell him i loved him and that he was the best thing that ever happened to me. i am SO glad that she got to be with all of you for her birthday and for her last day and that you got to have her close by. i have been very moved by your intense devotion and by irene's spirit. when she slipped from this earth, perhaps she really did fade away from the pure joy of being home and with you.

valerie

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

John, please accept our prayers and condolences.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

I am so sorry, John. I wish you comfort.

Barb A.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

I am so sorry for your loss, John. May you find strength to go on with your angel now in heaven. Your love for her has inspired me and your posts have made me cry. I can see your beautiful Irene in a heavenly garden full of flowers with a big light coming out of heart and shining in on you.

My prayers go out to you and your family in this difficult time.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Irene was such a special person and member of this group. I so looked forward to her inspiring posts. I will truly miss her. John, please accept my condolences. You and your family remain in my thoughts.
Barbara H.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

John,
I am so sorry and sad to know about Irene's passing. I have been praying for her since she went to the hospital. She was a very special lady and an inspiration to all of us. I liked to read her posts very much. She will be missed.
Irene was blessed to have you in her life, and so were you.
I am praying for Irene, you and your family. My deepest sympathy.
Hugs,
KarlaV.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Fernandez-Puleo, Irene 64 or Tampa was taken by the Angels on January 26, 2010 following a long, courageous and inspiring battle with breast cancer. Irene passed away peacefully and tranquilly at her home, surrounded by her loving family, to begin a journey anew.

Many do aspire, but not all do touch as many hearts as Irene had during her lifetime.

A loving Mother, Nana and Partner, Irene was a beacon of hope, confidence and happiness throughout her life. Never more so than during her 14 year battle against breast cancer.

Born and raised in Tampa, she shared with those she loved and those fortunate to know her an inner strength and love of life that marks her passing…that leaves a void.

Daughter of Paul Puleo & Josephine (Tamargo) Puleo, Irene is survived by daughters Michelle Chaplin (Todd), Kimberly Karpodinis (Jim), Andrea Stachewicz (Shawn), nine beautiful grandchildren, Brother Paul Puleo Jr. and a large and loving extended family. For safe keeping, she carries the heart of long time Partner and Soul Mate John Parachini with her.

A visitation will take place on Sunday January 31st, 2010 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at the Garden of Memories Funeral Home. Services to honor Irene and her life will begin at 2:00PM and internment will follow at the Myrtle Hill Memorial Park.

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

John,

I have not been able to post until now. My heart has just been too heavy with grief. I only knew your lovely Irene "electronically" through this site. Yet that is what is so wonderful about this site . . . it enables all of us to reach across the expanse of this world and be touched by one another.

Irene was a woman who was special to me in the brief time I have been posting here. I was always amazed by her strength and her fortitude, and now I am touched by the way you have brought us into your life. There is one thing that speaks volumes about your beautiful wife, and that is in the phrase you wrote . . . " her 14 year battle against breast cancer. " I don't know that there are many that would be willing to fight for so long.

Please accept my condolences for your great loss. The loss is so great because the love was so deep. May you in time find the comfort that you deserve.

Sincerely, Alice

Re: Irene From Tampa
 

Irene was laid to rest on Sunday, January 31st 2009 following a nice service within which many spoke of her affect on there lives.

The "spirit" of the room buoyed my own.
The many and continual greetings...hugs...and good wishes kept my thoughts positive...and excepting for some darker moments (to be expected) I've been able to maintain an even keel about things.

One of the photos I took in Italy....the "reach out and snap a shot" of our two heads pressed together was cropped and placed beside her casket. Irene looks radiant. It was accompanied by the room full of flowers I'd hoped for and a myriad of photos and clippings that marked her life. That picture hangs on the wall of the family room now...so I sense her still with me.

At her gravesite, one of her healthcare providers whispered something to me...that Irenes doctor...Doctor George...had told her that Irene was his longest living patient.

Her continual fight for additional life...her struggle for additional time to love and learn while on this earth...had bought her that time...gained her that experience.

Now its up to you.

Its up to you to carry on your own fights...to carry Irene's flag...together with flags of the many cherished loved ones and friends who struggle still or you have lost...another 14 years...until a cure is found...until a suitable maintenance drug is discovered...or until you or your loved ones are no longer in jeopardy.


As with the spirit in my heart...
As with that picture on my wall...
Irene will be with you all as you carry forward.

All my very best...

All my love...care...appreciation...and best hopes go out to each of you.


John
2/6/10