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Sad News Regarding Twopack
It is with deep sorrow that I inform you that we have just learned of Twopack, Mary Stephens, one of our Co-Leaders passing Thursday evening. Mary was returning home from work on Wednesday after not feeling well and collapsed. After valiant efforts to save her life, she died on Thursday, surrounded by her family. The information I have at this point is that it was probably of cardiac causes.
Mary lived in Ohio and funeral services are being arranged for those interested in expressing their condolences to the family, probably for next Thursday (6/20),as they await out of town visitors.
I would also encourage everyone to express their thoughts on this post so that we may send it on to Mary's husband, daughters, son, and grandchildren.
Sadly,
Ren
Mary lived in Ohio and funeral services are being arranged for those interested in expressing their condolences to the family, probably for next Thursday (6/20),as they await out of town visitors.
I would also encourage everyone to express their thoughts on this post so that we may send it on to Mary's husband, daughters, son, and grandchildren.
Sadly,
Ren
I've been away from the forum for quite awhile, and I am stunned and saddened to learn of Mary's death.
My heart & prayers go out to her family.
RIP Mary-you were a good friend.
There is a new Angel in Heaven.
Sheila
My heart & prayers go out to her family.
RIP Mary-you were a good friend.
There is a new Angel in Heaven.
Sheila
Rest In Peace Sweet Mary... I know I haven't been on here a lot these last few years, but nonetheless hearing this news deeply saddens me and my heart goes out to your family and friends. You were the light that made this group shine so bright and you always welcomed everyone with open arms and an open heart. The tears are rolling down my face knowing I lost a friend and mentor. We all have to find comfort that you are no longer suffering, but it hurts all the same. I will miss you, Mary...
I am new here... I never had the chance to meet/message Mary.
I do want to send my condolences to her family... She will be missed by all the people on this board... And even those who are new (like me) and those to come here in the future... Her words will always be advice when we search about this mystery called MS.
Cann
I do want to send my condolences to her family... She will be missed by all the people on this board... And even those who are new (like me) and those to come here in the future... Her words will always be advice when we search about this mystery called MS.
Cann
Happy Birthday Mary!!!
Even though you are not here physically to celebrate it, those whose lives you touched will continue to celebrate your life and how much you cared and how you meant to them. I know I will, forever.
To your family, I know today is a hard day for all of you but know that your wife, mother and grandmother was a true treasure and loved by many! My heart and thoughts go out to you again today.
Hugs,
Ren
Even though you are not here physically to celebrate it, those whose lives you touched will continue to celebrate your life and how much you cared and how you meant to them. I know I will, forever.
To your family, I know today is a hard day for all of you but know that your wife, mother and grandmother was a true treasure and loved by many! My heart and thoughts go out to you again today.
Hugs,
Ren
Doni and Moki, how kind of you to add your comments to our collective sorrow over the loss of Mary.
Candy, you have captured so much in your words - thank you for sharing them with us and with Mary's family.
Mary talked so much about how special her sister Martha was and how she left a mark on this world. It's too bad Mary will never know that she has also made such a difference.
hugs to all, Laura
Candy, you have captured so much in your words - thank you for sharing them with us and with Mary's family.
Mary talked so much about how special her sister Martha was and how she left a mark on this world. It's too bad Mary will never know that she has also made such a difference.
hugs to all, Laura
I was just sitting in my chair and went on the computer. I have to say, I feel quite sick, when I read what happened to you Mary. I am in shock, as we all are, and you have know, how very important you were and will always be to us, your family, and your friends.
Our lives are not really our own, someone else is in control, and we don't know when our number will be called. I know, that you watched everyone working on you in the Er, and the ambulance, and how these people tried to save your life.
I also know, that you have started yet another journey, and one they tell us, will be pain free, and not health problems, people problems, or anything else. ( none of us can come back to tell us this), but, I pray that you are now sitting in a comfy chair with a cup of tea, and you are slowly wiping a tear away, knowing just how much you will be missed by all.
You unwavering spirit, and love to everyone on this forum was a touching thing. I know that we had a number of chats, and I always looked for your response to my posts, be them funny, a story, or a concern, you were always there.
So, THANK YOU my friend Mary, you are loved and will continue to be. May we remember you with a smile on our face, and our arms open wide for a gently hug.
((hugs)) to you my friend,
love Candy
Our lives are not really our own, someone else is in control, and we don't know when our number will be called. I know, that you watched everyone working on you in the Er, and the ambulance, and how these people tried to save your life.
I also know, that you have started yet another journey, and one they tell us, will be pain free, and not health problems, people problems, or anything else. ( none of us can come back to tell us this), but, I pray that you are now sitting in a comfy chair with a cup of tea, and you are slowly wiping a tear away, knowing just how much you will be missed by all.
You unwavering spirit, and love to everyone on this forum was a touching thing. I know that we had a number of chats, and I always looked for your response to my posts, be them funny, a story, or a concern, you were always there.
So, THANK YOU my friend Mary, you are loved and will continue to be. May we remember you with a smile on our face, and our arms open wide for a gently hug.
((hugs)) to you my friend,
love Candy
I too don't get on here much anymore but was saddened to see this post. My heart goes out to her family and my thoughts are with those on this forum who have lost a friend and in sense a forum family member. Mary was a bright, intelligent women who will be sorely missed by all.
This is very sad and my heart is with her family and all here on the forum. I don't get on here much any more, but am very glad I saw this post. Mary was a very special person and a friend to many, may God bless and keep her.
Beema, Sho, Alex, Jeny and PD,
What beautiful sentiments and thoughts you shared! Thank you so much, I'm sure the family will appreciate them.
PD: Your eloquent reply is spot on!
Ren
What beautiful sentiments and thoughts you shared! Thank you so much, I'm sure the family will appreciate them.
PD: Your eloquent reply is spot on!
Ren
So many wonderful things have been said above. I've learned of this just a few minutes ago, but I have to say that every single thing said above about Mary describes my experience with her. We need to be thankful for those rare few like her, who work so tirelessly to do so much unseen, so basic to the fabric of society, so unseen, but when done by Mary and her ilk, so professionally, so painstakingly accurate, something incredibly beautiful, and priceless to those of us blessed enough to be on the receiving end.
She will be treasured, I am sure, by many.
She will be treasured, I am sure, by many.
Wow, I can't believe this. I'm saddened and send my deepest sympathy to her family and friends. What an AMAZING, caring, selfless, loving, wonderful lady!!!! I wish I could tell her that she has helped soooo many more people than she could've imagined. She will be greatly missed.
:( Jeny
:( Jeny
I have tears streaming down my face at the news dear twopack (Mary) passed away last week. How strange it is to weep for someone I never in person but felt such a strong connection through her beautiful, intelligent, eloquent writings.
MS is largely an invisible disease to the outside world but can be a living nightmare to those going through it. Mary was a specialist in offering words of comfort and sharing great wisdom and humour. She has helped us all at some stage in our journey.
Vale dear Mary. Our community has lost a giant!
Blessings
Alex
MS is largely an invisible disease to the outside world but can be a living nightmare to those going through it. Mary was a specialist in offering words of comfort and sharing great wisdom and humour. She has helped us all at some stage in our journey.
Vale dear Mary. Our community has lost a giant!
Blessings
Alex
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mary's sudden death. I always looked for her sensible, knowledgeable and warmhearted contributions to the forum and have benefited from her advice. What a deep loss for our community and for all the other people whose lives she touched.
sho
sho
I am so sorry to hear this! What a sad loss to everyone. My condolences to her family!
Thank you for posting! The quote you wrote from Thomas Campbell is wonderful! Thank you for sharing that with us!!!
Ren
Ren
Hello,
I was notified via Facebook by sslowe regarding Mary's sudden passing. My day was busy and spent mostly in my car, taxiing my children to their various destinations. The note from Shelly hung over me all day. I have not been on this forum in a very long time. But, of course, I remember sweet Mary.
I wish I had gotten to know her as well as most of you have, and your words of tribute and stories have really touched me. What a wonderful community! I pray that your messages touch and help to heal her family.
(Although it may not seem like it,) I am at a loss for words. It's such a shock and I know her family must be devastated. It is so obvious the family she had here on this forum as well. I am so sorry and mourn with you.
It sounds as if Mary was a very compassionate leader, just as I found her a compassionate 'forum-mate.' What a loss. I pray that her family here and at home can find comfort from our faithful God and His promises. I love the words of Thomas Campbell:
“To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.”
Surely, Mary, Two-Pack, is in our hearts as is her family.
Blessings and much love,
Take care and feel well~
Momzilla*
I have been very busy with family stuff the last 10 days and have not had the time to check in which is really unusual for me. I am absolutely in shock to come back today to this shocking news. I am feeling sort of numb. Although I have been a part of this forum family for a few years now, I have never actually met or spoken to anyone in person. Mary was someone I felt a real connection to. She was always there with lots of info, useful advice, warm Bella stories and light hearted humor. Her passing leaves a large hole in our community and she will be greatly missed :(
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those close to her.
RIP Mary,....
Deb
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those close to her.
RIP Mary,....
Deb
As a newcomer to this site, I' didn't know Mary unfortunately.
My thoughts are with everyone who were blessed by her!
Carmel
My thoughts are with everyone who were blessed by her!
Carmel
Mary (twopack) reached out to me last January, and upon logging in and reading the sad news today I was compelled to reflect on her wisdom and kindness from the exchange of messages that followed.
From that exchange, as well as from her contributions to the broader forum, she stood out to me among fellow MedHelp members and among the “community leaders” as someone genuinely interested in making this community better and, to the extent of her ability (which she was modest about), keeping its members healthier.
“The desire to provide correct information in an understandable and caring manner is simply part of who I am,” she once wrote me. “It will always be a priority.”
She put considerable time and thought into her messages to me, which mixed warm compliments for some of my posts with tempered constructive criticism of other contributions. She welcomed and even solicited my thoughts and opinions, even those in disagreement (of which I had few, and certainly none of significance). She offered sage, rational advice, sometimes advice I needed to hear even if I didn’t want to hear it.
I have no doubt she took the same approach with her other circles, including her family. She was a role model; hers was an attitude we should all strive for. Mary may not be with us any longer, but her influence is one that to some degree will stay with us forever.
I am a better person for having been acquainted with her. To all of her friends and family, I extend my deepest condolences.
From that exchange, as well as from her contributions to the broader forum, she stood out to me among fellow MedHelp members and among the “community leaders” as someone genuinely interested in making this community better and, to the extent of her ability (which she was modest about), keeping its members healthier.
“The desire to provide correct information in an understandable and caring manner is simply part of who I am,” she once wrote me. “It will always be a priority.”
She put considerable time and thought into her messages to me, which mixed warm compliments for some of my posts with tempered constructive criticism of other contributions. She welcomed and even solicited my thoughts and opinions, even those in disagreement (of which I had few, and certainly none of significance). She offered sage, rational advice, sometimes advice I needed to hear even if I didn’t want to hear it.
I have no doubt she took the same approach with her other circles, including her family. She was a role model; hers was an attitude we should all strive for. Mary may not be with us any longer, but her influence is one that to some degree will stay with us forever.
I am a better person for having been acquainted with her. To all of her friends and family, I extend my deepest condolences.
These sentiments are going to be sent to Mary's family tomorrow, at least the first set so that perhaps they would like to know before the funeral services how much she was loved and appreciated. Maybe they might like to incorporate some of our sentiments into her service.
This post will still remain up after tomorrow and we will forward ALL sentiments received to the family as they are received.
Thank you to all that have participated in this tribute to Twopack (Mary) and all that she gave to the forum and it's members!!!
Ren
This post will still remain up after tomorrow and we will forward ALL sentiments received to the family as they are received.
Thank you to all that have participated in this tribute to Twopack (Mary) and all that she gave to the forum and it's members!!!
Ren
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Dear Mary,
I called you on Monday at your house and left you a rather lengthy message. I knew Chuck would probably hear it if he was about the house and figured you were either outside with Bella or perhaps getting ready for work. I remember at the end that I said that I wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and more often than I call. I ended the message leaving my home phone number and repeated it twice to make sure you called back. It has been a long time my friend since we've chatted.
This morning at 8:36 am (EST), June 14th I hear the telephone ring. I was watching our Red Tailed Hawks at Cornell University. All three chicks fledged the nest! I am sure you were watching it when you had spare time. I quickly "X"d out of the live feed of the Red Tails in preparation of our long winded, laughing, crying, moan and groan about symptoms telephone call. But, it was not YOU, it was Chuck, your husband. The moment I heard his voice an unsettling feeling swept over me, but in the back of my mind, I figured he was going to say you were in the hospital for some relapse or other.
It was not that. He clarified with me that I am the "National Geographic" and MedHelp forum "Lisa" and as I said yes, he then proceeded to tell me he was sad to inform me that you died yesterday. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach, the room began to spin. I was hyperventilating as if an axiety attack was about to submerge.
Your husband proceeded to tell me what happened and that you were not feeling good, yet you still went to PT. You were suppose to work on Wednesday but again you were not feeling good. You were about to open your front door to your house and realized you needed to call 911 and did so. The neighbors saw the ambulance arrive at your house and immediately called your children and Chuck.
I heard you went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance and they recussitated you. Then I heard Upon the arrival in the ER, you again arrested and was revived. They took you to get a CT scan and again, you arrested. This time you were placed on a ventilator. You had a long night and in the morning they did an EEG, showing that you did not have any brain activity. At this time, my eyesight was so blurry from the overflow of tears, I could barely see 2 feet in front of me as I'm writing down notes of what transpired on post-a-notes so I can relay this information to your friends on Medhelp correctly.
What pains me the most Mary, is that I did not speak to you before you left us to join your Mother and sister -- that I could not tell you how much you have meant to me for 3 years of talking on the telephone and the visit to Ohio or you visiting me that never materialized and for reasons you and I both know was not monetarily possible. But it was alright to dream. It was alright to hope and express what we wish we could do.
I have missed you Mary and I'm sorry that I have not called you sooner. I'm angry at myself for allowing so much time to settle in between.
I know you missed your sister and Mother. I know it pained you to no end. I know the struggles you were going through everyday and yet, you always seemed to have a positive attitude and worked yourself through it.
You were the voice of reason, the knight and shining armor of many. You have touched the lives of all these people in MedHelp and your ongoing support (online and off). You were a dedicated medical professional and your reputation is beyond reproach.
Mary as I told you before, you are the most intelligent, wonderful, compassionate women I have ever met. We instantly became friends. I told you I knew I liked you from the first time you posted on my threads and our email exchanges. Everything seemed to fall into place as our friendship evolved and became something more special other than social media on a medical forum.
To my dearest friend and collegue may you rest in peace in the hands of God. May all your suffering and tribulations come to rest, even though it was too soon for many of us, including myself.
Don't you worry about your children and grandchildren, they will be fine. They had a great example to follow and you know as well as I do, that apples don't fall far from the tree.
You will always be in my heart Mary and always be in my thoughts. Not a day will go by that I wont think of you or the memory of your sister or Mother and how much they have meant to you.
Goodbye to my sweetest and dearest friend.
I love you
Lisa