Nancy Rea beat the odds of ALS for a long time
A Bermuda Run resident, she died at 51, but her determination and spirit live on in family, friends


By Lisa O'Donnell
JOURNAL REPORTER




Nancy Rea (2001 photo) and her husband, David, were childhood sweethearts.
(Journal File Photo)



BERMUDA RUN

In 1992, Nancy Rea learned that she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Most people with ALS die less than five years after their conditions are diagnosed.

A strong faith, the will to see her children grow up and good medical care helped Rea buck the odds, friends and family said.

On June 24, Rea, 51, lost her struggle with the disease. She died at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center after a short bout with pneumonia.

“She couldn’t fight it off,” said David Rea, her husband of 31 years.

Rea is survived by four children, Sarah, Alissa, Mary Justin and Thomas, and scores of friends who continued to seek her advice even though the disease severely limited her ability to communicate.

Karen Dalton was one such friend.

“I could tell by what she was thinking by a roll of her eyes, a little grin on her face,” Dalton said. “I always went over there for therapy. She just helped me, even with small things.”

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease is marked by progressive muscle weakness that results in paralysis. There is no cure.

Within two years of her diagnosis, Rea was wheelchair-bound. Eventually, muscle weakness and paralysis spread throughout her body.

Despite her physical limitations, Rea stayed active. Using a special computer, she spent long hours typing e-mails to family and friends. She traveled with her family around the United States and to Europe. Not long ago, she met Katie Couric at an ALS gala in New York.

A few weeks before Rea got pneumonia, she and her family went to see Roger Waters, the former singer for Pink Floyd, in concert in Chicago.

“She just wanted to see as much as life and be around her kids as much as possible. She was determined she was going to beat the odds, and she certainly did,” said Susie Marion, a longtime friend.

Since 2000, Rea’s friends and family rallied on her behalf to form one of the largest teams for the annual “Walk to D’Feet ALS” in Winston-Salem. Money from the walk is used for ALS research and to support programs coordinated by the state’s ALS association.

The team, dubbed “Reas of Sunshine, Reas of Hope,” sometimes had as many as 300 walkers. Jerry Dawson, the president and chief executive officer of the Jim “Catfish” Hunter chapter of the ALS association, said Rea’s teams were among the biggest in the state. Her teams have raised more than $100,000 since they began walking seven years ago.

Marion said that the “Reas of Sunshine” will be at this year’s ALS walk, which will be Oct. 13.

“We have to carry on this legacy,” Marion said. “She was an amazing lady.”

Rea and her husband were strong supporters of the soccer program at Forsyth Country Day School. Their children played at the school, whose soccer stadium is called Nancy K. Rea Stadium. She was a fixture at games, watching them from her wheelchair on a platform near the press box, said Chris Turner, the school’s soccer coach.

An access road that leads from the parking lot to the stadium was built with Rea in mind, Turner said.

He said that the soccer teams will come up with a way to honor Rea this season.

“Definitely, there will be tributes from Forsyth Country Day’s end,” Turner said.

■ Lisa O'Donnell can be reached at 727-7420 or at lo’donnell@wsjournal.com.

Christian, Cyril View/Sign Guest Book


CHRISTIAN, CYRIL, M.D., M.R.C.O.G., 60, of Plantation, passed away peacefully at home on June 28, 2007 after a long and courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He was surrounded by his family and close friends. He is survived by his beloved Katherine, his wife of 30 years, his children Gillian and Simon, and brother, John. He was an extremely loving and dedicated husband, father, brother and friend. Born and raised in Jamaica, he attended The University of the West Indies where he obtained his medical degree. He then studied in Manchester, England and became a member of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. It was during this period that he met Katherine. In 1980 he established his medical practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology - located in Plantation, FL. In the latter years of his career he also worked at the Broward County Health Department, a experience he truly enjoyed. He retired in 2003 due to his illness. He will always be remembered and admired as a person with great integrity and exemplary moral stance. Upon his diagnosis, he continued to enjoy life and demonstrated great strength, courage, and unquestioning acceptance of his illness. He was a great advisor to all who knew him and his guidance, wisdom and love will be missed. He will forever be deeply missed by his family, as well as so many friends who will likewise cherish his memory. His family wishes to thank their many friends for their devotion, love, support, and encouragement during Cyril's illness. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Husman Khan for being his personal physician, friend and traveling partner. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Pamela Dacosta - Blidgen, Patsy Dennis, Earline Daley, and Elsa Badeo for the loving care they gave to Cyril. The family also wishes to acknowledge the care received from Vitas hospice over the last month. Their services truly helped to make a difficult time more comfortable for Cyril and his family. Funeral services: Saturday, July 7th 10 am at Calvary Chapel (South Chapel) 2101 W. Cypress Creek Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery 1300 SE 10th Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The ALS Association Florida Chapter. Please visit http://webfl.alsa.org and click on 'How You Can Help' to contribute. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.
Published in The Miami Herald on 7/4/2007.

George Ray Sigmon

George Ray Sigmon, 61, of Kimberly, passed away at Montgomery General Hospital after an extended illness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, “Lou Gehrig's Disease”.

He was employed as a welder for Cecil Walker Machinery in the Beckley hydraulic shop for 15 years and a graduate of Montgomery High School. He was an avid Mountaineer fan.

He was God's gift to us on July 30, 1945, and our gift to God on June 29, 2007. He was born in Powellton, Fayette County, and was the son of the late Julian and Nellie F. Angel Sigmon. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Jody Lynn; and his brothers, Tuncil and Pete Sigmon.

Surviving is his wife of 40 ½ years, Becky Reynolds Sigmon; son, Tim and his wife Malinda Sigmon of Boomer; two grandchildren, Karli Nicole and Cameron George; sisters, Faye Grounds of Montgomery Heights and Betty Underwood and her husband Charles of Beckley; brothers, Virgil Sigmon and his wife Wilma and Kenneth Sigmon and his wife Judy of Powellton, Charles Sigmon and his wife Shirley of Mt. Carbon and Julian Sigmon Jr. of Barrett; and a host of nieces, nephews and in-laws.

The family extends a special thanks to all of his caregivers.

The service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 2, 2007, at Kimberly Church of God, Kimberly, with Pastor Bill Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Montgomery Memorial Park at London.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc., 900 Lee Street No. 1010, Charleston, WV 25301.

Bennetts, John V. "Jack" View/Sign Guest Book


BENNETTS, John V. (Jack) - Age 69, after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, our brave hero passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at his Flushing residence, surrounded by his loving family and is now in Heaven moving his arms and legs again! Funeral services will be held 1PM Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at Rossell Funeral Home. Rev. David G. Kulchar will officiate. Cremation will follow the services. Visitation will be 1-4PM and 6-9PM Monday and 11AM-1PM Tuesday at the funeral home. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins. Jack was born January 10, 1938 in Flint, MI, the son of William and Martha (Johns) Bennetts. He graduated in 1956 from Flint Technical High School. In 1958 he married the love of his life, Patricia Aris. Together they raised three children. In 1988 they opened the Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio in Flushing. He retired from GM Grand Blanc after 31 years. Jack had a passion for cars, car shows, hot rods, and drag racing. He won numerous awards and trophies with his cars. Surviving Jack is his adoring wife, Pat; son and his wife, Scott and Diane Bennetts; daughters and their husbands, Lisa and Paul O'Leary, Wendy and Craig Gagne; grandchildren, Amanda and Emilee Gagne and Jason and Shannon Ciszek; and his beloved dogs, Maggie, Kerby, and Lilly. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William Bevan Bennetts; and a baby daughter, Kimmie. A special thank you to our loving friends and family, and also Dr. Kodsy and Ricky, Todd Walter, Matt, Ryanne, Edel and Darwin for their loving care. Thank you to the staff at Merle Norman for their loving support.
Published in the Flint Journal on 7/2/2007.
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Marge D'Spain


1923-2007
Born April 14, 1923 in Palo Alto, Marge entered into rest on June 23, 2007 at the age of 84. Loving mother to Michael and his wife Gail D'Spain of San Antonio, Rob D'Spain of San Jose, and Deborah D'Spain of Fremont. Grandmother to David, Adam and Joshua of Texas, and proud Great-Grandmother to Blake. Also survived by her cherished sister-in-law Jean McNeil, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert in 2002. Marge married Bob June 22, 1947, and she passed away the day after what would have been their 60th wedding anniversary.
The family would like to thank the staff at Carlton Plaza Fremont, Pathways Hospice, and her loving caregivers. With their attentive help, everyone made mom's day a little brighter and helped her cope in numerous ways with her difficult struggle with Lou Gehrig's disease. At Marge's request, there will be no services.

Dr. Philip Wagley, a retired dentist and career Army officer who served in three wars, died Sunday of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, at the Blakehurst Retirement Community in Towson. He was 86.
Dr. Wagley was born and raised in Columbia, Pa. He earned his bachelor's and dental degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

He served with the Army Dental Corps during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, at military posts and bases in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

He was a colonel at the time of his 1970 discharge, and his decorations included the Army Commendation Medal and Legion of Merit.

Dr. Wagley moved to Baltimore and enrolled at what is now the Bloomberg School of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a master's degree in public health.

From 1973 until retiring a second time in 1983, Dr. Wagley was an associate professor of prosthodontics at the University of Maryland Dental School.

The 31-year resident of Crofton, who had lived at the Towson retirement community since 2002, was a member of the American Diabetes Association, Military Retired Officers Association and the American Legion.

He was also a member of the alumni associations of the University of Pennsylvania and Hopkins.

His wife of 26 years, the former Ann Elizabeth Baird, died in 1997. An earlier marriage to the former Philomene Kauffman ended in divorce.

Dr. Wagley was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Towson, where a Mass of Christian burial was offered yesterday.

Surviving are a son, Joseph P. Wagley of Derry, N.H.; a daughter, Karen B. Wagley of Prescott, Ariz.; a stepdaughter, Barbara J. Smith of Lancaster, Pa.; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Oplinger, Lee Jay View/Sign Guest Book


LEE JAY OPLINGER
ITHACA - Lee Jay Oplinger was born December 30, 1947. A native Ithacan, he left this life on June 18, 2007, succumbing to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
He was laid to rest June 21 at Greensprings Cemetery in Newfield, in a natural burial in keeping with his love of the environment. A graduate of Cornell University, Lee was a City of Ithaca forestry technician for eleven years. He oversaw the planting of thousands of trees and managed the city's tree inventory system. Lee helped coordinate the Citizen Pruners, a volunteer group tending to Ithaca's trees. Lee was a sweet, caring man who enjoyed gardening, cats, butterflies, music, Christmas celebrations, photography, and the outdoors. He knew the Latin names of every tree in Ithaca. Surviving are his fiancée, Laura Blakeley; sons, Michael and Brandon of Newfield; siblings, William (Irene) Oplinger of Lacey, Washington, Priscilla (Jere) Conover of Freeville, Katherine Ross of Ithaca, and Jeannie (Ron) Pluck of Ithaca; and many nieces and nephews. His parents, Percy and Elizabeth (Allen) Oplinger, predeceased him. Memorial donations may be made to Hospicare of Ithaca, the ALS Association, Upstate New York Chapter, PO Box 127, Route 5W, Elbridge, NY 13060, or the Lee Oplinger Memorial Tree Fund, c/o Andy Hillman, City Forester, 245 Pier Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. A celebration of Lee's life will be held at 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 1, at Hospicare, 172 East King Road, Ithaca. Please bring your memories and a dish to share.

Thanks, Thanks for posting this obituary. This was my fiancee of 10 years. I miss him very, very much.
Laura Blakeley

I'm so sorry for your loss Laura.

JACK BURKE SOWARDS
March 18, 1929 - July 8, 2007



Sunday, July 08, 2007
MORPHINE AND CHOCOLATE
My father has been ill for quite some time. As many of you know, I moved in to his house to care for him for several months, until my sister took over those duties in February. He was suffering from chronic obstructive pulminary disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
He finally let go early this morning. He went peacefully, with no pain. Penny was periodically spooning chocolate sorbet onto his tongue so he'd pass away with the taste of chocolate in his mouth.
Hence the title of this post.

Thanks to all of you who gave us your words of support and encouragement these very difficult past few weeks.

http://catharinechronicles.com/2007/...chocolate.html