Don lived such a full life. Anyone who knew him would agree. He was always such a positive spirit. He never had a bad thought in his head. He took care of me most of my life and even up to his final days he told the Hospice social worker he was hanging on to take care of me. What everyone needs to know and be at peace with is he was loved and cared for all the way through his battle with cancer. He fought such a courageous battle and was able to make it 5 years with this horrible disease.

Before his diagnosis of rectal/colon cancer, him and I had such great adventures. Even after cancer became an unwelcome visitor, we still traveled. He wanted to go to Scotland and Ireland this year. He has seen and done things most people never get a chance to experience. I could go on and on. I am the one with the memories. I asked him in the end where he would want to go back to after being to so many great places. He said the Greek Isles. I agreed. The picture you see of him is in Santorini in 2017. He had a colostomy bag at that time and it was a different way to travel for him. But it never stopped or slowed him down.

When he was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2019, we had our London/Paris and French Riviera trip already booked. We didn't think we could go due the chemotherapy treatments. I should of known he would be up to it. And for me knowing it would most likely be his last trip, we went and all was good. That man kept up with my fast walking all over the streets of Paris. He was about the only person who could keep up with me.

Don was such a special person. He loved hiking, the outdoors, photography, travel, good food and beer!!!

He gave so much of himself to me. In his eyes, I could do no wrong. I am so touched to have that. We were married almost 28 years. I went to high school with him, graduated together and senior prom. We always had fun whatever we did.

How do talk about a life well lived in only a few paragraphs? He was 54 when he passed and that is definitely a lot of living. I think I turned him into a cat person. He did love all our family members we had over the years.

I know he had no regrets about anything!! When he could no longer work, it was hard for him. He loved his job at the Davenport Hotel, banquet assistant manager. We were looking at moving to Spain. He was learning Spanish and researching it. We would set goals and achieve them. It's too bad cancer came into the picture. But I would tell him, these are the cards you been dealt. It sucks but everyone has a time that is already set in motion from the time you are born. He hiked and did what he loved up to the time he couldn't. It was a hard thing for me to watch everyday slipping away from him. He was a stubborn man who didn't want to give up the fight, but alas CANCER won. I am relieved he is at peace and out of his pain. To see him struggling was not easy and to wish for his spirit to have the peace to let go, I prayed everyday.

May your rest in peace Donny. Cheers to a life well LIVED!!!!