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Family News and
Travel Blogs
Mike & Sunny Do
Alaska Sep 8, 1999
Mike and Sunny finally made the inside passage tour to
Alaska, after years of talking about it. Although highly unusual that they
would venture out of their Edmonds home,
the Strongs made the investment and took the trip. The
expected sites were encountered with eagles, salmon, whales, bears, glaciers,
helicopter rides to the Mendenhall glacier, a train ride to the top of the pass
made famous by the gold rush, and more food than can be imagined. The floating
hotel provided non-stop entertainment with dancing every night after the stage
productions. A well equipped gym helped offset the challenges of overeating.
Faith Strong Passes
Away on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 28, 1999
Faith Strong, the wife of George Strong who passed away in
June this year, died at the
Thanksgiving day table of Mike and Sunny Strong. She had
been suffering from
metastatic lung cancer and had received radiation therapy to
relieve pain. She also had
a partial lobectomy the previous year to remove a cancerous
nodule. She lived her
whole life in Colfax, Washington and retired as the
Operations Officer of U.S. Bank in
Colfax. She knew nearly every family in the area as a result
of her work and her
gregarious nature. She and George were well known and loved
through out the
community. She was a
unique person with a wonderful memory
for folklore. She will be missed.
Thanks to All, Mar 1,
2000
Many thanks
to the family for their participation in the ABC awards banquet. I was proud to
have such a wonderful representation of my family and it was clearly impressive
to all the attendees as well, considering the applause that you received. I
would also like to thank Shane, who hasn't declared his interest in joining
this illustrious group, but nevertheless, participated in the festivities.
Perhaps the next family reunion will take place somewhere other than a Disney
facility.
Blood Center Director
receives Lifetime Achievement Award, Mar 8, 2000
D. Michael Strong, PhD, operations director for the Puget
Sound Blood Center and a
Research professor at the University of Washington School of
Medicine, recently received the prestigious Thomas F. Zuck Lifetime Achievement
Award. This award,
bestowed by America’s Blood Centers (ABC) at it’s annual
meeting, recognizes Dr.
Strong and Sally Caglioti, vice president of Blood Systems
in Arizona, for their remarkable achievement in the implementation of nucleic
acid testing (NAT) for half of the nation’s blood supply. NAT employs a new
form of testing technology to improve the
safety of the blood supply through screening that directly
detects the genetic material of
viruses like hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV, the virus which
causes AIDS.
Because NAT testing is more sensitive than current screening
tests, it may reduce the
window of infectivity by as much as 60 days for HCV and 11
days for HIV. This test can
detect the presence of the virus before the body has time to
produce antibodies to the
infection.
"Dr. Strong and Ms. Caglioti are two of the most
impressive leaders in blood banking
today, notes Dr. Thomas Zuck, a pioneer researcher in the
blood banking industry.
"Together they oversaw implementation of the most
complex and far-reaching event in blood screening history. In less than a year they helped take NAT
testing out of the
reference lab and into the real world of ABC’s member blood
centers, under the largest
research protocol ever carried out under the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Their collaboration with Roche and
Chiron/Gen-Probe made transfusions even safer by
reducing the window period for HCV and HIV," said Zuck.
Dr. Strong is a graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane,
Washington and received
his PhD from The Medical College of Wisconsin. He joined the Puget Sound Blood
Center in 1988, to establish the Northwest Tissue Center
following 20 years in the Navy,
where he served as director of transplantation research for
the Naval Medical Research
Institute and director of histocompatibility laboratories
for the Army/Navy Transplant
Program. As a Navy Program Manager, he was responsible for
assisting in the
establishment of The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
He was named director
of operations of the Blood Center in 1994.
Dr. Strong is recognized internationally as one of the
world’s leading experts in cell
cryopreservation and tissue banking.
Founded in 1944, Puget Sound Blood Center provides blood,
tissue and specialized
laboratory services to the majority of patients in Western
Washington.
Founded in 1962, America's Blood Centers (ABC) is the
national association of
nonprofit, independent community blood centers. ABC members
are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and provide
half of the nations blood supply.
Strong Gathering On The Lake, May 27, 2000
June 24th the Strongs will gather to spend a week on Lake
Couer d'Alene in Northern Idaho. A place has been selected on the south side of
the Lake about 17 miles off I90 on Hwy 97. It sits up high over the lake with a
western view for sunsets. A number of day trips are being discussed including
Schweitzer, Rednours, Silverwood, with hiking, biking, horseback riding,
swimming, boating, fishing and other activities planned. Sunny and the Rick
Foulkes family will join in on Thursday the 29th. The cabin sleeps 12 and is
fully loaded with videos, puzzles, video games, and lots of
room. It should be a blast.
Jul 3, 2000
The
vacation was a great success with all activities covered with the exceptions of
biking (too tired), horseback riding (no horses). The fish in the lake are
safe, although one fish had the harrowing experience of spending a few minutes
in a bucket of water and being observed by members of the family before going
back into the lake. Sydney Strong enjoyed the action with Davis and Ryan
running about. We had great weather and good food to go along with the side
trips to Silverwood, the Rednours, Kellog (to view the unmoving gondola) and
the canoe trip along the lake shore. We look forward to another adventure in
the future.
Strong Visits, Apr
28, 2002
The
much-traveled D.M. Strongs are fulfilling the family frolics. SS spent the
weekend with daughter Trish in Scottsdale and the following weekend, D.M. spent
a
day with David, Lisa and Sydney in Providence. Next weekend
it's Mike, Davis and Ryan's turn as both spend a weekend with them and attend
Davis' first communion. It's then off to Honolulu for a week on the beach and a
visit with the Li family. Nothing like racking up those frequent flyer miles in
order to spend them on more travel. On the way back from Providence, D.M. spoke
with brother Rick from the Chicago airport to discover Rick in California about
to get on a plane back to Chicago. We both waved at each other in the air as we
passed going in opposite directions.
Musical Memphis, Jul
25, 2002
Mike and
Sunny just returned from 6 days of warm (temperature!) warm (hospitality).
Sunny is filing this report from Washington D.C. as we continue our July
escapades.
Weekend nights strolling Beale Street were wonderful.
Memphis citizens are so proud that blues, then rock and roll started on this
street. The tradition continues with street, sidewalk and club bands; excellent
sounds and soul. We were listening to music at B.B. Kings thinking how lucky we
were to hear so many excellent musicians. When Mike asked what's up, we learned
the musician at the mike is the younger brother of "little" Jimmy
King who died that week at age 37. Each musician appeared on stage as a tribute
to Jimmy who had been a B.B. King regular. It was poignant as they expressed
their grief.
W.C. Handy, an earlier musician, has a park named after him with
nightly music and dancing.
A youngish musician on the street with his band expressed
frustration and anger that bands like his were being intimidated off the
streets by clubs which felt they distracted from paid customers inside their
clubs.
Teen boys, called "flippers" do flips in the
middle of the street. Two of them did high, fancy flips inside B.B. Kings as a
tribute to Jimmy. One blew out a candle on a table in midair!
One night we attended a fish fry benefit at the Center for
Southern Folklife. This center celebrates the achievement of
artisans:quilt-makers, cane benders and carvers, guitar makers, etc. That night
5 gospel singer groups performed. Their faith in God shone through their music
as they made testimonies; again, a very poignant, personal experience. Maybe
we're confused when we term our more objective museum exhibits as
'interactive'? We were welcomed from the mike as we joined the regulars in
clapping and enjoying. I even had a Moonpie Sundae, mmmmmm.
I walked several blocks to the Civil Rights Museum. It's
actually in the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assasinated on the
balcony outside his room. When I arrived, I met a closed door and a notice that
it was closed on Tuesdays! I must have looked crestfallen, as the security
guard asked if he could help me. I explained we were leaving town the next day
and I wanted to see this famous museum. He decided to let me in! I had the
place to myself and spent two hours in painful recollection of man's inhumanity
to man! Through videos, soundtracks, films, and life-size re-enactments, the
visitor is swept back and jolted over and over again. The rhyme "Eeny
meeny miney moe" repeats as a backdrop for all the exhibits. I boarded a
real bus, sat down, and heard a recorded bus driver yell at me to give up my
seat. You can see right into the room where he died. Wow! Coincidentally, our
cab driver to the airport is an historian who belongs to the museum guild.
Just as in Atlanta, folks call each other 'baby' or 'mama'.
I liked these warm
monikers!
We stayed at the historic Peabody Hotel where six mallard
ducks live on the roof and march into the lobby fountain each morning to
commemorate a prank from the owner/hunter years ago. We wished we had our
grandchildren with us as they would have enjoyed this ritual.
The National Metal Ornament Museum
was fascinating. Here I learn of a Seattle
jewelry artist, Ramona Solberg as they
had a temporary exhibit of many of her
necklaces.
Graceland was quite a trip! We remember Elvis when he was in
his gorgeous prime. Yeh, you had to have been there in the 60's. Many in our
group of Blood Bankers remarked how surprisingly interesting this tour was. I
knew I'd be interested, but they learned how altruistic Elvis was plus his
dedication to his mother. He said the mansion was his mother's house, really.
He wanted her to have something nice as they grew up poor.
Smiles and hugs are wonderfully prevalent in Memphis. I ate
fried green tomatoes, greens, and real key lime pie. One restaurant comes with
a hug from the proprietor! I was so thoroughly soaked from the humidity and
heat, this was truly a charitable act!
My riverboat cruise on the Mississippi was nice, but it
didn't provide the cool breezes I craved. Even on the water Memphis is sultry
hot!
Dad and I loved the Gibson guitar factory. The blood bankers
had a reception there after hours, so we had the place to ourselves plus an
animated storytelling guide.
We left Memphis full of mosquito bites and warm + warm
memories!
Drew Strong, Feb 17, 2003
Welcome to the newest member of the family, DrewRichard
Strong was born at 1343 EST on Saturday, 15 Feb 2003 in Providence, RI and
weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz. Lisa and David are doing well and the whole family
is back home. Sunny and Mike look forward to meeting the new Strong boy on the
26th when they fly in from D.C.
Mike Strong Appointed
to BPAC, May 2, 2003
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently appointed
Puget Sound Blood Center Executive Vice President Mike Strong, PhD, to its
Blood Products Advisory Committee (BPAC). The committee is responsible for
ensuring the safe and appropriate use of new products, technologies and medical
devices in the treatment and prevention of human blood-based diseases. One of
two non-voting 'industry representatives,' Strong will be a blood services
expert on the committee. Strong was jointly nominated to the position by AABB,
America's Blood Centers, the American Red Cross, the Plasma Protein
Therapeutics Association, and was supported by AdvaMed.
“It’s an honor to represent the blood banking community’s
perspective on the important issues relative to the nation’s blood supply,”
Strong said. “Each year brings important new challenges and opportunities
affecting transfusion therapy, whether it is the emergence of threats such as
West Nile virus or the introduction of scientific and technological advances.”
According to a blood center press release, Strong was
selected because of his prominent role in modern blood banking and extensive
experience in transfusion and transplantation. His familiarity with critical
topics such as West Nile virus (WNV), bacterial contamination and new testing
methodologies are assets as well.
With more than 30 years of experience spanning blood and
tissue banking, Strong is an internationally recognized authority in cellular
cryopreservation, transplantation, transfusion medicine, and tissue banking,
the release stated. He established the Northwest Tissue Center at Puget Sound
Blood Center and helped implement the nucleic acid test (NAT) now used to
screen the nation’s blood supply. Strong is a research professor for the
Department of Surgery and Orthopedics at the University of Washington School of
Medicine, Seattle. During his career in the U.S. Navy, he headed the Naval
Research Institute’s Clinical and Experimental Immunology Department and was
instrumental in establishing the National Marrow Donor Registry.
Puget Sound Blood
Center Press Release, Sep 13, 2003
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: Steve
McLean — tel.: (206) 292-6511
email:
stevemc@psbc.org
pager: (206) 680-2610
Puget Sound Blood Center Executive Honored
by National Tissue Banking Organization
September 8, 2003, SEATTLE
-- The American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), a scientific
organization that sets the quality standards for tissue banking nationally,
recently presented Mike Strong, Ph.D, executive vice president of operations at
Puget Sound Blood Center and the founding Director of the Blood Center’s
Northwest Tissue Center, with the prestigious George W. Hyatt Memorial Award.
Conferred to Dr. Strong during the 27th annual AATB meeting in San Diego,
California, Aug. 23-26, the award recognized Dr. Strong’s significant
contributions to the advancement of tissue banking.
The Hyatt Award, first presented in 1995, is given each year
to an individual scientist who has demonstrated exemplary research, teaching
and service in the field of tissue banking, tissue transplantation or
transplantation medicine. Past recipients of the award include noted scientists
Julie Glowacki, Ph.D, director of Skeletal Biologyat Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts and Kenneth W. Sell, M.D., Ph.D, of Emory
University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I am pleased to receive this acknowledgement on behalf of
Northwest Tissue Center,” said Dr. Strong, just after the award ceremony. “The
Hyatt Award has come to embody the high standards to which accredited tissue
banks must strive in all aspects of tissue banking and transplantation. Since
its founding more than 15 years ago, Northwest Tissue Center has upheld this
standard and remains committed to the responsible stewardship of the community
tissue supply.”
With more than 30 years of experience spanning blood and
tissue banking, Dr. Strong is an internationally recognized authority in
cellular cryopreservation, transplantation and transfusion medicine and tissue
banking. He established the Northwest Tissue Center, a department of Puget
Sound Blood Center in 1988 and later helped implement the nucleic acid test
(NAT), now being used to screen half the nation’s blood supply.
A non-voting member of the Food and Drug Administration’s
Blood Products Advisory
Committee, Dr. Strong also serves as a research professor
for the Department of Surgery and Orthopaedics at the University of Washington
School of Medicine. Formerly, he had a
distinguished career as a Naval Officer where he headed the Naval Research
Institute’s Clinical and Experimental Immunology Department and was
instrumental in establishing the National Marrow Donor Registry.
Internationally, AATB has contributed its tissue banking
expertise to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Tissue Bank
program, which has contributed to the introduction of high quality standards of
tissue banking to developing countries internationally by establishing tissue
banks, training associated staff and developing
standards and regulatory guidelines.
AATB standardizes the operations of participating tissue
banks throughout the United
States and to achieve nationally recognized uniform levels
of safety and quality
NEW MEXICO 10/6/03
No wonder Georgia O’Keeffe reveled in
the changing sky and awesome openness of this beautiful state. The shades and
shadows of browns and greens provide a pallet all by themselves. Here one can
see
forever. Weather patterns are
observed from afar as they slowly creep towards you. One mountain range is soft
‘black-violet’ , an overlapping range is
the darkest green. Puffy clouds play in the sky and spread across the mountains.People
spoke of returning to New Mexico just
because of its wonderful sky and moderate weather.
The state faces poverty and alcoholism, the
lack of jobs, and the disparity between the haves and have-nots.
SANTA
FE
The Museum of Folk Art is a MUST see.
It is one of three museums anchored by a lovely plaza plaza with sculptures, a
labyrinth and gardens. One section houses a huge, delightful, smile-producing
,whimsical, eclectic collection of miniature dolls. Another shows gorgeous
handwoven bue garments and blankets from several different countries.
The
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum was much smaller than I had expected (and hoped). Much
of her work is displayed elsewhere. Her husband, Edward Stieglitz’s photographs
are presented as well. Quotes from O’Keeffe dot the walls and set the tone for appreciating
her goals and inspirations. I was grateful I had seen several of her works in
other venues and had read her biography. She succeeded in ‘shouting’ to us
about the beauty of nature bu singling out one element. I love her comfort with her body at all ages! Yes, those knarly hands
are beautiful art forms.
I
walked to Los Mayas” restaurant nearby. Perfect plantains, enchildas with
cheese swimming under the mole sauce. Yum.
The
city tour highlights: Very artsy, pedestrian friendly Canyon Road, St. Francis
Cathedral, and the native American craftspeople on the veranda of the
Governor’s House.
ALBUQUERQUE
Kaori Lopez, the daughter of my lively,
iconoclastic friend, Peggy James, spent the day showing me her new hometown. On
the U. of NM campus, a bodacious
sculpture delighted me. Splashy bright colors, bold features on the dancing
pair. It was harsh, earthy, and evocative!
We toured the Southwest history exhibit at the
Archeology Museum on Campus. Fascinating
facts about New Mexico’s early inhabitants (1,000AD). This was good preparation
for seeing the pueblos.
Kaori
chose a small casual restaurant which kindly offered a choice of fire power:
Red Chile, Green Chile, No Chile. I chose a dab of green chile .When Kaori
accidentally dropped her spoon, the waitress told us tradition means she will
soon entertain a guest! Kaori’s husband grew up in the north of NM where time
has stood still in many ways. It has modest ranch style or adobe homes, flashy
50’s of 60’s cars, omnipresent Catholic icons, all enjoyed by close extended
families. They visit frequently.
BALLOONS!!!!!!!
The alarm rings at 4am on this day I’ve
anticipated ever since I learned of the
hot air balloon festival each October. We took a bus to the balloon launch
area. It had rained the previous night, so the mass ascension of 750 balloons
was at risk of being cancelled. We had an extra hour to wait as the launch was
delayed. The silver lining? I had an hour to eat a yummy breakfast burrito
(bacon, eggs, cheese and potatoes) plus buy an alpaca sweater coat from Peru.
I was feeling sleepy and (therefore)
crabby when the first balloons were inflated by butane torches. It was
amazingly exciting to see the balloon fill out and take shape, then see the
baskets tipped upright, helpers holding on to guidelines slowly enabling the
balloon to be upright and ascending. The marvelous colors, designs, shapes were
bedazzling! I forgot my crankiness.
CLIFF
DWELLINGS AT BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT
After viewing a video and touring the
mall museum, we walked along the ruins’ path, climbed wooden ladders leading to
cave dwellings of the Anastazi Indians who lived there 1000-1200 AD. It is
pleasantly humbling to see ancient ruins testifying to the intelligence and
ingenuity of people before us. There is also a palpable sense of belief in a
higher Being.
Carl Bettinger and his wife hosted a
dinner at a charming French bistro. We complimented the chef as we enjoyed our
steaks and protiferoles. He then wrote us an introductory note to a Parisien
chef because we mentioned our upcoming trip to Paris.
MYSTICAL
LAST MORNING IN NM
Imagine awakening in your high rise
hotel, opening the curtains, seeing 150 vivid balloons floating at eye level.
This was a magnificent adios to New Mexico!
End Of An Era: The
Red Cricket, Mar 12, 2005
Today marks
the end of an era as Dorothea and Ken have sold the Red Cricket at Schweitzer
for $145,000. The condo was purchased when Nancy was only 3 years old in 1964
(I seem to remember for about $8,900). It is hard to imagine not having a ski
condo after so many years of family reunions, Christmas gatherings and
countless ski outings for various family members. It is with mixed feelings
that Dorothea leaves this place behind with so much work and care that has gone
into the place. The whole family will have memories of great times on the mountain.
The sale
has fallen through as the buyer didn’t have the financing. The Cricket is back
in the fold.
Kenny Foulkes in
Terminal Condition, Jul 30, 2005
About three weeks ago Ken fell and hit his head. As a result
he bled into his head which required surgery. On Tuesday, July 19 he was
operated on to remove blood and relieve pressure on his brain. He came through
well and was talking while in ICU and seemed fine. About 24-48 hours later he
was no longer responding and unable to recognize anyone. He has been in that
condition ever since. On Thursday, July 28, because of abnormal liver function
tests, a scan was done and numerous tumors discovered. The doctors have
declared that there is nothing more they can do for him. He is presently at
Sacred Heart Hospital and is being kept as comfortable as possible. Nancy and
family are making preparations for his final resting place which will be in the
family plot on Michigan Prairie in Adams County where his grandparents were
buried. People will be informed when he passes away and when a service will be
scheduled.
Tuesday
night, Kenny Foulkes passed away. He never recovered from his operation and
died of liver failure. His mother was in Spokane to see him on the day he died
and Dorothea was with him at the end. We will miss him and his support for the
family. Services will be announced later.
Kenny Foulkes
Obituary, Aug 14, 2005
Kenny Foulkes, 79, Spokane resident, formerly of the Lind
and Othello area, passed away in Spokane, WA on August 7,
2005. Kenny was born February 6, 1926 in Spokane, Washington
to John Foulkes and Naomi (Foulkes) Pittman. He graduated in 1944 from Lewis
and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington. He was active in school
athletics, serving as Captain of the football team and lettering in track.
Kenny held various offices during his school years. As a Technical Sergeant in
Korea, he received an Army Commendation Ribbon. He returned to wheat farming in
Adams County where he worked for the next four decades.
Kenny played town team baseball in Kahlotus, Washington and
enjoyed snow and water skiing activities. Elected to four terms as Adams County
Commissioner, he served as Adams County chair for Congressional and
Gubernatorial candidates including Tom Foley and Dan Evans. He was a member of
the Executive Board of the Washington State Association of County
Commissioners. He volunteered for Republican Committees and Caucuses and other
community boards in Adams County. He served as President and as an active
member of the Adams County Wheat Growers Association.
As a resident of Othello for over thirty years, Kenny
participated in Lions Club and other community projects.
In retirement, Kenny never missed a Lewis and Clark Class
reunion; enjoyed watching local high school sports, Gonzaga University
basketball, playing golf, skiing and campaigning for local politicians in the
Spokane area. Mother Naomi Pittman, brother Donald Foulkes, sister Irene
Cornwell, and Dorothea Foulkes survive him. Four children:
Sons: Michael Strong, Bill Foulkes, Richard Foulkes,
daughter Nancy McKinnon, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Dorothea Suffers
Stroke, Aug 23, 2005
On Thursday night the 18th of August 2005, Dorothea suffered
a stroke while staying at the Schweitzer condo. Unfortunately she wasn't
discovered until Saturday morning at which time she was rushed to the hospital
in Sandpoint. She had several friends who stayed with her until her sons Bill,
Rick and Mike arrived to assist. Initially it looked very difficult but she has
since been awake and seems to be recognizing people. She has lost her speech
and has partial loss of her right hand and leg. Tuesday morning she was flown
to Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in Seattle, considered to be the second best
stroke treatment center in the country. Rick was on the medical evacuation
plane with her and has assisted getting her admitted. Mike and Sunny have
stayed in Spokane for a few days to work on arrangements for care of her house
and consolidation of her finances. Bill
is driving back to Seattle to be available for support. The prognosis has
improved each day but we await tests being done at HMC. Everyone should keep
her in their prayers.
Aug 25, 2005
This morning the family heard a report on Dorothea from Dr.
Mark Piker at Harborview. This afternoon, Rick and Bill report that she smiled
at them! Tonight Nancy noted that Dorothea seemed tired, but turned to hear
their voices and smiled when her grandson, David spoke.
Dorothea had a major embolic stroke. It affected her
internally and externally, leaving her right side paralyzed. Her vision,
mobility and speech were affected. The Doppler test showed blood flow through
the neck of 16-49%. There was damage to the pca arteries. It was difficult to
get a trans-cranial Doppler reading as the bone is too thick. (Normal in older
people) The cause of the stroke may have been atrial fibrillation. She may have
had a blood clot travel to her brain.
She can move her left side and her head. In order to qualify
for intensive (3 hrs./day) physical therapy, she would have to be stronger, be
able to speak, be able to swallow (she now needs an IV and feeder tube), and be
more alert. Therefore, an intermediate rehabilitation is in order.
She will be at Harborview a few more days,then be
transferred to a skilled nursing facility where she will receive rehab therapy
for speech, vision, and mobility. We are following the leads which the social
worker gave us to find a place good enough for our elegant Dorothea! She needs
ongoing mobilization and is receiving care from a PT and an OT at Harborview.
I do not get the impression that she can see and delight in
flowers at this point. She LOVES having someone hold her left hand. It's
clearly comforting to her. I'm guessing, that perfection would be having
someone holding her hand anytime she's awake so don't hesitate to visit.
Aug 27, 2005
We are learning the truth of one doctor's description of a
stroke victim having good and bad days. Dorothea is sometimes more alert than
other times. During the last two days, we have seen evidence that she hears
well, has some sight in her left eye, can reach out with her left arm, and,
best of all, smile. Then, another visit she is less responsive. She has also
had tears so we know she is frustrated with her situation and it is also difficult
for the family to watch this.
Today, she could not pass the hospital's swallow test. They
will test her again on Monday. If she cannot swallow, she needs a feeding tube.
She tends to pull it out, so this is not a great solution. She may need to have
a tube inserted directly into her stomach next week. This is not a long-term
solution however.
We are touring skilled nursing facilities where she could
receive rehab when released from Harborview. Looks like this won't be for a few
more days. We have some viable options as there are openings in some nearby
centers.
I still don't know how much she sees. She seems to notice
the TV, so might notice flowers? She brightens her expression when she hears
voices, even from a cell phone. It was wonderful to see her reach out, grab the
cell phone and put it to her ear, then
smile when she heard a voice she recognized. She talked to several family members today.
We are going to have some difficult decisions to make in the
near future.
Aug 29, 2005
Today was not
a good day for us. She had a swallow test today which she failed. It was given
a second time after I left and she again failed. She is not taking anything and
has no desire to swallow. She actually spit out the ice cube offered to her.
She can't communicate although she tries to cooperate. She has limited motion
on the left side only and seems to be in a lot of pain which is unexplained.
She has intermittent periods of moaning and attempts at speaking and tears, all
of which are extremely painful for all to observe. The Neurologist feels that
there is likely no long-term possibility for her to talk due to the severity of
her stroke. The Speech pathologist thinks she may be able to swallow in a few
months, which would mean inserting a stomach tube to feed her. She is not
following commands although she still reaches out with her left hand to hold
hands. We have a family conference tomorrow to discuss what to do next and
whether it is time to give her some peace. We all feel that her wishes should
be respected which were clearly stated to each of us that she didn't want to be
in this situation. Our recent experience with Ken gave her the opportunity to
state that position over and over again. It is a wrenching decision to have to
make but I think it is in her best interests to let her go.
Aug 30, 2005
We had our conference today with the Medical staff at
Harborview Medical Center. It was a long and difficult discussion about
Dorothea's condition and likely long term outcomes. We also found out that the
reason she has been in so much pain is that she suffered a fractured hip when
she fell. Unfortunately, this was unrecognized until last night when they
finally x-rayed her hip at my request.
We have decided to let her go as I feel this is what she
wanted based on: her previous discussions with us, her experience with Ken, and
her living will. Bill, Nancy and Sunny agreed with this.
Unfortunately Rick doesn't agree with this decision and
argued strenuously to give her more time. I simply wanted to honor Mom's wishes
and give her a comfortable and familiar place for her last days. She has lots
of friends and family in the Spokane area where she will receive lots of loving
care during her last days. It will also give her friends and family the
opportunity to say goodbye and share their love. Bill is trying to make
arrangements to be her 24 hour companion and I am seeing what arrangements I
can make to be there as much as possible. Sunny and I will be driving to
Spokane on Friday 9/2 and staying until Monday 9/5.The hospital is trying to
arrange to transport her to Greystone Lane on Friday 9/2. They are helping us
arrange hospice care in her home. Our three children hope to be in Spokane the
week of Sept.9-17.
We will need everyone's support to get through these next
one to two weeks.
Aug 31, 2005
Plans are
now in place for moving Dorothea to her home on Friday. Sunny and I will be
driving to Spokane Thursday night in order to be at her house when Hospice
delivers their equipment. Dorothea will arrive sometime Friday afternoon. Rick
and Rita
are also coming on Friday and Bill on Saturday. Although
plans are not firm, we all are likely to stay until the end. She has been given
more pain medication because of her hip fracture and this makes her sleepy and
less responsive. Dorothea is likely to be less aware of her surroundings as the
days go by and thus we suggest that if you want to say your farewells, sooner
would be better. it will be a day by day situation. We want to celebrate her
life and remember the good times and wonderful and full life that she has had
Sep 5, 2005
Dorothea is at home with her family and friends. Hospice
staff train, coach and advise us. It is poignant and beautiful. It is also
stressful and heartbreaking as there are times in between meds when we need to
move her and this is uncomfortable, so today we are getting a new device to
make the meds more constantly effective.
Rick and Rita, our MD's have been guiding us. Bill and
Justin, her niece, Diana and her sister Donna are mainstays in her support.
Hospice responds within 15 minutes 24/7. What a help!
Her brother and family drove here yesterday. Her cousin flew
here today. A constant flow of friends visits to say good-bye and share
reminiscences. We are interviewing them on videotape.
The delicious food and encouragement from many neighbors and
friends and family are precious gifts. We are getting larger! We are hearing
from them that we are doing the right thing for this elegant, independent lady
by rejecting the nursing home alternative.
There is an air of celebration of Dorothea and family. Once
in awhile, Dorothea smiles as she recognizes a familiar voice.
This is incredibly sweet! Fr. Mark of Harborview, anointed
her before she left Seattle.
Just as her life gave us nerve to follow our dreams, so her
dying inspires.
Sep 6, 2005
Thank you so much, Mike.
This is quite unbelievable. We
feel for your family. I will pass this
message on to the Prime Timers. You
have a beautiful mother that has been an example not only to me but to so many
others. Her indomitable spirit is to be
admired. She has, in the years we have
known her, been such a fine friend and ski buddy to many. Her spirit will be missed on the slopes and
in many other venues, I am sure.
I hope to meet you some day.
Sincerely,
Wendy Aeschliman
Secretary,
Prime Timers
Sep 10, 2005
It is
Saturday, September 10th and Dorothea is still peaceful and sleeping. We had a
wonderful family get together last night with a Rosary at her Parish and the
Rednour cousins providing music. Several people provided recognition of
Dorothea's life and afterwards we gathered at her home and sang one of the
songs for her. There was food and lots of pictures taken of family. At some
point we will put together pictures and video to share. Currently we expect to
stay with her until she passes and then make arrangements for another social
gathering to celebrate her life.
Sep 11, 2005
Obituary Dorothea G.
Foulkes 1920-2005
3814 S. Greystone Lane
Spokane, WA
Dorothea Gwenith (Rednour) Foulkes, was fond of saying, “Que
sera, sera” (What will be, will be). She accepted what happened and, with
tireless energy, adapted to circumstances, always looking for opportunities.
She was an instant friend to each person she met.
Born July 2, 1920, to the late Roy and Lottie Rednour, she
grew up on a farm near Usk, Wash., left her family as a teen-ager and moved to
Newport where she worked for a family while attending school. A great believer
in education, she was
the first in her family to graduate from high school and
encouraged her children to pursue learning. All four children attended college
and two became doctors. Although she didn’t get her wish to become a classroom
teacher, she exhibited an extraordinary thirst for new experiences, whether at
home or abroad.
During World War II, she moved to Spokane, Wash., and found
work in the marketing department of the Spokesman-Review selling classified
ads. At the end of the war, she remarried and began raising her family in
Spokane. She also lived in Cusick, Wash., Chewelah, Wash., Lind, Wash., and
Othello, Wash. She returned to Spokane in 1994, where she lived until her
death.
Skiing, golf, dancing, reading, travel and the Spokane
Symphony gave her much pleasure. Many winter weekends andholidays were spent at
Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint, Idaho.
She participated in the lives of her children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren, infusing them with her zest for life, goals and
adventure. Her friends meant the world to her.
Dorothea spoke of how lucky she was to have such a great
life and she lived it to the fullest, always impressing people with her energy.
She naturally gravitated toward volunteer work, whether traveling from the
Foulkes Farm throughout the state promoting Expo `74; planting red, white and
blue flowers in Othello for the bicentennial; or beautifying the entrance to
her Birkdale neighborhood. The Othello Library and Harvard Park seniors
benefited from her generous spirit, as did the Spokane music community.
Dorothea died at her home in Spokane on Sept. 11, 2005,
surrounded by her family. She is survived by her former husband Wilbur A.
Jaehn, of Monrovia, Calif.; her sister
Donna L. Bordi, of Spokane, her brother Robert R. Rednour, of Usk; her children
and their spouses: Douglas Michael and Sunny Strong, of Edmonds, Wash.; William
D. Foulkes, of Marysville, Wash.,; Richard B. and Rita Foulkes, of Riverside,
Ill. and Nancy Ann and Craig McKinnon, of Kirkland, Wash.; nine grandchildren;
six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Her parents and former
husbands George
Strong and Kenny Foulkes preceded her in death.
If you wish to make a donation in her name, please send it
to: All Saints School, 3520 E. 18th Ave., Spokane, WA 99223 or to The Spokane
Symphony, (509) 326-3136.
A rosary was said in Dorothea’s honor on Friday, Sept. 9,
2005, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Spokane.
There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday, Sept.
17, 2005, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Manito Golf and Country Club,
5303 South Hatch Road, in Spokane.
Mudslide Takes out
the Red Cricket,
Mudslide
Rips Through Red Cricket Condos
Posted: Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 09:18:17 am PDT By KEITH
KINNAIRD
News editor
SANDPOINT -- A mudslide tore through the Red Cricket
condominium complex on Schweitzer Mountain on Wednesday.
There were no injuries, according to Bonner County Sheriff
Elaine Savage. Two people had been staying in the complex,
although neither was home when the hillside behind the
three-story complex broke loose at about 5:30 p.m.
"They were not in the building at the time and both
have been accounted for," Savage said.
The surge of mud, snow and power lines punched a hole
through the back of the complex and spewed onto Schweitzer Mountain Road. The
bottom level of the complex is made up of garages and Savage said eight of them
were destroyed.
Most of the damaged appeared to be confined to the ground
level, although there was some damage to the second floor. The slide seemed to
hit the building dead-center and the void created by the slide caused the roof
of the building to sag.
The sound of the hillside giving way was loud enough to be
heard inside the Selkirk Lodge in Schweitzer Mountain Resort's village.
"It sounded like a lightning strike or a log truck
tipping over," said Jennifer Fortune, a year-round Schweitzer resident.
"I looked out and I could see the boulders rolling down the hill and I
could see mud sliding."
The Red Cricket is located just below the mountain resort's
main parking area. It was the first condo complex on the mountain and some even
regard it as the first condo complex in Idaho.
Real estate listings say the Red Cricket was built in 1963,
the year Schweitzer Mountain Resort first opened to the public. But Sam
Wormington, who was the resort manager when it opened, said it was actually
built in 1964.
"They didn't start that until later, after the ski area
started," Wormington said.
Wormington said the building was designed by Spokane, Wash.,
architect Grant Groesbeck, who designed the resort's first guest lodge. Painted
on a wood sign on the chimney is a facsimile of Jiminy Cricket, perhaps best
known from the 1940 Walt
Disney film, "Pinocchio."
The cause of the mudslide was still being determined late
Wednesday, Savage said. Northern Lights crews were trying to restore power on
the mountain and damage to gas infrastructure was not immediately clear.
Bystanders who gathered near the scene speculated the slide
might have been triggered by excavation being done for a new housing project
being built almost directly above the Red Cricket. Savage said it's not known
if the Red Cricket will survive the direct hit it took.
"We'll leave that to the engineers and
contractors," she said.
May 19, 2006
There is something bizarre about the loss of the Crickett
within the same year as the loss of Dorothea and Ken. They bought their condo
the year it was built in 1963 and enjoyed over 40 years of skiing and family
entertainment there. I called it the end of an era when they almost sold it
last year and again when we sold it after their passing. It is truely the case
now with the passing of the Cricket. A follow up news story in the Spokane
newspaper suggests that it will not be salvageable. The fact that Mom had her
fatal stroke there and said that, when she went, she hoped it would be on the mountain, somehow makes this
a final closure on a lifetime.
A Day of Remembrance,
Sep 11, 2006
This is the 5th anniversary of the attack in New York,
Washington DC and Pennsylvania and many ceremonies are taking place today to
memorialize the victims of those events. It is also a day for our family to
take a moment of silence in honor of Dorothea, our mother, grandmother, aunt,
sister and friend since this is the first anniversary of her death. It is very
like her to pick a day that we will not be able to forget. I want to take the
occasion to thank everyone in the family as well as others who have given us so
much support in our moments of sorrow and have celebrated her life and all that
she has given to us.
Love, Mike
Mike Strong, Prez ,
Oct 30, 2006,
Cheers- Mike has been preparing to be president of this
blood bank association since the early days. He has networked himself into a
position where he'll have additional opportunities to improve practices. I'm
proud of him!
Sunny
Lauren Dorothea
Strong-Albers, Nov 5, 2006
Lauren was
born Thursday at 1818 and weighed in at 9 lbs and 11 Oz. both Mom and baby did
well and are home this Sunday.
Wow are you
big! We could not be happier to have you as part of the family Laruen! You are
so beautiful!
We can't wait to meet you in person!
Take good care of your beautiful Mom and your doting Dad.
Also go easy on those old people, your Granma and Grampa.
They have waited a long time for you! You are going to have a lot of fun with
them!
Your cousins can't wait to meet you!
All our love to you Lauren. WE ARE SO HAPPY!
Uncle Rick and aunt Rita
Sunny's Book, Apr 13,
2007
Children's Books: A Practical Guide to Selection By Phyllis
J. Van Orden and Sunny Strong 1-55570-584-7 . 2007 . 8.5 x 11 . 243 pp. Make
better book choices with more confidence! So many books. So little time. So
many needs. So little budget. If this describes your situation, here's a new
book to help you approach book selection confidently and strategically. If you
are new to the library environment, in charge of training new librarians or
paraprofessionals, or looking for new ideas in collection development, this
resource is a must-have. Phyllis Van Orden, a past president of both the
Association for Library Services to Children and the Association for Library
and Information Science Education, and Sunny Strong share their advice for: •
Establishing general criteria and following guidelines • Choosing diverse
material • Using selection tools effectively • Special selection criteria for
specific genres, including picture books, fiction, genre fiction, folk
literature, rhymes, and poetry • Special guidelines for selecting particular
subjects You ’ll learn how to: • Ask the right questions • Probe the
intellectual content of the subject • Examine the worth (quality, value, merit)
of a book • Verify the bottom line —is it worth the price?
Blood Center
Executive Vice President and COO to Retire, Jul 27, 2007
July 25, 2007
SEATTLE — D. Michael Strong, PhD,
Puget Sound Blood Center executive vice president, operations and COO, has
announced his intention to retire October 31, 2007—coinciding with the end of
his term as AABB president. The public
announcement follows succession planning by the Blood Center’s executive team
as Dr. Strong completes nearly two decades of Blood Center leadership.
“Dr. Strong is an extraordinary leader, whose vision and
commitment significantly contributed to the success of our organization during
his nearly 20-year career at the Puget Sound Blood Center,” says Dr. Richard B.
Counts, president and CEO, Puget Sound Blood Center. “He has made a remarkable contribution to
the growth and continuing momentum of our Blood Center and our industry. We owe
him a big debt of gratitude for his dedication and passion,” Dr. Counts
continued.
Dr. Strong joined Puget Sound Blood Center in 1988 to
establish the Northwest Tissue Center, now known as Northwest Tissue Services
at Puget Sound Blood Center. In its
nearly twenty years of operation, The Blood Center’s Northwest Tissue Services
has provided more than 100,000 allografts transplanted to patients throughout
the country and abroad, with 90 percent going to patients in the Northwest. In
addition, Tissue Services has trained tissue bankers from around the world,
establishing an international reputation in the process.
Following his success in launching the Blood Center’s
world-renowned Tissue Services, Dr. Strong was appointed director of
laboratories for the entire Blood Center in 1992, director of operations in
1994 and executive vice president of operations in 2000, before being named
chief operating officer in 2005.
His leadership and pioneering spirit have been honored twice
with lifetime achievement awards. In
2000 America’s Blood Centers presented Dr. Strong with the Thomas F. Zuck
Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the
implementation of nucleic acid testing used for detection of infectious disease
markers in the nation’s blood supply.
In 2003, he received a second lifetime achievement award, the George W.
Hyatt Memorial Award, from the American Association of Tissue Banks.
Dr. Strong is a graduate of Gonzaga University, Spokane,
Wash., and received his PhD from The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
He began his career in 1965 as the supervisor of the Blood Bank, Hematology and
Serology Departments in the Clinical Laboratory of the 1,600-bed Naval
Hospital, Philadelphia. During 15 years of research at the Naval Medical
Research Institute, he was involved in the establishment of the organ and bone
marrow transplantation units of the Army and Navy, histocompatibility, clinical
immunology and tissue banking programs at the Naval Medical Center, and the
initiation of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). He was a Professor in
the Department of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health
Sciences until his retirement from the Navy in 1985 to become vice president of
Research and Development of Genetic Systems Corp., a Seattle biotech
company. In addition to his current
position at the Blood Center he is also a research professor in the Department
of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and the Department of Surgery at the
University of Washington.
The Food and Drug Administration appointed Dr. Strong to its
Blood Products Advisory Committee (BPAC) in 2003 and he has served as a
reviewer of the research program of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and
Research (CBER) and the Transfusion Service of the NIH. He is recognized as one
of the world's leading experts in cell cryopreservation and tissue banking, and
has served on numerous boards and committees including the American Association
of Tissue Banks, which he assisted in founding in 1976, and the Northwest Organ
Procurement Agency. He is currently president of the AABB and has been
instrumental in establishing a U.S. Biovigilance Network in collaboration with
several government agencies including the CDC.
Following his retirement, Dr. Strong plans to continue part
time consulting with organizations he’s been involved with during his
forty-plus year career.
About Puget Sound Blood Center
Puget Sound Blood Center is an independent, community-based
regional resource recognized internationally for its research and medical and
blood and tissue services. Known as the leader in transfusion medicine, Puget
Sound Blood Center operates the world's largest transfusion service as well as
patient-focused research programs and specialized laboratory services in
support of transfusion and transplantation services. Patients with leukemia,
cancer, burns, hemophilia and traumatic injuries depend on the breakthrough
discoveries made by Blood Center scientists.
***********************************************************************
Jerry O'Melveny, Sep
12, 2008
Gerald
Richard O'Melveny Jr, born 11 November 1946, passed away on Sunday at 3:36 pm,
8 Sept 2008, at the Hospice Center in Spokane, WA. He had been on dialysis for
8 years and his quality of life had deteriorated to the extent that he made the
decision to bring his life to a close. His passing was very peaceful, in fact
the staff said it was the most peaceful they had ever seen (a photo is
attached). He died holding Sunny's hand as she sang to him. His sister Peggy
had spent all of the time there with him but had gone to make funeral
arrangements along with his former wife Maureen who was also constantly at this
side during his stay at Hospice. Peggy will be writing an obituary which will
be shared. She has looked after his affairs for many years which is greatly
appreciated by the family.
O’Melveny Jr, Gerald R. “Jerry” (Age 61) born November 11,
1946; passed away September 8, 2008. He
is survived by his sons: Robert “Rob” O’Melveny of Seattle, Brendan O’Melveny
of New York City; daughters: Shakti Heather O’Melveny of Missoula, MT, Erin O’Melveny Madden of Fairfax, IA,
Theresa O’Melveny of Melbourne, Australia; his children’s mother, Maureen
O’Melveny of Spokane; seven grandchildren: Tiffany Nelson, Allisa O’Melveny,
Matthew, Trent, Bowen, Lorant and Anaya Madden; sisters: Pattie O’Melveny Li of
Mililani Town, HI, Sunny O'Melveny Strong of Edmonds, WA, Diana O’Melveny
Keenan of Portland, OR, Margaret “Peggy” O’Melveny Branaman of Bainbridge
Island, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents: Gerald R. and Ann F.
O’Melveny and his son, Lorne O’Melveny.
Jerry was a lifetime resident of Spokane. He had a lifelong love of drama, art and
writing and was an advocate for the mentally ill. He was a lay Franciscan (Order of St.
Francis). He attended Gonzaga Prep and
graduated from Gonzaga University. A
Vigil Service will be held Monday, September 29, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral
home. Mass of Christian Burial will be
celebrated Tuesday, September 30, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church,
4515 N. Alberta. Interment will follow
at Holy Cross Cemetery, 7200 N. Wall St.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, PO Box 1453,
Spokane WA 99210-1453.
