From Leanne's mom:
Leanne Kathryn Johnson
Leanne Kathryn Johnson, age 47, passed away on Friday August 24, 2007. Leanne was born and raised in the Wheaton and Carol Stream area, but currently resided in Byron, Illinois. She is survived by her husband Dayton B. Smith II (and their baby, Geronimo); his children Dayton III and Michael Smith, and Shawn Winger; her mother Ann Johnson of Carol Stream, preceded in death by father Lee; her sister Kristy Harkness (Chuck Hurtienne) of Tomahawk, WI, and her nieces and nephew: Shanan, Scott, and Shawnee. Leanne enriched the lives of many through her life’s passion of storytelling, and is also survived by a large family of storytellers. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday at Leonard Memorial Home, Ltd., 565 Duane St., Glen Ellyn, memorial visitation 5-8 pm, with the celebration at 7 pm. Leanne’s life and memory can best be captured in her own words and stories on her website: www.storytelling.org/Leanne or www.myspace.com/leannetells. She was currently on the board of Northlands Storytelling Network and donations or a memorial can be sent to:
P.O. Box 1055 McHenry, IL 60051-1055.
sbb
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Remembering Leanne - Part 2
"I did the best I could and I had fun at it." These are Leanne's words, and how true they are.
We will be remembering Leanne on Tuesday, August 28, 5 - 8 pm with a service at 7 pm.
We will be remembering Leanne on Tuesday, August 28, 5 - 8 pm with a service at 7 pm.
Leonard Memorial Home
565 Duane
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Memorials may be made to
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Memorials may be made to
Northlands Storytelling Network
PO Box 1055
McHenry, IL 60051-1055
donna
donna
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Remembering Leanne
Leanne's memorial service will be Tuesday evening, exact time TBA (4 - 7 or 5 - 8 pm).
Leonard Memorial Home
565 Duane
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Leanne's wish is for memorials to go to Northlands Storytelling Network, PO Box 1055, McHenry, IL 60051-1055.
If you bring flowers, she asks that you take them home with you.
I am collecting photos of Leanne with her storytelling friends. I would like to show her family how large her storytelling family is. If you have any please email them to me at donnatell@comcast.net.
When I have a confirmed time I post that as well.
Donna
Leonard Memorial Home
565 Duane
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Leanne's wish is for memorials to go to Northlands Storytelling Network, PO Box 1055, McHenry, IL 60051-1055.
If you bring flowers, she asks that you take them home with you.
I am collecting photos of Leanne with her storytelling friends. I would like to show her family how large her storytelling family is. If you have any please email them to me at donnatell@comcast.net.
When I have a confirmed time I post that as well.
Donna
Friday, August 24, 2007
With great sorrow
It is with great sorrow that I tell all of you that our dear friend, Leanne, passed away tonight at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, hospital.
She died in great peace with her family surrounding her.
As details for services are revealed, I will share them with you.
I'm so sorry.
sbb
She died in great peace with her family surrounding her.
As details for services are revealed, I will share them with you.
I'm so sorry.
sbb
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Dayton brought Leanne's promotional poster to the hospital and put it at the foot of her bed. She looks beautiful in that poster, and happy. He wants the staff to know his warm, funny, witty wife.
Dayton is also passing out Leanne's bookmark to all of the staff that keeps coming into the room. Leanne would be so proud of him. :)
Geronimo, their dog, is staying in the hotel now too. Dayton goes out to walk him from time to time. When Dayton returns to the hospital from those walks, Leanne can surely smell Geronimo on him.
Leanne's mom had Irish music in the car. Now the room is filled with Leanne's favorite sounds.
These acts of love surround Leanne as we wait -- wait for the miracle that must come.
sbb
Dayton is also passing out Leanne's bookmark to all of the staff that keeps coming into the room. Leanne would be so proud of him. :)
Geronimo, their dog, is staying in the hotel now too. Dayton goes out to walk him from time to time. When Dayton returns to the hospital from those walks, Leanne can surely smell Geronimo on him.
Leanne's mom had Irish music in the car. Now the room is filled with Leanne's favorite sounds.
These acts of love surround Leanne as we wait -- wait for the miracle that must come.
sbb
waiting for a miracle
Thursday, 8/23
If a miracle is going to happen, it needs to happen now.
Leanne has been moved to ICU. Her husband and mother, sister and nieces pray for the chance to love Leanne for years more to come.
If a miracle is going to happen, it needs to happen now.
SBB
If a miracle is going to happen, it needs to happen now.
Leanne has been moved to ICU. Her husband and mother, sister and nieces pray for the chance to love Leanne for years more to come.
If a miracle is going to happen, it needs to happen now.
SBB
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
a message from Leanne
A message from Leanne:
8/22/07
Hi Everyone,
The battle has begun.
On Sunday 8/19, Leanne’s husband decided she could literally survive no more pain, no more waiting for the next doctor’s appointment. Dayton took her to the emergency room of the UW-Madison hospital and told them they would take care of Leanne or take him away in handcuffs. No more waiting, no more being told this was all ‘normal’ and that they should be patient.
Leanne was admitted to the hospital with double pneumonia, a fever, high calcium levels, low oxygen levels, and suddenly everyone was in high gear.
The good news: Leanne and Dayton feel that they are receiving the very best care. Leanne’s primary doctor is the assistant director of the oncology dept.
The worrisome news: The cancer appears not to be confined to the uterus.
So now more tests, more waiting for results, more worry. The battle has begun.
They’ll treat the lungs first – this is very serious. They’d like to do one more test to confirm lung cancer, but for now they are 95% certain that it is in the lungs. They’ll worry about the hysterectomy later. A bone scan late in the afternoon makes the doctors think the cancer has not spread to the bone. They’ll worry about why her calcium levels are so high later.
Yesterday, Leanne’s ‘sistahs’ took a road trip to Madison. We brought Ann, Leanne’s mom, along. Our ‘brother’ Don showed up at the hospital too.
Mother and daughter were able to hug and hold one another. Dayton was able to share this heavy load, even if for only a few hours. In the midst of so much worry and pain we still had some fun. We got to see Leanne smile and joke a bit and talk just a little – which brought new tears, of joy this time, to Dayton.
Leanne is pretty weak, is on an oxygen mask to help keep her levels high. When her levels drop, a machine next to her bed starts beeping, reminding her to breathe.She can talk thru the mask, which makes her happy.
She is on a pain medication that keeps the debilitating bouts of pain from the uterine polyp at bay.
Her spirits are good. She’s thinking of all of you and wanted me to keep you up to date. I’ll post to the blog from time to time to keep you informed.
No one has said how long she’ll be in the hospital.
There’s a lot of love and hope in her room. The doctors have stressed the seriousness, but have rolled up their sleeves to fight this. Dayton is her constant guardian; he has made his presence known in the hospital and will hold folks accountable from now on. Ann joins him, bringing a mother’s love and care to her bedside.
What can you do?
If you pray, continue to do that – you can even step it up a notch.
If you send healing wishes Leanne’s way, continue to do that – you can even step it up a notch.
Continue to send emails, cards, letters – Leanne won’t answer right away, but Dayton will make sure she is getting your messages. Hearing from all of you is so good for her spirits.
When she gets home, we’ll worry about making sure she and Dayton are well fed.
Leanne does not want any plants sent to her – she says she doesn’t want a single reminder of this when she is well.
If you’re inclined, fresh flowers make her happy although right now there is a large bouquet of red roses from Dayton on the bedside table and that is all there is room for.
News this morning: Leanne is being moved to ICU. Her oxygen levels keep dropping. If they can’t get them up soon, they’ll have to tube her and she’ll be unable to talk for a bit of time.
Pray faster, everyone
Sue
8/22/07
Hi Everyone,
The battle has begun.
On Sunday 8/19, Leanne’s husband decided she could literally survive no more pain, no more waiting for the next doctor’s appointment. Dayton took her to the emergency room of the UW-Madison hospital and told them they would take care of Leanne or take him away in handcuffs. No more waiting, no more being told this was all ‘normal’ and that they should be patient.
Leanne was admitted to the hospital with double pneumonia, a fever, high calcium levels, low oxygen levels, and suddenly everyone was in high gear.
The good news: Leanne and Dayton feel that they are receiving the very best care. Leanne’s primary doctor is the assistant director of the oncology dept.
The worrisome news: The cancer appears not to be confined to the uterus.
So now more tests, more waiting for results, more worry. The battle has begun.
They’ll treat the lungs first – this is very serious. They’d like to do one more test to confirm lung cancer, but for now they are 95% certain that it is in the lungs. They’ll worry about the hysterectomy later. A bone scan late in the afternoon makes the doctors think the cancer has not spread to the bone. They’ll worry about why her calcium levels are so high later.
Yesterday, Leanne’s ‘sistahs’ took a road trip to Madison. We brought Ann, Leanne’s mom, along. Our ‘brother’ Don showed up at the hospital too.
Mother and daughter were able to hug and hold one another. Dayton was able to share this heavy load, even if for only a few hours. In the midst of so much worry and pain we still had some fun. We got to see Leanne smile and joke a bit and talk just a little – which brought new tears, of joy this time, to Dayton.
Leanne is pretty weak, is on an oxygen mask to help keep her levels high. When her levels drop, a machine next to her bed starts beeping, reminding her to breathe.She can talk thru the mask, which makes her happy.
She is on a pain medication that keeps the debilitating bouts of pain from the uterine polyp at bay.
Her spirits are good. She’s thinking of all of you and wanted me to keep you up to date. I’ll post to the blog from time to time to keep you informed.
No one has said how long she’ll be in the hospital.
There’s a lot of love and hope in her room. The doctors have stressed the seriousness, but have rolled up their sleeves to fight this. Dayton is her constant guardian; he has made his presence known in the hospital and will hold folks accountable from now on. Ann joins him, bringing a mother’s love and care to her bedside.
What can you do?
If you pray, continue to do that – you can even step it up a notch.
If you send healing wishes Leanne’s way, continue to do that – you can even step it up a notch.
Continue to send emails, cards, letters – Leanne won’t answer right away, but Dayton will make sure she is getting your messages. Hearing from all of you is so good for her spirits.
When she gets home, we’ll worry about making sure she and Dayton are well fed.
Leanne does not want any plants sent to her – she says she doesn’t want a single reminder of this when she is well.
If you’re inclined, fresh flowers make her happy although right now there is a large bouquet of red roses from Dayton on the bedside table and that is all there is room for.
News this morning: Leanne is being moved to ICU. Her oxygen levels keep dropping. If they can’t get them up soon, they’ll have to tube her and she’ll be unable to talk for a bit of time.
Pray faster, everyone
Sue
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