Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A Reminder to Live Well

I started this 2 months ago, but haven't taken the time to finish it until now.

My Boo (grandfather) unexpected passed away on Feb 15 and I've been reminded on how precious the little moments in life are. We've been spending extra time as a family and not worrying as much about the tidiness of our house. We've had extra family in town and have been trying to figure out what the future looks like.


Boo slipped and hit his head in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Feb 7 causing a severe head injury. He and Nana were set to fly home the next day after waiting for some official forms from the Mexican government. We had a weekend full of celebration planned (Adrian's birthday) and could not wait to see them. My mom flew down as soon as she heard that he fell and together with my Nana, they made a plan to fly him back to Colorado, via air ambulance. We are incredibly fortunate to have friends in the medical field, who assisted in getting everything set-up, reviewed CAT scans, and provided the insight needed. Once back in Colorado, they took him off the sedatives to determine what the damage was - and it wasn't good. Within 18 hours, they told us that the expected level of brain activity wasn't there and he was brain-dead. Nana made the hardest decision in the world to take him off life-support, but that was his wish - he didn't want to be a vegetable. So on Friday, Feb 15th life support was removed and my Boo passed away shortly after. We were by his side the whole time, loving him to the end.

My Nana and Boo spent 56 years together and were truly each other's best friend. I had the amazing opportunity to grow up in the same town as them and spent every holiday and special event with them. I can't remember any special event that they were not apart of. I have the unique opportunity to know them not just as grandparents, but as great friends. Richard and I have sought them out for opinions and advice, gone to dinner with them just to enjoy their company, and spent many hours playing cards together. We treasured any time that we got to spend with them and the time that Adrian got to spend with Boo. 

My Nana and Boo did marriage right. I'm sure they had their troubles, but they deeply cared for one another. We would see them occasionally pick at each other, but it was always in a playful, loving manner. In the last few moments of Boo's life, I witnessed my Nana's heart break. He was taken off life support and once his heart rate was 0, my Nana leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Boo's heart rate jumped-up again, for just a few moments, but I think he knew that the love of his life was talking to him.

My Boo was a trouble-maker and the life of the party. He was a music teacher for many years and retired in the early 90's. He played in and with many bands and even some big name musicians. He instilled a love a music in his daughters and grand-children. Below is his obituary (edited for privacy):



Charles Ray D was born February 25, 1935 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to the late Edward C. and Sarah (Andrew) D. The nickname "Toby" was given to him as a child by his beloved uncle, Walt Andrew, and it served him well all his life. 


Toby attended Ponca City schools where his love of music was nurtured. He played his first dance job while in high school. Attending Phillips University in Enid, OK, he continued his study of and performance of music, graduating in 1957.



Toby taught music at all levels from Kindergarten through 12 during his career, starting in Oklahoma and Kansas. The family relocated to Broomfield, Colorado in 1964, where he was employed by Adams County School District #14 until his retirement in 1990. Throughout his teaching career he nurtured and inspired a love for music to countless students, including his own daughters.



In Denver, he discovered a large fraternity of professional musicians who became wonderful friends and remained very important to him throughout his life. Toby played in jazz combos and large dance bands on trombone and bass. He was an excellent singer of big band ballads and loved doing it. Classical music was also a favorite and a huge highlight for him was attending a live Pavarotti concert. 



After retiring, Toby enjoyed traveling with his wife, Marilyn, and spent winter months with a community of close friends in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 



Toby passed away Friday, February 15, 2013, in Boulder after suffering a severe head injury. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marilyn; three daughters: Joy C of NV; Joni B of CO; and Kimberly M of OR; son-in-law Reginald M; seven grandchildren: Zachary C of Germany; Nathan and Caitlin C of NV; Rachel M of OR; R.J. M of CA; Sara B and Grace D of CO; three great grandsons; brother, Donald D of Ponca City, OK; aunt Wilma A; a multitude of nieces and nephews; and his treasured Yorkie, Mikey. He also leaves to mourn a multitude of neighbors and dear friends, both here and in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.



Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 22, at 10:00 am at the Christian Church of Broomfield, 12601 Sheridan Blvd, Broomfield CO. A Celebration of Life will be held following the services at The Chateaux at Fox Meadows, 13600 Xavier Lane, Broomfield, CO, from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm. 



In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests any memorial contributions be directed to the Boulder Humane Society or the Salvation Army.

No comments: