The Adventures of Krystal Kid: Penny

Monday, May 05, 2008

Penny

For years when I went to the Macon Centreplex for a hockey game, I always got there an hour before game time. I would enter the arena with a mighty and unmistakable "WHOOP!" which was usually greeted by loud laughter from Penny who ushered the games for years and was often the only other person there that early. Penny loved hockey as much as I do.

Penny and Andrew Rodgers, Feb, 2000I got to see Penny Friday afternoon for about 30 minutes.
I put on my Phil Valk Whoopee Jersey and walked into the Medical Center. I have had one person tell me that since Penny was in a coma she wouldn't be able to see that I was wearing "Valkie's" jersey. Tell me that again and I'll punch you in the mouth. Trust me, Penny knows.
Carol Ann greeted me and walked me back to Penny's room. I managed to stand there for about 17 seconds before I had to step outside and break down for a minute. I don't deal well with hospitals. Period.
Penny died Sunday morning.
Molly, one of Penny's (and my) favorite student worker, forwarded me this email this afternoon:

I am glad you got to see Penny as well. I know you are not supposed to do this over email, and I apologize, but I have never had to do this. Penny passed away Sunday morning. Dr. Digh called me yesterday to tell me. I am forwarding you an email her sister-in-law sent me on Saturday.

Molly,
I wanted to e-mail you because I know you were very important to Penny. I have some really bad news...Penny has had more strokes and they said it is beyond repair. They are going to turn off the machines tomorrow (Sunday) that were sustaining her to this point. They have put up signs that only immediate family can see her now at the NICU until the end. We will keep everyone up to date on the plans that are being made.
I really wanted you to know how much she appreciated you and cared for you.
Thank you so much for everything you did for her.
Please let me know if you need anything.
Be blessed...

thankfully i only had one final exam to give at 3pm. I have found that I am an emotional shark. As long as I keep moving and talking, the AngerFearSadnessDepressionFrustrationPain doesn't have a chance to sink its claws in.
But now I am home. I am quiet. and I am still. All of my emotions are sitting just outside in the hallway waiting for me to join them. And it is finally time.

Visitation - Tuesday, May 6th 5-7 pm at Macon Memorial Park on Mercer Univ. Dr.
Funeral - Wednesday, May 7th 3 pm at Macon Memorial Park
Donations in lieu of flowers to:
The Penny Cato Memorial Fund
1670 Rivoli Drive
Macon, GA 31210
Penny J. Cato, Administrative Secretary in the Computer Science Department of the College of Liberal Arts died Sunday after a brief illness. She was a member of our Mercer family for over 15 years and was loved by the faculty and students she served.
She was a giver known for thinking and doing for others before she thought of herself. She walked among us with joy and with a firm spiritual foundation. She deeply loved her children, Amber and Ricky, and was a committed friend. She loved the South, The Braves, hockey, John Wayne, country music, and butterflies.
If you go and visit the offices in the Computer Science building, you catch a glimpse of the person Penny was - sassy, spiritual, opinionated, loving. Hugs were her signature. Several of her faculty have called her the Mother Hen. She pushed to get her work done, always doing so with grace.
One of the quotes on the bulletin board says, 'Laughter is God's Sunshine, Take time to Laugh for it is the music of the soul.' With her passing, some of our joy is gone. But, as she would say, you have work to do and smile! Love, Penny

Labels: Hockey, Macon, Mercer