The long journey with Curtiss began about 20 years ago with his failing kidneys; something that had taken most men in his family in their 40's.
Sandy's sister gave him one of hers, but after a year it was rejected.
In about two years he was given another one that worked well -- but he developed a 'spot' on a lung - they removed part of that last summer, and found cancer in the one kidney.
He has gradually declined since, and to make matters unbearable, he also had a deteriorating spine for many years -- so much pain at the end from that, he was totally knocked out with heavy morphine doses.
It is God's grace that Pat was able to bear all this for as long as she did before her physical breakdown.
They were high school sweethearts, married well over 50 years.
After so much we have to believe that Curtiss is in a better place now. Pat can take comfort in knowing that she was with him in health and in sickness. She will be healed now and her memories will be good ones.