Monday, September 9, 2019

4.5 Months - Then there were 5.

When I last wrote in mid-April, the greatest fear I noted, was that Ev's acute myeloid leukemia could come roaring back and take him from us.  The call came Friday, May 24, "Come as soon as you can, Ev is in critical condition, back in the hospital."  Within 4 hours, I was in the air to Baltimore.  Sister-in-law, Jenni met me and we were off to Johns Hopkins.  Ev's eyes opened briefly, seeming to acknowledge my presence, we sat by his side for a day and a half, and he left us on Sunday, May 26 at 1 pm.  The first of the Morse siblings was gone!


Everett Abraham Morse III, of Baltimore MD, passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital, on Sunday, May 26, 2019, after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

DOB: January 4, 1951

Place of Birth: Hanover, Massachusetts, son of the late Everett A. Morse and Eleanor B. (Murphy) Morse.
Graduate of Hanover High School, Hanover, MA 1968.
A graduate of The Thompson School at the University of New Hampshire,
and The University of Maryland at College Park in Horticulture.
Veteran USAF 1971-1974

Husband of Jennifer B. Morse, father of Martin E. Morse
of Baltimore

Besides his wife and son, Everett is survived by sisters and brothers: Marcia L. Morse of Sagamore
Beach, MA, Susan K. Wienczkowski, of Lafayette, CO, Margaret E. Anglin, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Martin I. Morse (Karen)of Savoy, IL, Eleanor M. Haskell (Stephen) of Poulsbo, WA, and Samuel A. Morse (Trish) of Cohasset, MA ,and, many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
Everett worked in the building supply business most recently with Colonial Sash and Door in Frederick, MD, and Aeroseal Corp in Jessup, MD

An avid lover of, hiking, and nature, Everett was often found on the trails of Patapsco State Park with his son, Martin and his beloved dog, Tiger. He took immense pleasure in baking and cooking for his family and friends, and fostered many a treasured friendship with gifts of his delicious breads, soups and cookies, pies, etc. Gardening, woodworking, and reading, as well as, travel to many beautiful places throughout the US, brought Everett great pleasure.

Ev's frequent trips “home” to MA and Cape Cod to visit family, meant walks on Lighthouse Beach in Chatham, and along the Cape Cod Canal, and making beautiful seafood meals with sisters and brothers, leaving them with wonderful memories and stories told with his wickedly- wry sense of humor.

On Thursday, June 6, we held a memorial gathering, and I stayed to be with Jenni and son, Martin, until June 12.  It was a terrible feeling to leave them, but home I came to begin healing, and pick up my life.
During my time in Baltimore, the family learned that my sister, Margaret, had fallen and was in hospital with a fractured pelvis.  Subsequently, she moved to a rehab facility and was slowly and painfully, making a recovery, with her dear daughters by her side. While undergoing rehab for her injury, it was decided that Margaret should have an MRI to explore why she fell, and to look at progress of her MS.  After an interminable wait for results, on Friday June 14, I received a phone call to say the MRI had revealed that Margaret had Stage 4 lung cancer which had metastasized to her brain, liver and spine.  This explained why the frequent falls were occurring, but it also presented a very grave diagnosis.  Our courageous, beautiful sister, had very little time left.  As she did everything in her life, Margaret, faced this all with grace and dignity, with her daughters and son around her.  We quickly pulled together a reunion of the siblings and spent some very meaningful time with Margaret in early August.  There was our usual strong love, laughter, sharing of stories, and poignant moments threaded through this precious time, to sustain us through this painful time of loss.. Our youngest brother, Sam, and his wife, Trish, were able to visit, as well.


Follow the link below to the beautiful obituary written by Margaret's lovely daughters Ellie and Emmy

Margaret Obituary

 Love prevails here, even as it feels like deep grief, we move forward, carrying all that Ev and Margaret stood for in our hearts always. Brothers, Marty and Sam, and sisters Susan (Bebo) and Eleanor. Our close contact throughout all this time, has saved me, over and over. I love you all so much.  Many cousins, friends and neighbors have been so very kind and thoughtful, too.

I am deeply grateful for the help of my immediate family,  and the generosity extended to me, to make it possible to be with Ev and family, and especially to my brother-in-law, Stephen Haskell and sister-in-law, Trish.  Your immediate help, love and caring sustained me in so many ways.



   

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