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Marilyn did not want chemotherapy; radiation OK, but she felt that the quality of life with chemotherapy was not for her. She knew that her time was limited and she wanted to go back to her new house at 1141 Southlake Court that she loved so much. We came back to Venice to take radiation treatments to try to prolong her life. Our three daughters took turns coming down to spend quality time with their mother and to help us through this terrible time. Marilyn never complained one iota; instead she managed to keep up her tremendous sense of humor. She told he daughters “When I go, you girls continue to keep coming to Florida, and don't worry about money. Your Dad has nothing but money.” As the end was nearing, Marilyn wanted all of her family, all daughters, all sons-in-laws and all grand children to gather together at this our new home at 1141 Southlake Court. They all came down. When they were ready to go back home she called each one into her bedroom, individually, and said good-bye to them. It was a tear-stained farewell.
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On Saint Patrick's Day, 1996 Marilyn was admitted to the Hospice House at The Plantation Country Club. Being admitted to a Hospice House is a sign that the end is very near. I couldn't cope with this. I just knew she would recover from this miserable illness. Marilyn knew better. Marilyn was getting weaker and weaker. On a Friday morning, when I came to be with Marilyn, she was perky. She was very alert, gave me a big kiss and we talked. I knew she was getting better. The nurse came in to give her a bath. and asked “Mrs. Johnson, where did you live before you came to Venice?” Marilyn replied “Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.” The nurse then asked “What did you do in Lake Geneva?” Marilyn replied “ Oh, I have a mail-order company that sells equipment and supplies to the food processing industry, and my husband works for me. He is usually out in the back packing and shipping orders and loading and unloading trucks.” I was in the room while all of this was going on, and when the nurse left Marilyn said “ How did you like my story?” I loved it!!!
That afternoon she started going downhill fast. My oldest daughter Linda was with me. Saturday we sent for Nancy, and Carol. Sunday, exactly one week after she had been admitted to the Hospice house, Marilyn closed her eyes for the last time. The date was March 24, 1996 and the time was 7:05 P.M. The angels came and carried Marilyn up to heaven where she now resides with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I look to my three daughters for guidance in just about every thing I do. Their advice was: don't do anything too rash, just sit and let things settle down. Good advice. I went to support groups. I listened to people who had been down this road and I think that now some three-and-one-half-years later I am beginning to cope. My daughters have been terrific. In the past few months, I have begun to make some changes. I was very lonely at 1141 Southlake Court at Pinebrook; a three-bedroom-plus house was far too large for me. I sold it and bought another “trailer” at 920 Freeport West, next door to where Marilyn and I used to live. I sold my home at 1630 Evergreen Lane in Lake Geneva and purchased a condominium in Williams Bay Wisconsin, the village in which my parents had built a summer home back in 1926.
This was all done with the blessing and under the supervision of my three daughters. I don't know exactly how I feel these days. I play golf, I play bridge, I have many friends. I have the love of my family, but there is a tremendous void that I'm sure will never be filled.
I miss my Marilyn, I miss my Tootio, I miss my Marzy. April, 1999
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