Obituary
Joan Barbara Gold of Marshfield, MA died gracefully and peacefully Friday September 14 in the loving embrace of family at the Mary McCarthy Hospice House in Sandwich, MA at the age of 65.
A medical professional by training, Ms. Gold captained her 10-year fight with metastatic breast cancer, partnering with the finest medical doctors and facilities in Massachusetts and relegating the disease to annoyance status for much of the decade of her survivorship.
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Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The website is almost ready to launch. Joan has had a mixed day here in the Mary McCarthy Center in Sandwich. It is a lovely facility. She woke up this morning and feasted on Dunkin' Donuts tater tots with ketchup. Not necessarily the old marathoner protocol we remember. This was followed by a long nap and then what she asked for yesterday...A SUSHI party. Rachel, Richard, Joe and Joan and a lot of rolls and sashimi in the cafeteria. Lots of pleasurable noises and a lot of ginger and seaweed salad. Low to no pain. And occasional good conversation. Nothing wrong with her sense of humor. The monsoons have been carrying on all day with occasional thunder and lightning. All for now.
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Thursday, September 6, 2012
A lot of energy in the morning after a restless night. Morning visit from Ellen. Yea. Late morning sleep and then a bit rambunctious in the afternoon and evening.Walking around the deck. Ravenous periodically. Funny random thoughts. That's our Joan.
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Friday, September 7, 2012
Joan is full of energy in the early a.m. hostessing away. She demanded the pen: Here's her personal update...."I currently love the company of family and friends down here in Sandwich, MA. I am hoping this is where I truly say goodbye and fade into wonderland. So far this experience has been gorgeous! I have never been in a more beautiful room then I have been in here. I am so in love with my family and visitors who have come at the center." Late breaking news, a late lunch run across the bridge....salad topped with pan fried fresh scallops from Buzzrd's Bay. MMMMM. That demands a nap.
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Saturday, September 8, 2012
A similar night with lovely step daughter Cindy. The girls partied at midnight with the rest of the pan seared scallops and salad and then a night of ups and downs and intermittent conversation. Wonderful Peggy Marino spent a peaceful morning with Joan topped by of course.....crabcakes, blackberry pie with whipped cream and baked beans. As Joan aptly noted..."I love this stuff that i can't stand." Her appetite is strong and she has mischief in her eye.. But the pie put her to sleep. Joe is holding down the fort, book in hand and US Open in the background. She grateflully received loving hugs from Aunt Lily and Uncle Nick; neighbor Darlene, Eleanor and Marion from Newton. Love back to all of them. She loves to have your messages read to her. Without exception the staff here is caring and professional. All are Joan's new friends. How about that?
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Sunday, September 9, 2012
Well Joan was a busy bee last night. Peaking in closets, getting eye drops, telling tall tales, watching creatures in the room. But not upbeat enough for a scallop roll. Maybe later today if Joe doesn't get to it first. This morning was festive. Eleanor, Tricia, Doris, Jamie, and Courtney came by for a visit along with Cindy and young Matt and of course magically lots of bagels, donuts, and other things showed up. But the winner is.....Cindy brought more Dunkin' Donuts tater tots with ketchup. They didn't last long. Ready for a nap...hold the nap....Otis the golden, Susan and Marcie are in the house. See the last photo update. Busy busy busy.
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Monday, September 10, 2012
11 a.m. A quiet, peaceful night after a day of hard entertaining. Ahhhh. Slept like a baby.....sort of. Had a shower to end a wonderful day....icing on the cake. This morning is slow and drowsy except for breakfast. We walked to the cafeteria and hung out with Kathy the chef. The doc tells us protein is key to longeviity, so we ate all our scrambled eggs today. Joe is buying the protein drinks now. Sleeping again now. A touch of atavan maybe still in the system, or maybe recovery mode. The sun is shining, it's a beautiful day out the window, with just the slightest tinge of fall in the air. The door is open and Joan is sleeping in the fresh outside air.
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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Dateline Sandwich Noon: Yesterday turned into a very quiet sleeping day. Deep dreams in the afternoon and a bit of activity over dinner. Today is more of the same. Up for a bit this a.m. for eggs and some sweet bread. But mostly slumber. Unclear if this is disease progression, meds, or too much weekend partying.Janet Gibson watched over last night - another one of Joan's army of devoted, caring friends. Maryann Hardiman will be in for the next two nights and then Alice is in for a spell. Julia arrives today from Omaha. Lunch will not cause a rally today - cornbeef and cabbage. Many of us would snooze thru that too.Joe will have to let us know how that sits. Keep sending your pics and love. All for now.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Dateline Sandwich: A quiet day so far. A touch of food, A little bit more confusion, lots of sleep. Yesterday they drained fluid off her right lung. Hoping we're playing catch up after a full weekend. Thank you Maryann for looking after her last nght and tonight. Julia visits today. Alice comes in on Thursday. Airmail some love. All for now.
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Thursday, September 13, 2012
Sept 13 Late: Things are turning down. Joan is sleeping much more, is restless and a bit agitated. Alice and Susan are on the night shift after Joe and Julia spent the day. Her liver is not processing nearly as well and this causes some of the confusion. Physically she is weaker. Her meds are being increased. Send your positive thoughts and love.
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Friday, September 14, 2012
Sandwich Sept 14 early: Time is getting shorter. Our beautiful Joan is medicated pretty fully around the clock to reduce agitation. She is not ambulatory. Signs of organs beginning to shut down are present.The medication is providing a good carpet ride. Alice and Susan spent the night rubbing her arm and keeping her comfortable. Keep her in your thoughts the next 48 hours. Joe too.
Joan died today a little past noon. She exited peacefully with Joe and Julia at bedside. She died where she wanted. She died when she wanted. She died the way she wanted, gently and in the loving embrace of those who love her.
Elsewhere on the site you will find her obituary shortly. We will keep the site up and running to field your loving messages, and to advise of the coming celebration of life which has been carefully orchestrated by our wonderful Joan. Keep Joe and our extended families in your thoughts and prayers. She would tell you she had a great run. Your faithful correspondent, Richard
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Sunday, September 16, 2012
Sunday Sept 16: Day 2. Ever so kind letters and emails. The light has gone out, but the glow will continue for a long time. Details on the celebration to come in the next week or so. Thanks to all who send their love in messages and pictures. No need to stop. What a community. Thank you from all the extended Golds and Weinmans.
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Monday, September 17, 2012
Day 3. New photos and more messages. Thank you! Ice cream update to come.
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Day 4: Thank you for all the kind messages. What wonderful news that Joan has been at work behind the scenes and Jack has a new, loving home. Thank you Treasa for sharing that great news. We hope to have a date and time soon for the Sweet Celebration of Life. Stay connected.
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Thursday, September 20, 2012
Sept 20 Thursday: I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Joan has selected some special flavors, spent quite a bit of time on the toppings and imported the finest whipped cream. Stay tuned - we're working on the SWEET celebration of life. And don't forget the tater tots. Strictest of instructions. Warm tater tots. How can you have any celebration without tater tots? More to come. Thanks for your wonderful messages and pictures. It tells a remarkable story.
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Saturday, September 22, 2012
Saturday Sept 22: We all miss our Joan, even some who didn't know her. Notes and cards from the obituary are amazing. Lots of people are sorry they missed getting to know her. We are tentatively leaning toward a very SWEET CELEBRATION of Joan's life on Nov. 11. More to come when we finalize a date. Thanks for all your kind notes and photos. It's comforting to see them.
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Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday Sept 26: We're having a party. To celebrate Joan. It will be sweet. It's her idea and design. That means really sweet, with no room left for protein. November 11 from 1-4 p.m. at the Barbara McInnis House, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless. More details to follow, but for now save the date. And leave lots of room for dessert. Lots of room. Stay tuned. We may ask you to RVSP via email after a bit.
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Friday, September 28, 2012
Friday September 28: We are just about there on the sweet celebration. It will be 1-4 p.m. on Sunday November 11 at the Barbara McInnis House, Boston Heathcare for the Homeless. Discounted parking at $5 is available at the Hampton Inn across the street. More details to follow. If you think you will be coming (we hope so) please let Evelyn Friel know via email at evreliv@aol.com. Icecream, toppings, whipped cream and tater tots. Just as Joan envisioned it. See you then.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
October 2: Quite a legacy. What lovely thoughts and messages.
Hope we see you at the sweet celebration. It will be 1-4 p.m. on Sunday November 11 at the Barbara McInnis House, Boston Heathcare for the Homeless. Discounted parking at $5 is available at the Hampton Inn across the street.
If you think you will be coming (we hope so) please let Evelyn Friel know via email at evreliv@aol.com if you haven't received an email from someone at BHCHP. Icecream, toppings, whipped cream and tater tots. Just as Joan envisioned it.
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Saturday, October 27, 2012
Oct 27 Richmond, VA: It's Brian and Megan's wedding. We're missing Joan, but she's here in spirit. See you all in a couple of weeks. Get ready for ice cream.
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Thursday, November 1, 2012
Looking forward to seeing you all at the celebration. Ice cream and wonderful remembrances.
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
See you soon. Ice cream Ice cream, we're ready for ice cream.
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Monday, November 12, 2012
Our deep felt and sincerest thanks to Evelyn Friel for tending to so many logistical details and to Sarah Ciambrone, Bob Taub and the BHCHP leadership and staff for allowing us to gather yesterday to bask again in the sunlight of Joan's spirit. Many thanks to all who came and those who shared their heartfelt remembrances and further validated the life of Angel Joanie. Needless to say, thanks to all of your love and kind thoughts - "The Fund" will now become legit. All of our love, the extended Gold and Weinman families.
