Obituary of Kathryn Grosso-Hank

Dear Kathy, also known as Mom,
I'm having trouble keeping calm.
Just 62 years since your birth, 
Your time has ended here on Earth.
You spent your early years in Queens
And waitressed with your friends as teens,
Later on, your skills and all your knowledge,
Helped scores of students go to college.
Before too long, your heart was roped,
And you and Dad had soon eloped.
Then, needing space for all those herbs,
You settled out in the suburbs.
Like an oyster with a pearl, 
You soon brought forth a baby girl. 
So beautiful and smiley, 
Her name - Dianna Marie.
Just 2 years later came another-
Your little daughter's baby brother.
Shy at first, then bright and silly
That one would be known as Willie.
And all throughout their childhoods,
You and Dad did all you could,
To live with love and always strive,
To give your kids amazing lives.
But once they both had all grown up, 
Then began life's big hiccups.
The news was grim that fateful day:
The 'c word' no one likes to say. 
As so began your valiant fight
Against the dying of the light, 
And though your strength would sometimes waver,
The way you fought could not be braver.
The cruelest twist, though, happened next.
It felt as though the Hanks were hexed,
And all at once our Dad, your John,
Had fallen ill and soon was gone.
It's hard enough to even start, 
To deal with such a broken heart,
Despite your problems, far from solved,
You guided us with such resolve.
To pull us out of that dark fog, 
You caved and let us get a dog.
Though I was thrilled, not so much, you,
Into your heart hopped Harley-Boo.
From that point on, each day and night, 
That dopey dog's light shined so bright.
Reminding you, despite your trials,
There was always room for smiles.
But this week, after 6 long years, 
Of pains & drugs & hugs & tears, 
With soul & spirit still so tough, 
Your body had simply had enough. 
And so, dear Mom, as you've professed,
The time has come for you to rest.
From earthly struggles, sweet release, 
To spend eternity at peace.
Kind, caring, smart, hilarious
Your traits live on in all of us, 
And though we must now say goodbye,
We'll always love you - YYY.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking that anyone wishing to do so make donations to the DeGregorio Family Foundation for Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research & Education instead. The DeGregorio Family Foundation seeks to promote and facilitate education and collaborative research on the pathogenesis, early diagnostic, and treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancies.

Donations can be made here: http://www.degregorio.org/wp/contribute/