Peggy Orona

This quilt block is dedicated to Peggy Orona. Peggy died of Adenocarcinoma Metastasis on January 7th, 1998 at the age of 41 after a three month battle with cancer that included open heart surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Peggy joined the Army January 7th, 1976 just after graduating from high school. Several years later, she married a man who was in the Army. They spent their career travleing the world and raising their two boys, Chris and Matt. Two years prior to Peggy's illness, her husband left her and returned to Germany to start a new family. Peggy continued to juggle raising the boys, taking college classes and continuing to serve in the Army which included traveling overseas for two months at a time.

In August of 1997 when Peggy returned from Laos, she didn't feel well. Her TMC continued to treat her with a variety of antibiotics. On October 2nd, Peggy was diagnosed with cancer. By this time, the news was not promising. The Oncologist told the boys right away that their Mother was going to die. The cancer had spread to her organs and bones. Two weeks after diagnosis, the surgeons went to drain fluid off Peggy's heart and punctured it. After seventeen units of blood, the doctors managed to keep her alive. Peggy continued to fight hard and was able to complete her radiation treatments but unable to complete the chemotherapy. Peggy worried about her two sons who at this time were 11 and 14. It was hard for them to understand what was going on.

Peggy was always reaching out helping others. She had helped several females whom had been in abusive relationships. She also always remembered the less fortunate children at Christmas.

With the help of Peggy's family, friends, homecare nurses and Hospice, Peggy was able to stay at home. They allowed my sister to die with comfort and dignity. Peggy is greatly missed by her family, especially her two boys.

Dedication by Gayle Jones