October 14, 2004
Hello All.
Jim Amato here, Pat's brother, class of '69.
My sister passed away today, having fought a battle
with liver cancer for the past 6/7 years. She whipped
it the first time, using alternative methods at
first, then having 83% of her liver removed (only
organ that regenerates, who knew?), to become at the
time cancer free. As I'm sure most of you know, once
it has you it doesn't let go easily, and it came
raging back about 6 months ago. She fought it hard
again, but this time it was not to be denied, and she
died peacefully with family around.
I wanted to let you all know the times she had with
the class doing the reunion dinners and reunions were
some of the best times of her life, and she truly
appreciated your friendship. I know she would want me
to let all of you know this news, and the fact that
she had a very strong faith that enabled her to cope
with this battle. I'm sorry to share this news, but
wanted you all to know. Please send up a good thought
to her, and have a cheerful moment on the day you
read this, Pat would like that.
Jim Amato
Hi, Everyone out there in Cyber-post-Awalt-Land! Once
again inspired by Dewey's great writing, I am tearing
a page from his book, and deleting the Olde and
ringing in the new! (Although I'm sure many of you
suffering from Scrolling finger..[like tennis elbow,
only lower]due to my former Bio, wish that I would
tear a page from Dan VanSciver's book instead...)
Trying to examine WHY I'm having such a grand time
with all my newly discovered Awalt acquaintances...
(after only 3 reunion pre-parties and a few e-mails,
I
feel closer now than I was during my 2yrs at Awalt)...
I think I can conclude that out of an abundant
appreciation of every one of life's blessings, the
greatest Is love; friendships, relationships,
connections between people; what could be more joyous
or fulfilling in life? You won't want to miss out on
these re-connections!! They are so fun!!Dewey
Williams
even came all the way from Washington to our last El
Toritos pre-party, and considered it well worth it!
(And I can Report that his humorously self-disparaging
though Highly Entertaining Bio of late, was a
prevarication of the first order. When I called him
out on his reference to the Hair Club for Men, he had
to cram his chin into his sternum and I had to stand
on my chair to see any skin amongst his original
curly
locks; and if they are gray it's only because he's
cheaper than we female alumni...) So, cancel the
Cable and start brewing your own coffee, buy one-ply,
drive right on by Blockbuster's; do whatever it takes
to come up with the plane fare; and hurry your check
to Jan by the 7th!! (It's the least we can do, short
of becoming a Southwest Air Stewardess like Pat
McNelis Schader did in June just to get a free
ticket) Sure, there's a tiny few who are still tiny,
and a few who haven't earned any wrinkles yet, but
don't let that make you miss out on these wonderful
renewals of life! Don't think of this Reunion as a
Fete worse than death... think of it as a Dinner to
dye for, and Run to the nearest Postbox with your
check! Aren't you curious about how a Doctor of
Jurisprudence could be so concise?!(Master of Briefs
as well as Pilot?) Or Who became involved with
Interpol, tracing an international plane heist (ask
him how much That cost!) And don't you want to meet
again all the "first" girls in Bob Mac.'s life, and
chat with our Tibetan-Irish-Japanese-Chinese-Spanish-
Italian-flavored Texan; and learn the secret charms
of
Gail Eckel and Terry Roselli?(What does D.W. know
that
we don't?)Inquiring minds should want to know! I
personally can't wait!! See you ALL Soon I hope!!!
Send a message to Pat Amato (now Charlesworth) '67