http://tampatrib.com I 11, 2000 tissue disorder strikes 25-year-old old mother of 2 ORLANDO The once-bubbly mom cannot work, play with her children or provide Christmas presents for them. By MIKE BERRY of The Orlando Sentinel Sandra Jenkins was always an energetic, vibrant young woman. She worked 12-hour days at a job she loved. She sang. She played vigorously with her two young children.
Today, with the holidays ap proaching, the single mother's life has been wrecked by a rare and baffling tissue disorder that has left her a shell of her former self. At 25, she can no longer work and is living on food stamps. She is about to be evicted from her Orlando apartment because she cannot afford the rent. She can't even pick up her children or let them lie on her. And she wonders how she will afford to buy them winter clothes and Christmas toys.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," she said in a dark moment. The misery began more than a year ago when Jenkins suffered sudden, sharp abdominal pains. She was hospitalized with what turned out to be a grapefruit-size tumor and had to undergo a radical hysterectomy. In November 1999, the pain returned and she was hospitalized for a week and a half with a ruptured vagin*l cuff and peritonitis. Jenkins made a full recovery, or so she thought.
She felt great and had a good job with Orlando Regional Medical Center as an insurance claims coordinator. "I was on top of the world," she said. Obituaries ALLEN, William 72, of Holiday, died December 9, 2000. Survived by wife, Donna; six daughters, Vicki, Theresa, Nancy, Christine, Patti, Beverly; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Michels Lundquist DICKERSON, Virginia, 74, of Tampa passed away December 8, 2000 in Crystal River.
Mrs. Dickerson is survived by her husband, Kenneth Dickerson, Lecanto; son, Pete Walker, St. two daughters, Barbara Myers, Tampa, Karen Thomas, Boca Raton; three sisters; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends this evening from p.m. at the Adams Jennings Funeral Home, 6900 Nebraska ph 237-3345.
FERNANDEZ, Rosario 98, of Tampa, died December 9, 2000 in Tampa. Survivors include her daughter, Aniana Santos and husband Frank; granddaughter, Siana Santos; grandson, Bobby Santos; and sister, Clara Nimia Hawkins. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospital. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 12:00 p.m. at the Blount, Curry Roel Armenia Chapel.
Interment will follow in Centro Asturiano Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. at BLOUNT, CURRY ROEL Armenia AP Boza Memorial Chapel (813) 877-7676 HATLER, Richard Lewis, 57, of Plant City, passed away December 9, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Jennie; one son, Steven Hatler; one daughter, Tami Salter; two sisters, Bobbie Henderson and Gloria Kowing; and two grandchildren, Austin Salter and Cameron Salter.
Mr. Hatler was a maintenance mechanic and dragline operator for IMC A- grico and a member of Plant City Church of God. Funeral services will be held Wednesday 11:00 a.m. from Hopewell Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Robert Herrin officiating. Interment, will follow in Hopewell Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home. HOPEWELL FUNERAL HOME Cemetery Family owned operated www.legacy.com PREISS, Gertrude Evelyn, 93, of Valrico, passed away on December 8, 2000. She was preceded in death by her husband and one son. She is survived by two sons; one daughter; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Serenity Meadows Funeral Home (813) 677-9494 But on the Fourth of July, her nightmare began in earnest.
On the way to see fireworks, she began feeling fatigued, then suddenly passed out. She ended up at the hospital with the same 1 pains she had before. Once again, she had a ruptured vagin*l cuff. "No one had heard of a case happening twice," she said. Soon after that, a biopsy revealed that Jenkins probably has a rare form of Ehlers-Danios, a tissue disorder that causes fragile skin, unstable joints and other ailments.
There is no known cure, and life expectancy can be short for some patients. Since last summer, Jenkins' life has deteriorated. She has lost weight, can hardly eat and tires and bruises easily. "It's hard for me to get out of bed. I'm very sore.
I can't pick up my children," she said, fighting tears. "I'm listed as totally disabled and still have two children to Jenkins, who separated from her husband last year, has not been able to work for months, and the bills are piling up. She did not hold her job at ORMC long enough to be eligible for disability payments, and she still is fighting to get Social Security benefits. Her parents have helped out as much as possible, but now they are tapped out, she said. Her husband provides $200 a month in child support, but it barely makes a dent in covering her expenses, she said.
She could seek a divorce and push for more child support, but she relies on his insurance to help meet her enormous medical needs. Jenkins spends the majority of her time traveling to various doc- GONZALEZ, Marlene 59, resident of Valrico passed away December 8, 2000. She is survived by her husband, Feliz; son, Ricardo; daughter, Julie; two brothers, Marvin and Donald Lang. She was an avid bowler. She loved traveling which was developed through 28 years of being a military wife.
She enjoyed people and children and loved her friends. Services will be conducted, Tuesday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Stowers Brandon Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at the funeral home.
Stowers, Brandon MAY, Penny 58, of Tampa, died December 8, 2000. She is survived by her husband, Ernest; three sons, Jay, Jeff, Jan Wolf; one brother, Jeff Greenwood; mother, Marjorie Greenwood; and two granddaughters. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service.
BLOUNT CURRY ROEL Carrollwood Chapel (813) 968-2231 NEEDHAM, Paul, 66, of Bartow, died Saturday, December 9, 2000. He is survived by a loving family. Services at Bethel Church of God on Wednesday, December 13, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. WHIDDEN-MCLEAN FUNERAL HOME, BARTOW NOLAN, Glenn 57, of Brandon, passed away Friday, December 8, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Louise; a daughter, Angela Moses of Panama City, FL; five brothers, Bobby Jimmy, Michael, Timmy and Vernon Nolan; four sisters, Pat Dean, Glenda Dzioba, Debbie Nolan and Deloris Nolan all of Jacksonville; two grandchildren, Sarah and Katie Moses.
He was a native of HarIan County, KY. He lived in Brandon for 19 years coming from Jacksonville. He was the owner of Glenn Plumbing in Brandon. He was a member of the Turkey Creek Masonic Lodge No. 248, Scottish Rite Bodies, York Rite Bodies, and Egypt Shrine Temple all of Tampa.
He was past president of the Brandon Shrine Club and past president of the Egypt Shrine Trike Patrol. He was a Catholic. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, December 13, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. at Stowers Brandon Chapel. Internment will follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 12, 2000, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Tree of Life Shrine Temple, P.O. Box 22805, Tampa, FL 33622-2805. Stowers, Brandon tors and is periodically hospitalized when her condition worsens, she said. Her 5-year-old daughter, Susan, and 4-year-old son, Steven, never know when their mother will be home.
Jenkins wants to travel to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, for further diagnosis, but "I can't figure out how I will get up there or what I will do with the children." In her best moments, Jenkins allows a moment of cheer to shine through. She conducts research on her disease, intrigued by how little is known about it. She makes little jokes, such as when she said that while she can't fulfill a long ago promise to take her daughter to Disney World, maybe she can take her on a Lynx bus ride. But much of the time, she just feels like giving up, she said. "I'm tired, very tired.
I'm tired of doctors looking at me and telling me they don't know what to do. "I've always had strong faith, been very outgoing. Now I just want to stay in bed all the time." Because she cannot afford the rent, she will not buy a Christmas tree. She worries how she will afford winter clothes for her children, who have grown out of last year's clothes. "It's what we need, not what we want," she said.
"My kids are learning that." Editor's note: This story ran as part of a series of Christmas fundraising stories in The Orlando Sentinel. The names of the woman and her children were changed to protect their identity. REID, Augustus Brooks, 76, REID, Augustus Brooks, 76, of Tampa passed away December 8, 2000. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Martha Anne; two brothers, Dr. Raymond F.
Reid and wife Ann, Franklin F. Reid and wife Esther; and his children, Gay Rivas, Brooks Reid and wife Jan, Franklin Reid and wife Wilma. His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Andy, Carrie, Kimberly, Michael, Matthew and Maggie; and greatgranddaughter, Caroline. Born in Jacksonville, A.B. graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1942 and worked in the medical supply business for many years.
We, his family and friends, will hold him in our hearts as long as we live. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 San Jose, Tampa, FL 33629, Building Fund. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. Graveside services will be Wednesday morning for family members.
Mark Ill Funeral Home 831-9444. ROWLLS, Gertha Lee, 67, of Thonotosassa, passed away Thursday, December 7,2000. She is survived by her husband, Charles two sons, Greg and Charles a daughter, Etwenda Sadler; a brother, Henderson Ponder; a sister, Rosa Ponder; two grandchildren, Tracie and Brian; five greatI. grandchildren, Makayla, Rachel, Jessie, Jerry and Heath. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
Services will be conducted Tuesday, December 12, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. Stowers Brandon Chapel. Internment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 11, 2000 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Stowers, Brandon SACKS, Hortense 80, of South Pasadena, formerly of Tampa.
Survivors include three sons, Fred, Joseph, and Mark; and grandchildren, Dana, Andrea, Matthew, Justin and Rachel. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at David C. Gross Central Avenue Chapel with Rev. Jerry Milner and Rabbi Arthur Baseman officiating.
Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Park, Largo. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening from p.m. She was greatly loved and will be missed by all. DAVID C. GROSS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY 6366 Central Avenue 727-381-4911 SLOAN, Floyd Linton, age 80, of Lakeland died Sunday, December 19, 2000 is survived by a loving family.
Services at graveside on Tuesday, December 12, 2000 at Bethel Cemetery, Lakeland. WHIDDEN-MCLEAN FUNERAL HOME, Bartow. 537. AP photo Pilot Michael Bloomfield, left, and commander Brent Jett examine equipment Sunday on the space shuttle Endeavour in preparation for their trip home today. Astronauts prepare to come home By MARCIA DUNN kilowatts of electricity for the three into it," Tanner said.
of The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL Overjoyed with their success, space shuttle Endeavour's astronauts packed Sunday to come home after increasing the size and power of the international space station, Alpha. Good weather was forecast for tonight's early evening landing. The shuttle crew outfitted the space station with solar wings spreading 240 feet from tip to tip and already generating up to 42 men on board. "I'm in the pure joy mode right now," astronaut Joe Tanner said from Endeavour in an interview with The Associated Press. He and spacewalking partner Carlos Noriega installed the solar wings last week, then went back out to make an unexpected repair on a wing that was too slack.
"I expect a few days after landing when I realize that it's all over that there will be a bit of a letdown because we have poured so much 0 bi Obituaries To our readers The format of our obituaries and funeral notices have been consolidated into one item under the heading Obituaries. All obituaries should be submitted to the newspaper by funeral homes, not individuals. The first seven lines are at no charge and must begin with the name of the deceased, date of death, where the deceased was from, and survivors. Any additional lines are charged at $5.40 per line per day for Monday through Saturday and $6 per line per day for Sunday. Deadline for a notice is 2 p.m.
for the following day's publication. Our phone is (813) 259-7958 and fax is (813) 259-7903. American flags and other emblems are available for an additional $6. Photos are accepted and require a minimum of nineteen lines of body copy OBIT15 STICKNEY, Samuel Joseph, 85, of Bartow, died Saturday, December 9, 2000. He is survived by a loving family.
Services at WhiddenMclean Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 12, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. WHIDDEN-MCLEAN FUNERAL HOME, BARTOW Robert W. 81, of Tampa. Dr. Withers is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, B.J.
Withers; six grandchildren; and one-great-grandson. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2000 at 12:30 p.m. in the Auditorium at University Community Hospital (UCH), 3100 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa. He was involved in the original development of University Community Hospital, Inc. and was also instrumental in the design and construction of the UCH Women's Center.
A reception will follow the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LifePath Hospice, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, or the UCH Women's Center. In Memoriams CARD OF THANKS FROM 1 THE STRAUB FAMILY As this Christmas time approaches 6 months have passed since a piece of our hearts were taken out when Ed Straub left us. As all of you know Dr. Straub loved sharing his family to all his peers, friends, patients with picture Christmas cards.
At this time would like to thank each and every one of you for prayers, gifts, cards words of encouragement and compassion to this dear man and our There was such an overwhelming outpouring of love and caring that 1 did not even know where to start with my gratitude. Words were hard to say, but my prayers and thoughts have been constantly about you all. To all of the dear patients, you know he felt as if you were all his family and he carried you in his thoughts and heart always, even after you went home. To you his peers you worked with him daily, you knew of his loyalty and dedication To the hospital For shuttle commander Brent Jett the most satisfying part of the 11-day mission was spending time with Alpha commander Bill Shepherd and his crew. "We were able to do a lot of productive work with them and I know it helped them a lot," Jett said.
"That gave us all, I think, a good feeling as we left." Endeavour's astronauts said Shepherd and his Russian crewmates looked surprisingly good despite the fact that they were getting only four hours of sleep a night. The two crews, together for just one day, found time to share a meal of American and Russian cuisine before parting on Saturday. The five astronauts also were amazed by the tidiness of the space station. "I expected to find packages lashed to the walls, the floor, the ceiling, everywhere you went. And, surprisingly, it looked very well kept," Noriega said.
Until the new solar wings were installed one month into their fourmonth mission, Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev had to skimp on electricity. The $600 million solar wings the largest and most powerful ever built for a spacecraft ended the power rationing. In addition, the solar wings dramatically increased Alpha's size. Its new dimensions: 143 feet long, 240 feet wide and 90 feet deep. Its mass: almost 100 tons.
With Endeavour's mission accomplished, NASA can now turn to its next space station milestone, the delivery of Alpha's first laboratory in January aboard space shuttle Atlantis. The power-hungry lab module will rely heavily on the new solar wings. In Memoriams staff, you knew of his compassion and kindness. To other family Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, thank each and every one of you for sharing his enthusiasm for saving lives and making this small part of wish the to world thank a you little with more the humility for the dedication of Fire Station 19 in Carrollwood being in his name. What an honor to have bestowed on him.
I will never forget any of you and I wish to tell you thank you and wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Love, Nancy Straub and all the family. IN LOVING MEMORY OF Addie Mae Spivey to It has been one very long year that you have been gone and a day does not tgo by when you are not thought of and missed. The wonderful memories that you left us will live in our hearts forever. Your loving husband Mel and Marti, Mike, Jenifer, Jamie.
IN Loving Memory of and Happy Birthday to Kenneth D. Freise We love you and miss you so much. Helen, Darlene, Darren and Danny IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOSEPHINE D. PETRAKIS to Two years have passed but not a day goes by without feeling your love. We know you rest with God and are out of pain and are waiting for all of us.
Missed so much by your husband, Charles and your children Michael, Eleanor and Tom. IN MEMORIAM MARY MONTELEONE Dec. 11, 1920 May 24, 1995. Hi Honey, its been more than five long years that we've been separated but love you more than ever. We all miss you very much.
Your loving husband, Peter Peter Millie, Angie, Joe, cousin Vincenzina Mistretta and always our flower girl, Violet Teston. 2 men accused of trying to scam 70-year-old man An Associated Press report NEW BERN, N.C. Two Florida men have been charged with scamming an elderly New Bern man out of nearly $4,000. Christopher J. McGarry, 20, and Matthew E.
Bouganim, 18, were arrested Friday and charged with obtaining property by false pretense. The Boca Raton men allegedly talked 70-year-old Edward Hill into sending them a check for $3,881.03 in exchange for a new car and $100,000 in cash he had purportedly won. Hill called authorities Tuesday after a man called him the day before. Hill said the man claimed to be representing The Associated Press and was informing him of prizes he had won. Hill said he was instructed to make out a check or money order to his wife, which she could endorse when the prizes arrived.
The man called back and told Hill to send the money overnight and he would repay the cost of shipping. The two men were arrested in Palm Beach County when they went to pick up the check at a drop box, according to New Bern police Detective Doug Ipock. The box had been under surveillance since Hill had notified New Bern police..
