Accomodations

For our family and friends that are making travel arrangements, we wanted to let you know that the Redmond clan is staying at the Spring Hill Suites in Andover (Minutemann Road, 978-688-8200). Thank you to all who have reached out to us with your condolences.  We appreciate all of your prayers and look forward to visiting with everyone throughout the coming days.

2014 Family Reunion

I just learned from the Conte Funeral Home director that the GPS works best if you input the address as 17 3rd Street rather than 17 Third Street.  So, if one doesn't work, the other will.   The Conte Funeral Home is very close to Saint Michael Church.

Thank you.

Jim

We have confirmed the time and date of the Funeral.

We will have visiting hours from 1-5 on Sunday, December 4 at the Conte Funeral Home located at 17 Third Street, North Andover, MA.

The funeral mass will be on Monday December 5th at 10 am at Saint Michael's Church at 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA

Thank you.

Jim

Maureen passed away shortly before 6am this morning.  I was with her at the time and the kids were also here at the hospital.

I will start to make arrangements for the funeral mass this morning and I hope to soon let you know what the arrangements are.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Jim

This is Jim again.  Maureen continues to sleep peacefully.  Joe and Emma are with me at the hospital this evening.

Today Father Chris, the priest at BIDMC, gave Maureen the sacrament of Last Rites.  Those in attendance included me, Joe, Emma, Kay, my sister Lorie, Kay's sister Debbie, Maureen's cousin Joe, his wife Jane and their daughter Caroline, our neighbors Karen and Megan Collins, and our good friend Zoltan Poleretzky.  Father Chris came to know our family very well over these past two years.  In addition to bringing the sacraments to the room, he said mass every Sunday at the Chapel, which Maureen attended when she was well enough and weather permitted (the Chapel is in the West Campus - which requires going outside to get to).  So, it was a great blessing to have him with us today.

Later this afternoon my brother Tom and Maureen's sister Kate arrived.  Kate and Kay are sleeping at Maureen's cousin Mark's apartment this evening.  Mark came by in the evening to visit with us and pick up Kate and Kay.

Joseph and Emma have held up very well.  I am so very proud of how they have handled this and I know that Maureen has left me a wonderful gift in the two of them. 

Thank you again for all of the love and prayers.

Jim

Maureen slept through the night.  Kay and I stayed in the room while Joe and Emma slept in the family room that is located near the unit.  The focus has been on keeping Maureen comfortable.  Today, Sam will be Maureen's nurse.  Sam was the nurse who cared for Maureen the night we checked her into BIDMC on December 16, 2014.

You may be wondering, "Who has been caring for Guinness?"  Yesterday both our neighbor Scott Collins and our dear friend Zoltan Poleretzky dropped in on Guinness - sometimes in sequence!  I'm sure that Guinness loved all of the attention.  Today, Zoltan will be dropping in on him.

My sister Lorie will be arriving from Virginia today, and later this afternoon, Maureen's sister Kate will arrive.

Thank you again for your prayers and support.

Jim

An update on  Maureen.

Maureen has been sleeping the entire day.  During the brief periods when she was awake, she was not fully aware.  The medical team has been working to keep her comfortable.  It is likely that things will develop quickly.  As a result, Joe, Emma and I will spend another night at hotel BIDMC.  Last night I slept in the bed adjacent to Maureen's and Joe and Emma slept in the family room near the elevators.

Today Maureen was surrounded by people who love her.  Joe, Emma and I were joined by Megan Collins (Joe's friend from when he wore diapers) and Megan's mom Karen.  Maureen's mother Kay flew in from Ohio and is here with us.  My friend Jim Monaghan and his wife Denise also joined us.  Our dear friends from Saint Michael's church Ann Marie Guggenberger, Marie Panos, and Amy Turk paid Maureen a visit as well.

We are grateful to all of our friends who are helping out at home - keeping an eye on Guinness as well as other things.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Jim