Our sweet Nancy graduated at 4:17 am EDT, Tuesday morning, June 18.

She pulled an end run on us and had a massive cerebral hemorrhage. This incredible surprise allowed her to quietly and gracefully ease into her new home with a soft "good-bye.". I followed her instructions and prevented any heroic care. The neuro surgeon laid it all out for me and there was no question but to let her go. She would not have wanted the 30% survival surgery that would be necessary with 90% chance she would not have motor skills even if it was successful.

We were on the bed with each other for about 45 minutes before I saw the signs of the stroke. She kept reaching over and saying, "I love you." Then she said, “I think my hearing is going. Feels like my head is swelling.” I dressed her and carried her downstairs to drive her to the hospital. Then I came to my senses and called 911. What great professionals from Engine Three and Druid Hills paramedics. They took her to St. Joseph's Hospital, the hospital where she gave birth to Jonathan and Christopher. The last thing she said as they were taking her to the ambulance was, “Judy, what kind of bandana am I wearing?" "Blue." "Oh, that's good." I had given her a Yul Brenner the day before because she disliked losing bunches of hair and wanted it all off.

While we waited for two hours at ER for care, she was losing even more contact with us. She kept her eyes closed and did not speak. She responded to the doctor’s request verbally but unintelligibly and did not want to keep her eyes open. They finally took her for a catscan and Judy went with her. Judy sang quietly "Morning has broken, like the first morning, blackbird is singing like the first day," and "Because He Lives, I Will Live Forever!" There was a slight response from Nancy with her eyes closed and then she began drifting off deeper into her coma. The neurologist gave us the word of the immenseness of the situation. It was not even a choice to ask them to not treat her. He explained what would happen shortly.

As we waited at her bedside, ever so often I would have to wipe a tear from her right eye. That was an awesome thing to see -- whether it was an emotional response from what we kept telling her or mechanical – it was beautiful. Her breathing just got slower and slower. Jon, Norm Jr. and Louisa came over about 3:30. Judy and Peggy were with me from the beginning. I'm so sorry Chris was not here -- he arrived on Wednesday from Vernal, Utah where he was training summer staff for the forestry service. Norm Jr. made the decision to come over to say good-bye to Mom, and I'm so glad that he did.

That precious sweetheart of ours gave us a marvelous gift...truly a gift of Joy -- of not having to watch her endure the immense pain that was awaiting her as she advanced in her battle against the bastard ovarian cancer. What mercy and love from our heavenly Father/JC to allow her to short cut that horrendous path that lay ahead and which we both dreaded but were ready to take on in the name of the Lord if that was what we were to do. He excused us. It had been enough.

This past Sunday was like old times. Nancy was up, cooking, talking, planning about wallpaper in the hallway and picking out new equipment for the kitchen. She was talking about going back to church and seeing her friends again. We had a great breakfast, bacon and all, and talked. Later she watched the PGA Open and had a wonderful day topped off by a special “Nancy order” of Krystals and Vidalia Fried Onions. What a day. Had no idea it was a rehearsal for her home going the next day. She had told loved ones earlier that she was going to have a good Father's Day and that was for sure. She did it -- with a megaflair.

Wow. I just can't believe it. She's with Him now in a setting that she yearned for so heavily. Our 43-year, eleven-month and five-day union was worth every moment. And we had dated steady for four years before that. A whole lotta lovin’ and carin’ went on during those 47 years. I love her so much. What a ride we had! There were very few days we were not together all our marriage as we had a special mutual project and responsibility in Norm Jr.

Nancy was cremated as she instructed with no funeral. There will be a memorial service at the Cross and Crown Lutheran Church Tuesday, June 25 at 7:30 pm. Later this summer we will have a graduation celebration at the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. No flowers please. If you wish to make a gift, please consider the Cross and Crown Lutheran Church or Dr. Benegio’s research foundation that is studying cancer proteins for "silver bullet” treatment someday and also working to develop a PSA type test for women to give them a warning. Right now when you are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, it’s too late.

But you know what would thrill Nancy and me? Take your loved ones to dinner in her honor and remember her in that way. Fellowshipping with friends and food was her joy and so much more important than things. Do it!

Nancy was really looking forward to ejecting her body house and knew that her time lease was coming to a close for this Earth Suit, BUT knew there was an incorruptible one waiting for her in her new time and space dimension. She would constantly tell me what is waiting for us and be thrilled when I would read Scripture to her about her forever which was coming in all its glory.

I prayed after she stopped breathing... such a soft and gentle "new beginning" for her. We thanked God for taking her hand and for giving us such a unique person to love, learn from, and have fun with for over four decades.

What a lady! That Nancy Ann Henning Plunkett! What a champion! What a spiritual example for her family and friends.

Thank you all for your prayers, your thoughts and so many acts of kindness during Nancy's War these past two and one-half years. Your support meant so much to her. I thought we would have a little time to fool around in the new car she wanted so badly. God was very good to us by taking her so easily with no pain and a quiet ejection from her body house. These last five months were sequences of incredible pain for her. And it crushed all who watched. Nancy showed us the way. We're all going to jettison at some time so you be ready by understanding the difference between knowing Him and knowing about Him. It's personal, very personal.

So grieve with me as we will all miss her so to some degree. And laugh with me as we realize the joy and peace that Nancy is experiencing even at this very moment.

We prayed a prayer of thanks around her cot knowing that she was already ushered in and was being shown around. She has so many she wanted to see. She would tell me about it. Not just family but the "great ones" from Oswald Chambers and Watchman Nee on back to her buddy, the apostle Paul. And she has so many animals to check up on. She's now "forever" but really has been since she gave her heart and life to the Lord when we were dating and she was 18. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and found out that when you have Jesus, you have everything. Eternal life is not a measure of time, as we so often think. Eternal Life is a person -- Jesus Christ. She found out early in life and lived for him every day since. Man, found out what is important in life and made it a point to know God better and what He has prepared for His children.

Nancy's life was one huge "show and tell" for the Lord. She never stopped teaching.

God bless us everyone,

Norman, Norm Jr., Jonathan and Christopher