On December 15, 2021 my mother was found unconscious on the floor in her apartment and taken to the hospital. She became responsive and my sister arrived at the ER to be with her.
Tests were done to determine the problem and it was determined that she had suffered a serious heart attack, but that wasn’t all. As they continued with the tests they discovered that cancer had spread through much of her body unknown to her.
I arrived at the hospital later that evening and mom was admitted to the ICU where things proceeded to get worse for her. After a couple of days in ICU the doctors recommended not pursuing any treatment for her heart condition or the cancer because of how advanced it was and we (mom, me, and my sister) made the decision to get mom on hospice care.
At first her care had to be done at the hospital until they could get her pain under control. My sister and I spent 15 days by mom’s bedside in a small hospital room until they were finally able to get her into a situation where she could come to my house for her final days.
We cleaned out a spare bedroom and made it as comfortable and peaceful as we could for her. There my sister and I continued to sit by her bedside for another 10 days until she breathed her final breath and went home to be with her Lord.
I have personally never endured anything so difficult in my life and I am up in the middle of the night 2 days after her death and the day before her funeral writing this. For a month I haven’t slept in my bed but rather a recliner by the bed of my dying mom, I’ve eaten poorly and had no exercise. I guess there will be a journey to recovery for me both physically and emotionally.
Even though this has been a difficult season, it was also a blessing to be able to be with my mother and care for her these final days. She loved Jesus and I know she is in peace and that gives me great joy! I will miss my mom but I know that one day I will see her again.
Miss me, but let me go
When I come to the end of the road,
Betty Miller
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in gloom-filled rooms,
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little–but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low;
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me–but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And busy your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me – but let me go.
Obituary for Mona Lisa Thornbro
Mona Lisa (Benge) Thornbro 66, of New Castle passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday January 9th, 2022. She was born August 10th, 1955 in Richmond Indiana.
Mona was loved by her family, and nothing brought her more joy than her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved spending time with her pets and enjoyed simple things like reading her Bible, sitting around a campfire, fishing, and coloring with her grandchildren.
Mona’s family and friends deeply mourn her loss and celebrate her life. We are all thankful for the time we had with her.
She is survived by two children, a son, Harold Thornbro (wife Mary), and a daughter, Tracy (Thornbro) Caban (husband Anthony); eleven grandchildren, Brandi Thornbro, Heather Thornbro, Amber (Thornbro) Glover (husband Patrick), Sean Pemberton (fiancé Natalie), Sarrah (Thornbro) Hulic, Jarrett Thornbro, Aaron Pemberton (fiancé Emily), Ethan Pemberton, step-granddaughter Jamie Caban, Gracie Pemberton, Cameron Thornbro; three great grandchildren; Maverick Hall, Rosalyn Thornbro and Aurora Hulic; four siblings; Tonya (Benge) Driscol, Bruce Benge, David Benge, and Becky (Benge) Allen.
She was preceded in death by her father Howard Benge; stepfather, Lloyd Race and mother, Elizabeth (Farr) Race, and a son, Ricky Thornbro.
