Buzz this story.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Butch wanted to fix the helmet but his wife didn't believe a broken helmet - no matter how well repaired - could provide protection.
Cindy told Butch that if anything were to happen that left her beyond repair, he should know what she wanted him to do, Cindy's daughter-in-law, Heather Thompson, said.
"She said, 'If I couldn't come out of it the same person, I'd rather not be,' " Thompson said. "He told her, 'There's no way I could make that decision.' And she said, 'Now you don't have to.' "
But last weekend, Butch did have to make that decision - more than 800 miles away from home, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - after Cindy and a friend were hit by an allegedly intoxicated driver following a Cardinals-Phillies game on Thursday.
"God had planned that conversation so the family didn't feel like they had to make that decision," Thompson said. "She had already made it for them."
Cindy, 43, was taken off of a ventilator Saturday evening and died at 10:40 p.m., surrounded by her husband, parents, two sons and a best friend, Thompson said.
Her companion, Sandra Wacker, 36, remains in critical condition at HUP, with her parents and sister by her side.
With Cindy's husband and sons - Ryan and Brett - still too upset to talk, Thompson spoke on their behalf.
She said that Cindy, a retired physical-education teacher, and Sandra, a fourth-grade teacher, made an annual "girls' trip" every year to see their favorite team, the Cardinals, play in different cities across the country.
"She was certainly the ultimate fan, and I'd say Sandra was her partner on this endeavor," Thompson said.
Thursday evening, Butch called to check up on his wife - they had just celebrated their first anniversary - when an unfamiliar voice answered her cell phone.
"It was somebody at the hospital," Thompson said. "They said 'Well, unfortunately we can't confirm who you are so we can't tell you much. But, yes, if that's who you're calling about, we have her and you need to get here.' "
The family figured out the quickest routes to Philadelphia and were in town by Friday, Thompson said. She stayed behind to release information to concerned family and friends.
"Being out of town makes it really scary, because you can't be there and you don't have any idea what's going on," she said.
But once the family reached the hospital, their experience was phenomenal, Thompson said.
"I've heard a lot of stories about how incredible the doctors, nurses and the entire area was to them," she said.
"They really got the feeling that Philadelphia was apologizing and wanted to help, too."
Cindy suffered brain trauma, a broken pelvis and a broken leg. Initially, the family saw small signs in her condition that hinted at hopes of a recovery. But as the day wore on, those signs dissipated, Thompson said.
After Cindy was pulled off the ventilator, Thompson said, Ryan told her that his mother could now watch over Sandra's recovery.
"Of course, our family felt awful leaving her family there, knowing she's still fighting as well," Thompson said.
Reached by cell phone in Philadelphia yesterday, Sandra's sister said that her family is not yet ready to speak.
"When she's doing a bit better we may make comments," she said.
Sunday night, a prayer vigil for "remembering Cindy and healing Sandy" was held in St. Louis with many of the women's former students in attendance, Thompson said.
"I don't doubt that there was a hundred people or more there," she said.
"It was uplifting, a great reminder of how incredible she was and what a great impact she had on so many people's lives."
Dozen's of Cindy's friends, colleagues and students have posted messages about the educator and track coach on line, including one woman, who addressed Cindy simply as "coach."
"I was certainly never one of your great triumphs on the track, but you celebrated each of my successes as though you thought I was," she wrote.
"That was probably one of your greatest virtues. You had hundreds of students and athletes, yet were able to make such profound influences on us as individuals."
Police allege that Joseph Genovese Jr., 18, of Juniper Street near Curtin, struck Cindy and Sandra when he ran a red light at Broad Street near Curtin in South Philadelphia.
Genovese was arrested for DUI and aggravated assault. Police Sgt. Larry Ritchie of the Accident Investigation Division would not say what substances police believe Genovese had consumed before driving.
"As far as results, we haven't gotten them back yet, and that will not be released until it goes to the District Attorney's Office," Ritchie said.
A spokeswoman for the D.A. said that prosecutors are reviewing evidence in the case to determine if homicide charges will be filed.
She said she expects a decision to be made within the week. *
Buzz this story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fr
Oct 10
|
Sa
Oct 11 |
Su
Oct 12 |
Mo
Oct 13 |
Tu
Oct 14 |
SPORTS
OBITUARIES
Green
today's poll
express headlines
Promotions
photo GALLERY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
email this
print this
reprint or license this
