My big brother, Al Smith fought a long, hard battle with courage and optimism up until the end. He never complained once and always had a smile on his face. Al had a bad heart for many years and went through open heart surgery twice. In April, 2017, out of nowhere, he suffered a stroke. His wife, Edmay DeBruyn-Smith, (JA Class of 71) saw the stroke happening and rushed him to the ER where they were able to stop it. Al was fully recovered in a few weeks. Edmay saved his life. In August, 2017 Al was diagnosed with lung cancer but was in remission by November. We spectulate that the chemo may have weakened his already damaged heart. In December, his cardiologist sadly informed Al and Edmay that there was nothing more that could be done in South Bend and sent him to the Mayo Clinic for one last hope for a miracle. Al, Edmay and my sister Julie Smith-Fridley (JA Class of 68) spent 18 days in Minnesota, from Dec. 22nd through Jan. 9th. Our other brother, Jim Smith (JA Class of 69) and one of our little sisters, Nancy Smith-Catanzarite (MHS Class of 83) joined them during the last week. They never left his bedside. Al's heart was pumping at 34% but Mayo gave us all a glimmer of hope but alas, his miracle was not to be. After a really rough weekend at home, Al was admitted into Memorial Hospital on February 4th. After an EKG on February 5th that showed his heart was pumping at less than 15% Al made the hard decision that he'd had enough. There was nothing anyone could do to repair his rapidly failing heart. He asked to go home and be taken off all his medications. Nine days later Al passed away peacefully in his bed. Al fought harder than most with the rotten cards he was dealt. Losing Al has left a big hole in our family that can never be filled but Edmay told us that with every surgery, doctor's appointment and set back, Al's motto became, "OK, let's move forward." And that's what we plan to do.
Susan Margaret Smith (Scheu) (1974)
My big brother, Al Smith fought a long, hard battle with courage and optimism up until the end. He never complained once and always had a smile on his face. Al had a bad heart for many years and went through open heart surgery twice. In April, 2017, out of nowhere, he suffered a stroke. His wife, Edmay DeBruyn-Smith, (JA Class of 71) saw the stroke happening and rushed him to the ER where they were able to stop it. Al was fully recovered in a few weeks. Edmay saved his life. In August, 2017 Al was diagnosed with lung cancer but was in remission by November. We spectulate that the chemo may have weakened his already damaged heart. In December, his cardiologist sadly informed Al and Edmay that there was nothing more that could be done in South Bend and sent him to the Mayo Clinic for one last hope for a miracle. Al, Edmay and my sister Julie Smith-Fridley (JA Class of 68) spent 18 days in Minnesota, from Dec. 22nd through Jan. 9th. Our other brother, Jim Smith (JA Class of 69) and one of our little sisters, Nancy Smith-Catanzarite (MHS Class of 83) joined them during the last week. They never left his bedside. Al's heart was pumping at 34% but Mayo gave us all a glimmer of hope but alas, his miracle was not to be. After a really rough weekend at home, Al was admitted into Memorial Hospital on February 4th. After an EKG on February 5th that showed his heart was pumping at less than 15% Al made the hard decision that he'd had enough. There was nothing anyone could do to repair his rapidly failing heart. He asked to go home and be taken off all his medications. Nine days later Al passed away peacefully in his bed. Al fought harder than most with the rotten cards he was dealt. Losing Al has left a big hole in our family that can never be filled but Edmay told us that with every surgery, doctor's appointment and set back, Al's motto became, "OK, let's move forward." And that's what we plan to do.
In loving memory,
Susie Smith-Scheu (JA Class of 74)