Sad News: Marlboro’s Carmen Congelli passes away

I did this blog some time ago, I was so inspired by her story, it has been seen many times. And now, the end of the story. I did not know her, only her story, and I am posting this with tears in my eyes.


By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ
On a personal note, Carmen was an inspiration to me, as well as so many of you. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her and her parents, Ray and Joann, during her courageous fight with cancer.

During her long battle with cancer, Carmen Congelli inspired her hometown – Marlboro – small and tight-knit.
Congelli’s strength, bravery and grace, also moved opponents and coaches across Section 9. How could it not? For 2 ½ years, she fought through long, draining days filled with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
However, now Brave Carmen is gone.

Congelli, who inspired Section 9 during her fight with rhabdomyosarcoma — a rare soft-tissue cancer — died at home at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday night. She was 17.

“I’m broken-hearted, but at the same time I’m a little relieved,” Congelli’s father, Ray, said. “As tough as she was, Carmen went through hell that last few years. But she went peacefully.”

Ray Congelli said Carmen was surrounded by friends and family at her bed when she passed away. Marlboro athletic director Jonnah O’Donnell, a close friend of the family and Carmen’s former softball coach, arrived to the home shortly after she passed away.

“I think Carmen was holding on to see her friends,” Ray Congelli said. “The last two days she was in bed the whole time. I think she knew it was time, but she didn’t give up. Carmen fought like a champion the whole way.”

Congelli was diagnosed on Sept. 18, 2008 with rhabdomyosarcoma, a fast growing, highly malignant tumor. Her first question when her parents, Ray and Joann, broke the news: “How much longer do I have to live?” Congelli and her family thought she had beat cancer back in November of 2009.

OBITUARY

Senior Citizens Reflections

I got this in an email this morning and it does say a lot, not sure about the last item, it's a different "having the time of my life."  Just waking up is exquisite, little things that I used to take for granted, are now so greatly appreciated.  Being able to stand and not get dizzy, is cause for celebration. Same game, different set or rules ...........

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:

The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The civility out of behaviour,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement

    And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!
    And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country.
    Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!

I'm the life of the party...... even if it lasts until 8 p.m.
I'm very good at opening childproof caps.... with a hammer.
I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.
I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying.
I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.
I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg.
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life!

Artistic Creativity at Loves Flowers

 

Created by

Lisa Bozydaj-Garofolo

Loves Flowers

in

Marlboro, New York