My sister-in-law, Marcia Louise Marin, was the kindest and most unassuming woman I have ever met.  After high school, in 1968, Marcia got a job in the typing pool at Pacific Telephone in the financial district of San Francisco. Marcia advanced in her job quickly to become a professional marketing rep who demonstrated to new businesses how to use their telephone system.  She was a stunning, sheek, professional woman who I admired.   

Unfortunately, she was struck down by Huntington’s disease (HD) at a young age, and watching her decline was very difficult for me.   Needless to say, Huntington’s disease angered me for cutting Marcia’s life, her independence, her career short and leaving John, Keith, Vanessa and myself at age 49.                                      

When Marcia died from HD complications in September 1999, John and I held a Celebration of Life at Lassila Funeral Chapel in Auburn California.  At the Celebration, I spoke or really choked on my words to remember Marcia.  The following paragraph is an excerpt from Chapter 31, page 257 of my nonfiction book, Watching Their Dance: Three Sisters, a Genetic Disease and Marrying into a Family At Risk for Huntington’s.

“Marcia was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known.  How I wish her life had been different.  We supported her through the years, dealing with delicate subjects and situations.  She was such a sweetheart, always giving us a look of gratitude that tugged at our hearts.  I watched her with awe and wonder, because she never complained or uttered words of anger.  She never cursed God for her fate and accepted her destiny.”   

We Can Never Lose Hope……