Name at birth: Diane Elizabeth Agamaite
Date of birth: 24 January 1943
Place of birth: Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Date of death: 11 February 1999
Place of death: Sobieski, Wisconsin, USA
Place of burial: St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery,
Suamico (Green Bay), Wisconsin, USA
Submitted by: Rick Szcepanski (rick.szcepanski@msl.redstone.army.mil)
This is a poem that “Mom” selected with assistance from her friend, Peggy, prior to her passing:
For those I love, and for those who love me.
When I am gone, release me let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it is time to travel on alone.
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part, so
Bless the memories that lie within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on,
But if you need me, call and I will come…
Though you can’t see or touch me, you’ll hear
All of my love around you, soft and clear…
And then…when you must come this way alone…
I’ll greet you with a smile and say
“Welcome Home”
Love, Diane
Diane (Agamaite) Peters was the mother of three grown boys, Ron (Sue) Szcepanski, Sobieski, Wisconsin; Randy (Karen) and Miranda, Andrea, and Joe Szcepanski, Suamico, Wisconsin; and Rick Szcepanski, Huntsville, Alabama. She was married to Richard Szcepanski, Little Suamico, Wisconsin and later remarried to Theodore H. Peters, Sr. (deceased). Diane also left behind a brother, David (Nancy) Agamaite, Suamico, Wisconsin; six step-children; 14 step-grandchildren; and nine step-great grandchildren. She was diagnosed with lung cancer on 28 August 1998. The cancer had matasticized to her brain, liver, and finally her kidneys. Diane died at the young age of 56 in her son’s home in Sobieski, Wisconsin. Her family was compassionately assisted by the professional staff at Unity Hospice, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Thank you Unity Hospice; we could not have done it without your support. Diane enjoyed travel, dancing, crafts, sewing, and gambling. Unfortunately, she was a “gambler” who smoked for forty years. She lived a good life, but near the end (since the loss of her husband), could not afford medical insurance — she could not afford the $500+ monthly payments — and did not have a life insurance policy (from her husband or for herself). Her radiation (for the brain tumors) and chemotherapy treatments, including the associated nausea and pain medications, accumulated nearly $40,000 in expenses — with no insurance coverage to assist. She had just started working full-time so that she could obtain medical insurance. She was 30 days into the “90-day grace period” when she was diagnosed with cancer. Obviously, no insurance company would then underwrite a policy with her — knowing she had a “pre-existing” condition.
“Mom, we will never forget your unconditional love,
generosity, loving smile, and beautiful blue eyes.”
Love,
Your baby,
Richard Michael
For those who are smokers, I beg you to please start quitting today; no one should have to realize the pain and suffering that a cancer patient and his or her family and friends endure.
To all who read this, please call your mother, father, spouse, significant other, children, friends, or any other loved one, and tell them that you love them. Do not wait for Mother’s Day, a birthday, Christmas, or next Valentine’s Day — for life is too short, and you may not have tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Richard (Rick) Michael Szcepanski
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