The memorial service

On June 24 more than 70 attended a memorial service for two employees: Wendy Ryan, who passed away on May 28, and Toni Long who passed away on May 30. Each died suddenly, and their colleagues at Community General Hospital were shocked and saddened at the double loss.

Wendy Ryan was a registered nurse on the orthopedic floor, a part of the Community family for 26 years. Toni served as a respiratory therapist for 33 years -- she was also a respiratory clinical instructor at Onondaga Community College for 18 years.

At the memorial service, fellow nurses and family members read scriptures and paused to remember and celebrate their lives spent helping others. The service was conducted by the Rev. James Carey, who has long been associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese chaplaincy program at Community General.

Douglas Smith of the Food Service Department wrote a poem to honor the memory of Toni Long. Doug asked me to read his poem in memory of both employees at the service.

She gave
Until she had nothing
Left to give.
Sharing her own;
To give knowledge and life.
Now in a better
Place.

- Douglas P. Smith
June 9 2009