Remembering Anna

By: Ed Plese, RN, BSN

I would like to share some thoughts about my sister-in-law Anna, who passed away last week.  Anna was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was a young adult. She struggled with the symptoms of the illness throughout her years, and at times felt overwhelmed to the point that she required hospitalization and medication adjustments. She was able to survive some of the difficult times with the support of the O.U.R. HOMES community in Lincoln NE.

Managing a chronic mental illness and living a productive life is possible with the support and understanding of mental illness by the community.  All of us have a part to play with understanding and accepting people who act differently from the “norm”.

The mental health community needs your support and advocacy for the individuals who, through no fault of their own or their families, suffer from one of several diseases affecting the brain.

Here is how I remember Anna:

Anna enjoyed the company of many good friends as well as her husband. She loved to sit on her front porch and visit with them. She “adopted” many stray animals in her neighborhood. She fed them daily and gave them each a name. Some of them even made it into her house where they became beloved members of her family. 

Anna also loved children. She knew about the children of each of her friends and never failed to ask about them. She also kept close track of the children in her extended family, especially Sarah and Joe Plese.    

Anna liked to cook with her friends at home.  Many of her friends and family members have also been blessed with one of Anna’s hand crafted quilts, or rugs, or pillows.  Anna and her husband, Tom, adopted a trail at Antelope Park and volunteered there each year.

Those who knew Anna loved her and knew her as a fierce protector of those that she loved. She enjoyed life and possessed an avid curiosity of even the simple things around her. She was a positive influence to her friends and family and possessed an abiding faith that we will all pass from this world into a better one.

Anna will be missed.

You can reach O.U.R. Homes on-line at: www.ourhomeslincoln.com