O'NEILL, SHELLEY ANN
(nee Galati) Beautiful, loving and caring wife and mother for 13 years of husband Joe O'Neill (Porky) daughters Courtney (Kiki), Caelin (Boo) and Carina (Beans) O'Neill.
Shelley was born June 20, 1966 in Camden and was raised in Maple Shade, NJ. She has been a ten year resident of the greatest small town in America Stratford, NJ.
She passed on October 4th with family and friends by her side. This was the second battle she had with cancer.
Junior, honey you are everything I could have ever wanted in a wife, mother and buddy. I loved you from the day we met! My heart will never again pump the way it did when I was with you.
Surviving are her parents George and Winifred Galati; Grandmother Mary Baxter; Aunts Shelley Clark and Diane Baxter; uncle Rob Clark; Brothers George and Jimmy Galati and her nieces and nephews.
I am sorry King Arthur could not protect you.
Relatives and friends can call on Saturday October 7th from 9:00 to 11:00AM at Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church, 55 Warwick Avenue, Stratford, NJ. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated following the viewing at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Berlin, NJ.
Memorial contributions in memory of Shelley, for the Inpatient Unit of Samaritan Hospice at Mount Holly may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. Arrangements are by the MOUNT LAUREL HOME for FUNERALS, Mount Laurel, NJ.
Publication date: 10/06/06
She died of Breast Cancer
October 2007 > My Angel's Last Words
by Joe O'Neill
I was lucky to be loved by Shelley Ann O'Neill for 12 years, two months, 13 days, 12 hours and 17 minutes. My life forever changed that night in Sea Isle on July 21, 1994, when she walked up to me and asked, "Do you like the Flyers? Do you like Paul Holmgren?" I couldn't speak and didn't answer her questions, but as she walked away, I knew there was something special about her.
I am forever indebted to Shelley for making me the man and the father I am today. I would not be able to care for our girls or raise them the way we always planned without her guidance. I owe that to Shelley. The scar in my heart will never heal, as I promised to protect her and failed.
I remember sitting outside the house, looking in at Shelley cooking dinner and the girls playing. For those few moments, my world was perfect! Now my world is constant movement and coordination.
What Shelley and I had together, some married couples never experience. I will forever feel cheated, but, oh, what a great 12 years it was! Some of the times we had together seemed to come right out of a movie script. I got to play house with my fantasy girlfriend, and that was pretty cool. When we were out together, it was as if no one else was in the room. It was all about Mom and Dad, being boyfriend and girlfriend again, re-charging the batteries. I felt ten feet tall when she was on my arm. The physical bond we had is broken, but Shelley will never leave my heart.
I truly hope people reading this will take the time to tell their spouse, "I love you" for no reason, "you look great today," and "your touch gives me chills, still today." Hug them often; you never know what tomorrow will bring. I know that I miss those things everyday.
Our three daughters, all tall and beautiful, remind me of their mother every day. Courtney looks just like Shelley and is the sensitive one, always hugging me. Caelin's eyes are green and inviting. She is her daddy's protector. Caelin wants to be a fashion designer. Carina loves sports and is filled with so much energy; she seems to be going 100 miles an hour all the time. Carina is very protective of her sisters. She always has lots of kisses for her daddy. Shelley gave the girls these gifts.
I asked God to let me trade places, "The girls need their Mom more than me." I told Shelley, "Tell Saint Peter I want a sit-down when it's my turn. I want somebody to explain why." I have come to grips with the fact that Shelley won't come back to us. We have no choice but to walk down a different path now.
Shelley made me promise many things before she passed. I said, "Okay, but when you get a chance, come back somehow and whisper in my ear. Tell me you are warm, tell me you are safe, tell me you are watching over us, and tell me I will see you again. I will keep all my promises and move on with our new life a little easier."
I would never have been able to make it through those first few months without the unbelievable support from my family and our friends. We have a new life now. It has been extremely difficult at times to be both Mom and Dad. Sometimes I feel like the whole world is going to come crashing down on top of me. Every day seems like it flows right into the next, with never enough time to do everything and never enough time to sleep.
The girls try to help Dad the best way they can. It just breaks my heart that Mommy is not here anymore for us. They talk, laugh, and remember Shelley often. It makes me happy to see them smile about Mommy. Whether it's when they raise a glass at dinner to cheer Mommy or "Mommy liked that kind of ice cream," or "that was Mommy's favorite ride" or when we say "hello and good–bye" every time we enter or leave Wildwood over the main bridge!
Shelley called me her Al Bundy during our "Happy Hours." Well, if I could be Al, and go back in time and play in that Championship Game again (we went to high school together, a year apart, but never meeting back then), I would find Shelley during halftime, walk up behind her and say, "Don't turn around. I will meet you in about 12 years and we will marry and have three daughters together. Until then, you have a genetic tumor in your left breast and need to take care of it now!" I would just walk away without her seeing me.
In her last days, Shelley told me, "I know you loved me unconditionally and you always did the right, honorable things for me. I thank you for loving me like no other person ever did. You were the only person in my life to never judge me and love me, just for loving you. You were my King Arthur, my protector, my hero and my husband. Most of all, I remember the silly little things you would do. I never told you, but you made me feel so loved and special when you would bring home Swedish fish, buy that outfit I said was beautiful, but too expensive, bring home flowers for no reason, and tuck me in at night."
I will forever have a special angel watching over the girls and me. We all lost a special person in this world; a friend, sister, aunt, wife and Mom. I love sharing stories about Shelley. People should not feel awkward about approaching me and talking about her. It makes me happy to listen to their stories, too. As long as her memory is alive, she will be with us.
She told the girls, "Be strong, stick together, take care of each other, and I will be in your heart and mind whenever you need to see or talk to me." Shelley was an incredible woman, whom I am honored to have called my wife. "Shelley Ann O'Neill, I will forever love you!"
The night before she passed, her last words were "Joey, I love you."
"Good night baby doll. Watch over us."
At Shelley's funeral, Joe reminded everyone to take the time to tell their spouses they love them and give them a hug every day. In Shelley's last days, she was in so much pain, no one could touch her and that's all Joe wanted to do. Breast cancer took away the love of his life, but her memory will forever live in his world, as well as their girls'.
A special heartfelt thanks to: The Bannett Group; Jamie Wood, Shelley's sister; my family and friends; Stratford mom's, the Town of Stratford, families that sent dinners for months and picked up the girls from school; the staff at Yellin and Parkview, and friends and family who where by Shelley's side at the hospital so she would never be alone. And of course, our girl Shelley (she will always be young in our hearts and minds, smiling and dancing).
(nee Galati) Beautiful, loving and caring wife and mother for 13 years of husband Joe O'Neill (Porky) daughters Courtney (Kiki), Caelin (Boo) and Carina (Beans) O'Neill.
Shelley was born June 20, 1966 in Camden and was raised in Maple Shade, NJ. She has been a ten year resident of the greatest small town in America Stratford, NJ.
She passed on October 4th with family and friends by her side. This was the second battle she had with cancer.
Junior, honey you are everything I could have ever wanted in a wife, mother and buddy. I loved you from the day we met! My heart will never again pump the way it did when I was with you.
Surviving are her parents George and Winifred Galati; Grandmother Mary Baxter; Aunts Shelley Clark and Diane Baxter; uncle Rob Clark; Brothers George and Jimmy Galati and her nieces and nephews.
I am sorry King Arthur could not protect you.
Relatives and friends can call on Saturday October 7th from 9:00 to 11:00AM at Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church, 55 Warwick Avenue, Stratford, NJ. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated following the viewing at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Berlin, NJ.
Memorial contributions in memory of Shelley, for the Inpatient Unit of Samaritan Hospice at Mount Holly may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. Arrangements are by the MOUNT LAUREL HOME for FUNERALS, Mount Laurel, NJ.
Publication date: 10/06/06
She died of Breast Cancer
October 2007 > My Angel's Last Words
by Joe O'Neill
I was lucky to be loved by Shelley Ann O'Neill for 12 years, two months, 13 days, 12 hours and 17 minutes. My life forever changed that night in Sea Isle on July 21, 1994, when she walked up to me and asked, "Do you like the Flyers? Do you like Paul Holmgren?" I couldn't speak and didn't answer her questions, but as she walked away, I knew there was something special about her.
I am forever indebted to Shelley for making me the man and the father I am today. I would not be able to care for our girls or raise them the way we always planned without her guidance. I owe that to Shelley. The scar in my heart will never heal, as I promised to protect her and failed.
I remember sitting outside the house, looking in at Shelley cooking dinner and the girls playing. For those few moments, my world was perfect! Now my world is constant movement and coordination.
What Shelley and I had together, some married couples never experience. I will forever feel cheated, but, oh, what a great 12 years it was! Some of the times we had together seemed to come right out of a movie script. I got to play house with my fantasy girlfriend, and that was pretty cool. When we were out together, it was as if no one else was in the room. It was all about Mom and Dad, being boyfriend and girlfriend again, re-charging the batteries. I felt ten feet tall when she was on my arm. The physical bond we had is broken, but Shelley will never leave my heart.
I truly hope people reading this will take the time to tell their spouse, "I love you" for no reason, "you look great today," and "your touch gives me chills, still today." Hug them often; you never know what tomorrow will bring. I know that I miss those things everyday.
Our three daughters, all tall and beautiful, remind me of their mother every day. Courtney looks just like Shelley and is the sensitive one, always hugging me. Caelin's eyes are green and inviting. She is her daddy's protector. Caelin wants to be a fashion designer. Carina loves sports and is filled with so much energy; she seems to be going 100 miles an hour all the time. Carina is very protective of her sisters. She always has lots of kisses for her daddy. Shelley gave the girls these gifts.
I asked God to let me trade places, "The girls need their Mom more than me." I told Shelley, "Tell Saint Peter I want a sit-down when it's my turn. I want somebody to explain why." I have come to grips with the fact that Shelley won't come back to us. We have no choice but to walk down a different path now.
Shelley made me promise many things before she passed. I said, "Okay, but when you get a chance, come back somehow and whisper in my ear. Tell me you are warm, tell me you are safe, tell me you are watching over us, and tell me I will see you again. I will keep all my promises and move on with our new life a little easier."
I would never have been able to make it through those first few months without the unbelievable support from my family and our friends. We have a new life now. It has been extremely difficult at times to be both Mom and Dad. Sometimes I feel like the whole world is going to come crashing down on top of me. Every day seems like it flows right into the next, with never enough time to do everything and never enough time to sleep.
The girls try to help Dad the best way they can. It just breaks my heart that Mommy is not here anymore for us. They talk, laugh, and remember Shelley often. It makes me happy to see them smile about Mommy. Whether it's when they raise a glass at dinner to cheer Mommy or "Mommy liked that kind of ice cream," or "that was Mommy's favorite ride" or when we say "hello and good–bye" every time we enter or leave Wildwood over the main bridge!
Shelley called me her Al Bundy during our "Happy Hours." Well, if I could be Al, and go back in time and play in that Championship Game again (we went to high school together, a year apart, but never meeting back then), I would find Shelley during halftime, walk up behind her and say, "Don't turn around. I will meet you in about 12 years and we will marry and have three daughters together. Until then, you have a genetic tumor in your left breast and need to take care of it now!" I would just walk away without her seeing me.
In her last days, Shelley told me, "I know you loved me unconditionally and you always did the right, honorable things for me. I thank you for loving me like no other person ever did. You were the only person in my life to never judge me and love me, just for loving you. You were my King Arthur, my protector, my hero and my husband. Most of all, I remember the silly little things you would do. I never told you, but you made me feel so loved and special when you would bring home Swedish fish, buy that outfit I said was beautiful, but too expensive, bring home flowers for no reason, and tuck me in at night."
I will forever have a special angel watching over the girls and me. We all lost a special person in this world; a friend, sister, aunt, wife and Mom. I love sharing stories about Shelley. People should not feel awkward about approaching me and talking about her. It makes me happy to listen to their stories, too. As long as her memory is alive, she will be with us.
She told the girls, "Be strong, stick together, take care of each other, and I will be in your heart and mind whenever you need to see or talk to me." Shelley was an incredible woman, whom I am honored to have called my wife. "Shelley Ann O'Neill, I will forever love you!"
The night before she passed, her last words were "Joey, I love you."
"Good night baby doll. Watch over us."
At Shelley's funeral, Joe reminded everyone to take the time to tell their spouses they love them and give them a hug every day. In Shelley's last days, she was in so much pain, no one could touch her and that's all Joe wanted to do. Breast cancer took away the love of his life, but her memory will forever live in his world, as well as their girls'.
A special heartfelt thanks to: The Bannett Group; Jamie Wood, Shelley's sister; my family and friends; Stratford mom's, the Town of Stratford, families that sent dinners for months and picked up the girls from school; the staff at Yellin and Parkview, and friends and family who where by Shelley's side at the hospital so she would never be alone. And of course, our girl Shelley (she will always be young in our hearts and minds, smiling and dancing).
O'NEILL, SHELLEY ANN
(nee Galati) Beautiful, loving and caring wife and mother for 13 years of husband Joe O'Neill (Porky) daughters Courtney (Kiki), Caelin (Boo) and Carina (Beans) O'Neill.
Shelley was born June 20, 1966 in Camden and was raised in Maple Shade, NJ. She has been a ten year resident of the greatest small town in America Stratford, NJ.
She passed on October 4th with family and friends by her side. This was the second battle she had with cancer.
Junior, honey you are everything I could have ever wanted in a wife, mother and buddy. I loved you from the day we met! My heart will never again pump the way it did when I was with you.
Surviving are her parents George and Winifred Galati; Grandmother Mary Baxter; Aunts Shelley Clark and Diane Baxter; uncle Rob Clark; Brothers George and Jimmy Galati and her nieces and nephews.
I am sorry King Arthur could not protect you.
Relatives and friends can call on Saturday October 7th from 9:00 to 11:00AM at Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church, 55 Warwick Avenue, Stratford, NJ. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated following the viewing at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Berlin, NJ.
Memorial contributions in memory of Shelley, for the Inpatient Unit of Samaritan Hospice at Mount Holly may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. Arrangements are by the MOUNT LAUREL HOME for FUNERALS, Mount Laurel, NJ.
Publication date: 10/06/06
She died of Breast Cancer
October 2007 > My Angel's Last Words
by Joe O'Neill
I was lucky to be loved by Shelley Ann O'Neill for 12 years, two months, 13 days, 12 hours and 17 minutes. My life forever changed that night in Sea Isle on July 21, 1994, when she walked up to me and asked, "Do you like the Flyers? Do you like Paul Holmgren?" I couldn't speak and didn't answer her questions, but as she walked away, I knew there was something special about her.
I am forever indebted to Shelley for making me the man and the father I am today. I would not be able to care for our girls or raise them the way we always planned without her guidance. I owe that to Shelley. The scar in my heart will never heal, as I promised to protect her and failed.
I remember sitting outside the house, looking in at Shelley cooking dinner and the girls playing. For those few moments, my world was perfect! Now my world is constant movement and coordination.
What Shelley and I had together, some married couples never experience. I will forever feel cheated, but, oh, what a great 12 years it was! Some of the times we had together seemed to come right out of a movie script. I got to play house with my fantasy girlfriend, and that was pretty cool. When we were out together, it was as if no one else was in the room. It was all about Mom and Dad, being boyfriend and girlfriend again, re-charging the batteries. I felt ten feet tall when she was on my arm. The physical bond we had is broken, but Shelley will never leave my heart.
I truly hope people reading this will take the time to tell their spouse, "I love you" for no reason, "you look great today," and "your touch gives me chills, still today." Hug them often; you never know what tomorrow will bring. I know that I miss those things everyday.
Our three daughters, all tall and beautiful, remind me of their mother every day. Courtney looks just like Shelley and is the sensitive one, always hugging me. Caelin's eyes are green and inviting. She is her daddy's protector. Caelin wants to be a fashion designer. Carina loves sports and is filled with so much energy; she seems to be going 100 miles an hour all the time. Carina is very protective of her sisters. She always has lots of kisses for her daddy. Shelley gave the girls these gifts.
I asked God to let me trade places, "The girls need their Mom more than me." I told Shelley, "Tell Saint Peter I want a sit-down when it's my turn. I want somebody to explain why." I have come to grips with the fact that Shelley won't come back to us. We have no choice but to walk down a different path now.
Shelley made me promise many things before she passed. I said, "Okay, but when you get a chance, come back somehow and whisper in my ear. Tell me you are warm, tell me you are safe, tell me you are watching over us, and tell me I will see you again. I will keep all my promises and move on with our new life a little easier."
I would never have been able to make it through those first few months without the unbelievable support from my family and our friends. We have a new life now. It has been extremely difficult at times to be both Mom and Dad. Sometimes I feel like the whole world is going to come crashing down on top of me. Every day seems like it flows right into the next, with never enough time to do everything and never enough time to sleep.
The girls try to help Dad the best way they can. It just breaks my heart that Mommy is not here anymore for us. They talk, laugh, and remember Shelley often. It makes me happy to see them smile about Mommy. Whether it's when they raise a glass at dinner to cheer Mommy or "Mommy liked that kind of ice cream," or "that was Mommy's favorite ride" or when we say "hello and good–bye" every time we enter or leave Wildwood over the main bridge!
Shelley called me her Al Bundy during our "Happy Hours." Well, if I could be Al, and go back in time and play in that Championship Game again (we went to high school together, a year apart, but never meeting back then), I would find Shelley during halftime, walk up behind her and say, "Don't turn around. I will meet you in about 12 years and we will marry and have three daughters together. Until then, you have a genetic tumor in your left breast and need to take care of it now!" I would just walk away without her seeing me.
In her last days, Shelley told me, "I know you loved me unconditionally and you always did the right, honorable things for me. I thank you for loving me like no other person ever did. You were the only person in my life to never judge me and love me, just for loving you. You were my King Arthur, my protector, my hero and my husband. Most of all, I remember the silly little things you would do. I never told you, but you made me feel so loved and special when you would bring home Swedish fish, buy that outfit I said was beautiful, but too expensive, bring home flowers for no reason, and tuck me in at night."
I will forever have a special angel watching over the girls and me. We all lost a special person in this world; a friend, sister, aunt, wife and Mom. I love sharing stories about Shelley. People should not feel awkward about approaching me and talking about her. It makes me happy to listen to their stories, too. As long as her memory is alive, she will be with us.
She told the girls, "Be strong, stick together, take care of each other, and I will be in your heart and mind whenever you need to see or talk to me." Shelley was an incredible woman, whom I am honored to have called my wife. "Shelley Ann O'Neill, I will forever love you!"
The night before she passed, her last words were "Joey, I love you."
"Good night baby doll. Watch over us."
At Shelley's funeral, Joe reminded everyone to take the time to tell their spouses they love them and give them a hug every day. In Shelley's last days, she was in so much pain, no one could touch her and that's all Joe wanted to do. Breast cancer took away the love of his life, but her memory will forever live in his world, as well as their girls'.
A special heartfelt thanks to: The Bannett Group; Jamie Wood, Shelley's sister; my family and friends; Stratford mom's, the Town of Stratford, families that sent dinners for months and picked up the girls from school; the staff at Yellin and Parkview, and friends and family who where by Shelley's side at the hospital so she would never be alone. And of course, our girl Shelley (she will always be young in our hearts and minds, smiling and dancing).
(nee Galati) Beautiful, loving and caring wife and mother for 13 years of husband Joe O'Neill (Porky) daughters Courtney (Kiki), Caelin (Boo) and Carina (Beans) O'Neill.
Shelley was born June 20, 1966 in Camden and was raised in Maple Shade, NJ. She has been a ten year resident of the greatest small town in America Stratford, NJ.
She passed on October 4th with family and friends by her side. This was the second battle she had with cancer.
Junior, honey you are everything I could have ever wanted in a wife, mother and buddy. I loved you from the day we met! My heart will never again pump the way it did when I was with you.
Surviving are her parents George and Winifred Galati; Grandmother Mary Baxter; Aunts Shelley Clark and Diane Baxter; uncle Rob Clark; Brothers George and Jimmy Galati and her nieces and nephews.
I am sorry King Arthur could not protect you.
Relatives and friends can call on Saturday October 7th from 9:00 to 11:00AM at Saint Luke's Roman Catholic Church, 55 Warwick Avenue, Stratford, NJ. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated following the viewing at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Berlin, NJ.
Memorial contributions in memory of Shelley, for the Inpatient Unit of Samaritan Hospice at Mount Holly may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. Arrangements are by the MOUNT LAUREL HOME for FUNERALS, Mount Laurel, NJ.
Publication date: 10/06/06
She died of Breast Cancer
October 2007 > My Angel's Last Words
by Joe O'Neill
I was lucky to be loved by Shelley Ann O'Neill for 12 years, two months, 13 days, 12 hours and 17 minutes. My life forever changed that night in Sea Isle on July 21, 1994, when she walked up to me and asked, "Do you like the Flyers? Do you like Paul Holmgren?" I couldn't speak and didn't answer her questions, but as she walked away, I knew there was something special about her.
I am forever indebted to Shelley for making me the man and the father I am today. I would not be able to care for our girls or raise them the way we always planned without her guidance. I owe that to Shelley. The scar in my heart will never heal, as I promised to protect her and failed.
I remember sitting outside the house, looking in at Shelley cooking dinner and the girls playing. For those few moments, my world was perfect! Now my world is constant movement and coordination.
What Shelley and I had together, some married couples never experience. I will forever feel cheated, but, oh, what a great 12 years it was! Some of the times we had together seemed to come right out of a movie script. I got to play house with my fantasy girlfriend, and that was pretty cool. When we were out together, it was as if no one else was in the room. It was all about Mom and Dad, being boyfriend and girlfriend again, re-charging the batteries. I felt ten feet tall when she was on my arm. The physical bond we had is broken, but Shelley will never leave my heart.
I truly hope people reading this will take the time to tell their spouse, "I love you" for no reason, "you look great today," and "your touch gives me chills, still today." Hug them often; you never know what tomorrow will bring. I know that I miss those things everyday.
Our three daughters, all tall and beautiful, remind me of their mother every day. Courtney looks just like Shelley and is the sensitive one, always hugging me. Caelin's eyes are green and inviting. She is her daddy's protector. Caelin wants to be a fashion designer. Carina loves sports and is filled with so much energy; she seems to be going 100 miles an hour all the time. Carina is very protective of her sisters. She always has lots of kisses for her daddy. Shelley gave the girls these gifts.
I asked God to let me trade places, "The girls need their Mom more than me." I told Shelley, "Tell Saint Peter I want a sit-down when it's my turn. I want somebody to explain why." I have come to grips with the fact that Shelley won't come back to us. We have no choice but to walk down a different path now.
Shelley made me promise many things before she passed. I said, "Okay, but when you get a chance, come back somehow and whisper in my ear. Tell me you are warm, tell me you are safe, tell me you are watching over us, and tell me I will see you again. I will keep all my promises and move on with our new life a little easier."
I would never have been able to make it through those first few months without the unbelievable support from my family and our friends. We have a new life now. It has been extremely difficult at times to be both Mom and Dad. Sometimes I feel like the whole world is going to come crashing down on top of me. Every day seems like it flows right into the next, with never enough time to do everything and never enough time to sleep.
The girls try to help Dad the best way they can. It just breaks my heart that Mommy is not here anymore for us. They talk, laugh, and remember Shelley often. It makes me happy to see them smile about Mommy. Whether it's when they raise a glass at dinner to cheer Mommy or "Mommy liked that kind of ice cream," or "that was Mommy's favorite ride" or when we say "hello and good–bye" every time we enter or leave Wildwood over the main bridge!
Shelley called me her Al Bundy during our "Happy Hours." Well, if I could be Al, and go back in time and play in that Championship Game again (we went to high school together, a year apart, but never meeting back then), I would find Shelley during halftime, walk up behind her and say, "Don't turn around. I will meet you in about 12 years and we will marry and have three daughters together. Until then, you have a genetic tumor in your left breast and need to take care of it now!" I would just walk away without her seeing me.
In her last days, Shelley told me, "I know you loved me unconditionally and you always did the right, honorable things for me. I thank you for loving me like no other person ever did. You were the only person in my life to never judge me and love me, just for loving you. You were my King Arthur, my protector, my hero and my husband. Most of all, I remember the silly little things you would do. I never told you, but you made me feel so loved and special when you would bring home Swedish fish, buy that outfit I said was beautiful, but too expensive, bring home flowers for no reason, and tuck me in at night."
I will forever have a special angel watching over the girls and me. We all lost a special person in this world; a friend, sister, aunt, wife and Mom. I love sharing stories about Shelley. People should not feel awkward about approaching me and talking about her. It makes me happy to listen to their stories, too. As long as her memory is alive, she will be with us.
She told the girls, "Be strong, stick together, take care of each other, and I will be in your heart and mind whenever you need to see or talk to me." Shelley was an incredible woman, whom I am honored to have called my wife. "Shelley Ann O'Neill, I will forever love you!"
The night before she passed, her last words were "Joey, I love you."
"Good night baby doll. Watch over us."
At Shelley's funeral, Joe reminded everyone to take the time to tell their spouses they love them and give them a hug every day. In Shelley's last days, she was in so much pain, no one could touch her and that's all Joe wanted to do. Breast cancer took away the love of his life, but her memory will forever live in his world, as well as their girls'.
A special heartfelt thanks to: The Bannett Group; Jamie Wood, Shelley's sister; my family and friends; Stratford mom's, the Town of Stratford, families that sent dinners for months and picked up the girls from school; the staff at Yellin and Parkview, and friends and family who where by Shelley's side at the hospital so she would never be alone. And of course, our girl Shelley (she will always be young in our hearts and minds, smiling and dancing).
