Help My Hurt lost one of its own today – RIP Tricia
April 21, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
It’s hard for some people to understand how you can develop a deep friendship with someone you’ve never met. With today’s technology, communicating by computer and by phone, it is quite easy to do that.
Through my love of greyhounds and my participation on the GreyTalk forum, I got to know Tricia Olson-Giles, of West Tennessee. We began chatting more when my greyhound Oscar passed away and we exchanged several messages when she found out that we both were interested in palliative care. I encouraged her to write and talk about her work as a hospice volunteer coordinator – a job that she gave up recently to follow her passion as a photographer.
When I took over Help My Hurt, I asked Trish if she would write about her battles with fibromyalgia and she agreed to do a Company’s calling interview, which was posted on February 11.
Trish passed away today. She had experienced some other health issues but had been doing well recently. She had undergone Botox treatment for her fibromyalgia pain and was excited about the results. She had plans to write up her experiences for Help My Hurt so you could benefit from her experiences. When I offered her a regular platform in which she could write about living with pain, she was so excited and thanked *me* when I was thanking her.
I am so sad to say that she died today of a brain aneurysm. This vital woman, only in her thirties, with so many plans and so much love to give to both humans and the four-legged creatures, has left us.
True to the way Trish lived her life, giving to others, she is an organ donor. May the people who receive your organs live their lives to the fullest and know in their heart that they received the best gift you could ever have given.
Rest in peace Trish. Please say hi to Oscar if you see him wherever you are. We miss you terribly already.
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That’s beautiful, Mare.
Farewell Tricia. I know I will miss you despite our brief exchanges on GT. You were a good friend to everyone.
Watch over our angels for us… there are so many but with a heart as big as yours, I know you can easily manage.
Sending many hugs and love.
Mare, that is just so sweet. She will be sorely missed, and you are helping all of us by posting this. Thank you, and Godspeed, Trish!
{{{{{ Marijke }}}}}
Tricia gets to go to the Rainbow Bridge before you and I… Your Oscar, My Oscar will be there to greet her along with all her beloved pets. It’ll be great!
Give ‘em a hug for us Tricia
Very nice, thank you for posting it.
GodSpeed Trish
Thank you for the lovely tribute to Trish, Mare. I hope my beloved fruitbat greeted her with plenty of sloppy kisses. Godspeed, Trish!
Marij…. gentle hugs to you, and to all of us who are missing our friend tonight. I’m sure Oscar, Peatie, and Angie are keeping her company at the bridge.
Thanks for that lovely tribute, Mare. Trish was kind, caring and sweet—and so very fragile. She will be missed by so many. My heart hurts for Adrian and all who loved her
She will be miss by everyone who met her, in person or like me via greytalk and msn…
reunited with her Peatie forever…
Farewell Tricia, my friend.
I knew Trish personally. She was a very brave person and to say she will be missed is an understantment. She and I worked together at one of those desk jobs that just didn’t fit her situation. She got the courage to leave corporate America behind and go out on her own. Her life was cut too short. With all the ailments, who would have thought an aneurysm? Like so many of you, I am in still in shock. People my age are not supposed to die. Trish, you are already missed.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Marijke. From reading your post and the comments above mine, it sounds as if she lived life to the fullest and was dearly loved. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of her family and friends. *hugs*
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Marijke, and with Tish’s family and friends. In her short life she made a great impact on those close to her and, because of the Internet, to others around the globe.
Marijke,
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend. May she be painfree and at peace now.
Marijke, this was a very nice tribute. My thoughts are with you, as I know you were one of many who was able to experience Trish’s friendship. I look at it as a gift that we were all so blessed to receive. Trish is truly an angel now. She is most certainly watching over us with your beloved Oscar right now.
Thanks again for allowing us to read your kind words.
xoxo
Trish was the epitome of giving. She was the first to tell you how much she admired you, and one of the humblest people I have ever met. It doesn’t seem fair that her life was cut short – she had so many things planned. We will miss her, and look forward to the day when she greets us at the Rainbow Bridge, Peatie by her side.
I had known Trish for almost ten years, and at times we were very close (she used to only have kitties, believe it or not). I am grateful for her kindness and generosity of spirit and for the positive impact she had on my life. By the article above and commentary, I am not at all suprised to see that so many have been touched by her giving nature over the years. For myself, I am pained by her passing, and the world has become a bit dimmer this morning. It is comforting to know that, like me, many of you have had your lives brightened by her presence. Rest in peace dear lady; you have certainly earned it.
Trish left us way too soon. Adrian and her fur family will miss her most, but the Friends and Family of Trish Club is huge, and sad, today.
I hope this is okay to post here. There is a fund to help with the huge medical bills if you can at the Savvy Hound ‘zine (the website link: http://www.thesavvyhound.com). She was a founding contributor there, and leaves big, pink shoes that will be hard to fill.
So sorry to hear about losing your friend!
Aneurysms scare me–my grandmother died of one at 52.
So Sorry to hear about your generous friend. i wish her godspeed to her next adventure in a first-class cabin.
I have know Trish for 14 years. She was my next door neighbor for years, but most of all she was my best friend. She was my sister.
Trish watched my nephew and nieces grow up and treated them as her own. We “adopted” her into my family many years ago. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
If anyone is in the area of Memphis, TN, the furneral services will be held at Munford Funeral Home in Millington, TN, Friday, April 25, 2008 at 4:00PM. There will be a visitation from 2:00 to 4:00 prior to the funeral.
If anyone has photos of Trish, please email them to me. Adrian is looking for photos for the funeral service. But he needs them by noon Thursday. In case you didn’t know, photos of Trish are hard to come by. She hated having her pic taken.
For more information please feel free to email me at Amy.Griffin@state.tn.us.
I worked with Trish for five years @ Pfizer and as I got to know her I realized what a beautful spirit she had. Very determined and strong through her personal struggles, Trish was a great person to know and work with. Even though we’d lost track of each other I’m really glad that her love of animals and photography lead her to a place of joy.
Though I never had the chance to meet Trish I have heard so much about her. I am so sorry for your loss. I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Caris Healthcare in Someville. A position that Trish previously held. She will be greatly missed with our staff and patients that had the opportunity to meet her.
Hello everyone.
My name is Meg (Rulseh) Hoffmann and Trish and I grew up in the same town of Marion, WI. Her maternal grandmother lived 3 houses away from me and that is how I first met Tricia. We were just little kids. I graduated from high school in 1986 and I believe she graduated in 88 or 89. I also knew her mom and dad (Lynn & Ray). She had a pretty Siberian Husky growing up but I can’t remember his name. Anyway, Marion is small town and her parents owned a grocery store right across the street from my dad’s pharmacy. While Tricia and I knew each other since we were very young during high school we lost touch–probably because of the age difference when I started high school and she was in elementary or jr. high. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone knows why she did not come back for her mom and dad’s or her grandmother’s funeral. I don’t know of any falling out with her family but noticed when she left for college I never saw her again. I moved away but most people I’ve talked to haven’t seen her in years. I’m really not trying to pry into anyone’s business but it would answer a lot of questions if anyone knows why she didn’t come back for the funerals. I have fond memories of Tricia and playing with our dogs together. This news saddens me but when I read all the posts (and the ones on the GreyTalk forum) I am happy that she seemed to have a good life in TN. Sounds like she had a lot of very good friends there. I’m happy that she found her husband and so many sweet dogs (and other animals) to love. Giving greyhounds a loving retirement home really reflects what I remember about her. Loving, caring, non-judgemental, and just wanting to make people and animals happy. If I can help anyone with anything I’d be happy to if I can. I hope someone can help me understand what was going on in her life in TN, too.
Sincerely,
Meg Hoffmann
Meg, thanks so much for that comment – I truly hope that someone will be able to help you.
To all who posted, thank you for your kind wishes and your memories.
Marijke: It is wonderful to read all of the lovely comments about Tricia. She obviously had many friends through your network, and it’s heartwarming to see how much she was loved and appreciated. Tricia was my godchild, and a godmother to one of my children. If there’s any way that you can put Meg Rulseh Hoffmann in touch with me, I’d be happy to talk with her about Tricia’s family. Blessings to all of you as we look for ways to remember Tricia and honor her spirit.
Ann, thank you so much for posting. I will do my best to put the two of you in touch.
Hard to believe it’s been this long since Trish passed. I had her on my heart today and remembered this site. It was good to read all these posts again and be reminded of how she touched people. My best wishes go out to Adrian and Amy as I know they are still missing the Trish-shaped void in their lives.
To Trish… I have no doubts you are enjoying your time in heaven, caring for all the animals there and finally enjoying life free from pain. Can’t wait to see you again when it’s my turn to come home. Again… rest well dear, dear lady.