VONDA MAURO CRAIN

With a very heavy heart I need to let you know that Vonda passed into Heaven at 9:35 this morning.  She had a painless death (from pancreatic cancer) and was surrounded by myself, Lori, Tara, Jonny, Zach, Sami, Gabriella and Hanna.  We had a good two hours to hug and kiss and talk to her.  We think she knew she was surrounded by love and could hear us talking to her.  Understandably, it's been a very rough day for our family but we are glad she is no longer in any pain.  We know God has wrapped his arms around her as she joins her dad, mother, my mother, and her namesake grandmother.  At this time, they are probably playing a few hands of poker (except my mom!!).  We start planning for the celebration of life tomorrow and will be posting in the KC Star and on Caring Bridge.  Again, our family wants to thank all of you for the prayers, cards, flowers, visits, meal train meals (that's been a godsend for me since I can't boil water without burning it) and love and support during this very difficult one year and a month journey.  She was a trooper and a fighter all the way.  Her mom called her a "tough cookie" and she got that way by having five brothers to deal with.  She will be my partner "forever and a day."  She was "my girl" and I was "her guy."