Welcome to WeeklyWilson.com, where author/film critic Connie (Corcoran) Wilson avoids totally losing her marbles in semi-retirement by writing about film (see the Chicago Film Festival reviews and SXSW), politics and books----her own books and those of other people. You'll also find her diverging frequently to share humorous (or not-so-humorous) anecdotes and concerns. Try it! You'll like it!

Tag: Craig Wilson

“Merry Christmas! You Have Cancer!”

Craig, Stacey, Connie,
Wrigley the dog, Elise and Ava

My apologies to those of you who have checked my blog routinely and have found nothing new.

I learned I have cancer (via biopsy) on December 10th. Quite frankly, it has thrown me for a loop. I was advised to cancel my hostessing of close to 20 people at my house, but I went ahead, anyway, and surgery is imminent.

My sister-in-law thanked my husband for his efforts in hosting the Dec. 24th and Dec. 25th event, which went on until 3 a.m. one night and 2 a.m. the other.

News flash: I did all the planning, purchasing, and cooking. The health risks, for me, were considerable because of Covid. My surgeon suggested that I not do it. [Next time, maybe mention me, as well?]

I have seen quite a few of the movies out now and will return tomorrow with comments about: “West Side Story;” “Licorice Pizza;” “C’mon, C’mon;” and others.

Again, my apologies to faithful readers. Oh! And good wishes in the health category are always appreciated. Those were also in short supply.

Rest in Peace, Wendy: We Love You

(L to R) Connie & Craig (Wilson); Regina & Steve (Nelson); Wendy & Mark (Wilson).

 

We lost Wendy (far right), the Best Sister-in-Law in the World, on Saturday, April 18th. She was 62.

She had been battling cancer for over a year. Recently, the cancer (leukemia, this time) had returned and her immune system was compromised when 3 different strains of flu hit. She had a high fever and difficulty breathing.

Wendy was in the hospital for 7 weeks, most of them in intensive care. She had already battled through 2 bone marrow transplants, a mastectomy, and various bouts of chemotherapy. When she went to the emergency room, she was having trouble breathing and spiking a fever.

Over the next weeks, her fever would continue and the doctors expressed their desire to re-start chemotherapy in order to boost her white blood cell count and her body’s ability to fight off the flu. Wendy soldiered on.

Wendy and Me, Texas, summer, 2019.

She was intubated three times. Doctors don’t like to leave you on a respirator for too long, and Governor Cuomo of New York says that 80% of patients who are intubated don’t come off the machines. Wendy did, and sat in a chair and was transferred out of the ICU and was potentially going to be sent to a rehabilitation center, where she would have to relearn how to walk.

These last few weeks, she has not been able to have in-person visitors.

When the call came in at 3 a.m., Mark (her husband) was told he needed to come. Wendy was having great difficulty breathing and was probably dying. He could bring one other person.

Mark and Matt, Wendy’s oldest son who is marrying Samantha in June, went to the hospital. She was not unconscious, but was aware of her children, with whom they face-timed: Megan in Denver and Michael, the youngest, in St. Louis. Mark and Matt were bedside.

I will always remember Wendy’s infectious smile and her spirit. I remember wheeling my huge VCR into my classroom in Silvis to show my class there her appearance on “Wheel of Fortune,” where she won a trip to Hawaii and a lot of Gucci merchandise. (Her final puzzle was “Zero In On,” which also seems unfair). I remember being pregnant at the same time, with Wendy giving birth to Matt forty-four days before I gave birth to my youngest, Stacey (we have the pregnant photos, belly-to-belly to prove it).

WendyLife isn’t fair; Wendy should be here. We shouldn’t be scurrying to set up a Zoom family hook-up to memorialize her and restricting mourners in a church or cemetery to 10 people. She should be attending Matt’s wedding in June and having a great time, living in the moment.

Wendy was the World’s Best Sister-in-Law. I’m wearing the gold earrings she gave me for Xmas. I think she may even have liked me. I will miss her at every family gathering and think of her every time “Wheel of Fortune” comes on, oddly enough.

WendyRest in peace, Wendy. We love you and we will always remember and miss you. You put up a courageous fight and you should be here with us.

Additional Photos from Alleman High School 50th High School Reunion

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Hors d'oeuvres table.

Hors d’oeuvres table.

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Dan Santry near the elevator.

Dan Santry near the elevator.

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Dawn Staes, Steve Marlier, et al.

Dawn Staes, Steve Marlier, et al.

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Pictures from Alleman High School’s Reunion: Class of 1963 on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013

(L to R) Bob Haner, Craig Wilson, Steve Marlier, Susie Marlier, Bob DeJonghe

(L to R) Bob Haner, Craig Wilson, Steve Marlier, Susie Marlier, Bob DeJonghe

Alleman’s 50th class reunion was held at the Holiday Inn in Rock Island on Saturday, September 14, 2013. Here are some pictures from the event, with identification if (and only if) I can identify the participants. Since it wasn’t my class, you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t put names under some of the pictures I took that night.

Steve Marlier (Charlotte, NC) and Bob DeJonghe.

Steve Marlier (Charlotte, NC) and Bob DeJonghe.

If you are a class member, sign up to receive notifications for WeeklyWilson.com, which can be done on the front page. I write about a lot of things of both local, state and national interest.

Craig (far left, obscured), Bob Hafner and a bit of Steve Marlier, in the back of the group photo, which needed risers (or, at least, for the tall guys to go stand in the back.)

Craig (far left, obscured), Bob Hafner and a bit of Steve Marlier, in the back of the group photo, which needed risers (or, at least, for the tall guys to go stand in the back.)


The class, en masse, by the elevators. The drinks in the air are Bob Hafner, Craig Wilson and Steve Marlier.

The class, en masse, by the elevators. The drinks in the air are Bob Hafner, Craig Wilson and Steve Marlier.


Judy (Fecht) DeJonghe is having way too good a time in this partial photo.

Judy (Fecht) DeJonghe is having way too good a time in this partial photo.


This group (Bob DeJonghe, Craig Wilson and Bob Hafner) is being sent to the office for misbehaving.

This group (Bob DeJonghe, Craig Wilson and Bob Hafner) is being sent to the office for misbehaving.


Former Silvis Superintendent of Schools Rene Noppe (and my former teaching colleague), who now teaches course for WIU chatting with classmate.

Former Silvis Superintendent of Schools Rene Noppe (and my former teaching colleague), who now teaches course for WIU chatting with classmate.


Why does it not surprise me that it is Bob Hafner of Hafner's Wagon Wheel hodling the drink aloft.

Why does it not surprise me that it is Bob Hafner of Hafner’s Wagon Wheel hodling the drink aloft.


Someone may have just fallen down the elevator shaft, but this group would not have noticed.

Someone may have just fallen down the elevator shaft, but this group would not have noticed.


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No idea who you all are, but I hope you had a good time.

No idea who you all are, but I hope you had a good time.


Again, carry on.

Again, carry on.


One (of 3) of the priests in the class appears (just barely) on the far lefthand side of photo.

One (of
[caption id="attachment_3869" align="alignleft" width="150"]Me, flanked by Marvis Hafner and Susie Marlier (none of us Alleman grads, but oh, well). Me, flanked by Marvis Hafner and Susie Marlier (none of us Alleman grads, but oh, well).

3) of the priests in the class appears (just barely) on the far lefthand side of photo.[/caption]
The Mistress of Ceremonies ("St. Anne's! St. Anne's! Where are you!"). I think it is Diane Coene Kennedy, but don't hold me to that. Bravo! Job well done.

The Mistress of Ceremonies (“St. Anne’s! St. Anne’s! Where are you!”). I think it is Diane Coene Kennedy, but don’t hold me to that. Bravo! Job well done.


One member of the class (far right) appeared to be heading downstairs on the elevator, but, meanwhile, I think there might be a mugging taking place off to the left, given the reaction(s) of the group in that area.

One member of the class (far right) appeared to be heading downstairs on the elevator, but, meanwhile, I think there might be a mugging taking place off to the left, given the reaction(s) of the group in that area.


Group nearest the Audio Visual screen.

Group nearest the Audio Visual screen.


Craig Wilson (my handsome husband) and the beautiful Susie Marlier. Aren't you a good-looking class!

Craig Wilson (my handsome husband) and the beautiful Susie Marlier. Aren’t you a good-looking class!

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