As many of you already know my husband Harold Kelly (Kelly or Hal) died on April 30th 2010 from pulmonary fibrosis. He had some breathing problems for about a year and a half but thought it was asthma or allergies which run in his family. He went to Illinois Masonic Hospital emergency room on February 18th. We thought that it could be managed for several years but it got much worse very quickly. He had oxygen at home and work but was forced to quit on April 14th.

On Saturday April 24th, he had to be taken by the fire department to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. He went downhill very fast. His son Darshan was able to come in from Oakland and was a great comfort to Kelly. The nurses from Rainbow Hospice were wonderful.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a terrible disease with a large genetic factor (his older brother Allen died from the same disease a few years ago). Kelly was participating in a study on this disease and was also an organ donor. Donations can be made with a restricted contribution to the Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis program at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado. The attachment has information.

There will be a memorial service at the Margarita Inn in Evanston, Illinois on Saturday July 10th at 3pm www.margaritainn.com. If you are coming from out of town mention that you are with the Kelly service. It is a delightful bed and breakfast with 42 rooms and a wonderful grand parlor where the memorial will be held.

Feel free to let other people know.

-Kate Shockey