Marilyn Jo Schuyler loved life, her husband, friends, hard work and golf. Our lives joined 25 years ago, and we were closer than sisters. Since the first ideas of One Nurse At A Time began to formulate, Jo was an ardent supporter. As I expounded on my ideas to change the world by helping nurses volunteer, she would listen, encourage and counsel. Jo and her husband David financially supported our cause, and last year arranged for One Nurse to be the holiday charity for her Inglewood Women's Golf Club. I think Jo bought and gave away more Nurses Beyond Borders books than even we contributers! She was so proud of our work.
Jo grew up in small town South Dakota, and moved to San Francisco with her high school sweetheart and daughter in the height of Peace and Love of the 60's and 70's. Besides being a teacher and accomplished musician, she volunteered much of her time with housing and social issues so important at the time. Moving to Seattle she became a CPA and eventually my roommate. My husband and I introduced her to David Schuyler. Immediately, they knew they'd met the love of their lives,married and spent the past 21 years together. Our families joined -my mother was Jo's matron of honor at her wedding. Our siblings,children and parents all came together for holiday celebrations.
Once she retired, she and David became golfaholics. Even as she battled cancer - first breast, then colon, then lung - she would have chemo treatments one week and golf the next. The clubhouse was her church and the members were her extended family. Her greatest trophy was "Most Improved" in her first year of playing.
Jo left us on June 2 of this year, her beloveds in attendance. None of us know how we will adjust to a future without her. But we will set a place for her this Thanksgiving, toast her spirit and give
thanks to her for bringing us together.
She asked that memorial donations be given to One Nurse At A Time - nurse scholarships will be given in her name to further the work she so ardently supported.
Sue Averill, President One Nurse AT A Time
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others. ~
Remembrances in Jo's honor can be sent to to One Nurse at a Time, 7747 38th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
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