Comments for Health Care for the Homeless http://www.hchmd.org/blog News about poverty and homelessness Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:29:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on HCH Remembers Nancy Fink: 1952-2010 by Kathryn (Kacki) Dyer Oktavec http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225&cpage=1#comment-39 Kathryn (Kacki) Dyer Oktavec Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:29:27 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225#comment-39 I began working with Nancy at Hopkins after graduating from Notre Dame College in 1977. Over the course of our 33 year friendship I was constantly in awe of her many accomplishments. Nancy proved to a wonderful role model for me. I was determined to be just like her! Her work ethic, her calm and friendly demeanor, not to mention her clothes and her car (BMW?), what's not to emulate? , That however, would prove to be an exercise in futility. I quickly found out that our Nancy was a true original, and sadly, as we now know, irreplaceable. When I look back on the brightest and darkest moments of my life, I sought out my wise friend for a word of encouragement or a good dose of shared laughter , especially when I would regale her with stories of the latest antics of my boisterous brood. After I moved to Florida In the mid-eighties I knew I could pick up the phone and she would be there for me. In the last 2 years my daughter Kathleen, now in her 4th year at the U. of MD. Medical School came to know Nancy well, and looked to her as a respected mentor. Nancy never forgot my birthday! I would usually be in Ocean City with my 4 children visiting family when the big day (August 8th) rolled around. When I came home I'd go through the mail and look for the envelope with Nancy's distinctive handwriting,and always entertaining, card and message. I would then go out and search for an equally unique card with the determined intention of mailing it before Sept. 5th. Needless to say, I would, address it and not have a stamp, put a stamp on it and lose it on the way to the post office or put it aside, never to be seen again. I was confident though, that Nancy, being Nancy, would certainly realize that minus a tangible acknowledgement, I was certainly thinking of her. On September 5, on what would have been Nancy's 58th birthday, instead of a card, ( which I'm certain I'd misplace), I will honor Nancy by attending her memorial service. Once again, I am confident that Nancy, being Nancy, will somehow know that I will never, ever, forget her . On the morning of July 28th, I learned that Nancy had died. Shocked and saddened,I decided to keep busy by taking my 3 nephews to the beach in Ocean City. where I was visiting my family. As I stood at the water's edge watching them, I looked at the crowds of people up and down the beach thinking, "why Nancy, why now?", and finally, "I hope wherever she is, she is okay". The boys and I then went to sit under our umbrella to have a snack, just then something interesting occurred. Now allow me to digress, when I first met Nancy in 1977 and really began to know her, I learned that she was extremely passionate about all things Springsteen. Not realizing how important the 'Boss' was to my beloved boss, I made an unfortunate comment about Springteen's music that did not sit well with Ms. Fink. For the next 33 years, whenever I had the misfortune to be within earshot of a Springsteen song ,I would automatically think of Nancy. It's true! I'm certain that will be the case for the rest of my life!! As the boys and I were heading back into the ocean, suddenly, from out of the blue, I heard Springsteen's 'Jungleland' blaring from somewhere on the beach! I thought I was imagining it, but I wasn't ! I looked to the sky and smiled. I couldn't figure out where 'that awful music' was coming from but little did it matter. I was instantly impressed with Nancy's quick response, (she was, after all, always super-efficient!), That annoying barrage from her beloved 'Boss 'was her way of telling me that not only was she okay ,but as far as Springsteen was concerned she had gotten the last laugh! 'Jungleland', indeed!. Nancy, I regret that I never had a chance to say goodbye. Living in Florida and trying to juggle the ongoing chaos in my own family kept me from staying in regular contact with my dear friend. I am reassured however that Nancy, because you were Nancy, would have certainly understood. I will never forget you and I will miss you forever, Love, your crazy friend and former colleague, Kacki I began working with Nancy at Hopkins after graduating from Notre Dame College in 1977. Over the course of our 33 year friendship I was constantly in awe of her many accomplishments. Nancy proved to a wonderful role model for me. I was determined to be just like her! Her work ethic, her calm and friendly demeanor, not to mention her clothes and her car (BMW?), what’s not to emulate? , That however, would prove to be an exercise in futility. I quickly found out that our Nancy was a true original, and sadly, as we now know, irreplaceable. When I look back on the brightest and darkest moments of my life, I sought out my wise friend for a word of encouragement or a good dose of shared laughter , especially when I would regale her with stories of the latest antics of my boisterous brood. After I moved to Florida In the mid-eighties I knew I could pick up the phone and she would be there for me. In the last 2 years my daughter Kathleen, now in her 4th year at the U. of MD. Medical School came to know Nancy well, and looked to her as a respected mentor. Nancy never forgot my birthday! I would usually be in Ocean City with my 4 children visiting family when the big day (August 8th) rolled around. When I came home I’d go through the mail and look for the envelope with Nancy’s distinctive handwriting,and always entertaining, card and message. I would then go out and search for an equally unique card with the determined intention of mailing it before Sept. 5th. Needless to say, I would, address it and not have a stamp, put a stamp on it and lose it on the way to the post office or put it aside, never to be seen again. I was confident though, that Nancy, being Nancy, would certainly realize that minus a tangible acknowledgement, I was certainly thinking of her. On September 5, on what would have been Nancy’s 58th birthday, instead of a card, ( which I’m certain I’d misplace), I will honor Nancy by attending her memorial service. Once again, I am confident that Nancy, being Nancy, will somehow know that I will never, ever, forget her . On the morning of July 28th, I learned that Nancy had died. Shocked and saddened,I decided to keep busy by taking my 3 nephews to the beach in Ocean City. where I was visiting my family. As I stood at the water’s edge watching them, I looked at the crowds of people up and down the beach thinking, “why Nancy, why now?”, and finally, “I hope wherever she is, she is okay”. The boys and I then went to sit under our umbrella to have a snack, just then something interesting occurred. Now allow me to digress, when I first met Nancy in 1977 and really began to know her, I learned that she was extremely passionate about all things Springsteen. Not realizing how important the ‘Boss’ was to my beloved boss, I made an unfortunate comment about Springteen’s music that did not sit well with Ms. Fink. For the next 33 years, whenever I had the misfortune to be within earshot of a Springsteen song ,I would automatically think of Nancy. It’s true! I’m certain that will be the case for the rest of my life!! As the boys and I were heading back into the ocean, suddenly, from out of the blue, I heard Springsteen’s ‘Jungleland’ blaring from somewhere on the beach! I thought I was imagining it, but I wasn’t ! I looked to the sky and smiled. I couldn’t figure out where ‘that awful music’ was coming from but little did it matter. I was instantly impressed with Nancy’s quick response, (she was, after all, always super-efficient!), That annoying barrage from her beloved ‘Boss ‘was her way of telling me that not only was she okay ,but as far as Springsteen was concerned she had gotten the last laugh! ‘Jungleland’, indeed!. Nancy, I regret that I never had a chance to say goodbye. Living in Florida and trying to juggle the ongoing chaos in my own family kept me from staying in regular contact with my dear friend. I am reassured however that Nancy, because you were Nancy, would have certainly understood.
I will never forget you and I will miss you forever, Love, your crazy friend and former colleague, Kacki

]]> Comment on HCH Celebrates the Life of Nancy E. Fink: 1952-2010 by Debra Hickman http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=295&cpage=1#comment-38 Debra Hickman Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:30:10 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=295#comment-38 Good Morning Jeff I did not know Nancy But i know you and I can only believe that her spirit was that of an angel because only one with great compassion, humility,love and peace could be enjoined to you.I pray you peace and comfort and that her spirit forever live in the work that you continue to move forward. Peace and Blessings Debbie Good Morning Jeff I did not know Nancy But i know you and I can only believe that her spirit was that of an angel because only one with great compassion, humility,love and peace could be enjoined to you.I pray you peace and comfort and that her spirit forever live in the work that you continue to move forward.

Peace and Blessings
Debbie

]]> Comment on New Mural in Downtown Baltimore by Marionette Butts http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=282&cpage=1#comment-37 Marionette Butts Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:40:59 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=282#comment-37 Great! and my granddaughter Alexis helped. Very proud of her!!!Grandma Great! and my granddaughter Alexis helped. Very proud of her!!!Grandma

]]> Comment on Kevin Lindamood discusses the impact of Medicaid Expansion on people experiencing homeleness by Dave http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=270&cpage=1#comment-33 Dave Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:41:53 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=270#comment-33 Excellent! Excellent!

]]> Comment on HCH Remembers Nancy Fink: 1952-2010 by Jack Kinstlinger http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225&cpage=1#comment-29 Jack Kinstlinger Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:19:36 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225#comment-29 Jeff, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife. A loss as this is shocking but the good wishes of your many friends and admirers hopefully will bring you some measure of comfort. Jeff, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife. A loss as this is shocking but the good wishes of your many friends and admirers hopefully will bring you some measure of comfort.

]]> Comment on HCH Remembers Nancy Fink: 1952-2010 by Kevin Johnson http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225&cpage=1#comment-28 Kevin Johnson Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:19:48 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225#comment-28 Jeff I am sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. My sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family. Please know that your wifes legacy will help keep the memory of her alive. I am sure she was a wonderful person and that is how she shall be remembered. Peace & Blessings Jeff I am sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. My sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family. Please know that your wifes legacy will help keep the memory of her alive. I am sure she was a wonderful person and that is how she shall be remembered. Peace & Blessings

]]> Comment on HCH Remembers Nancy Fink: 1952-2010 by Audrey Mclean-Smith http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225&cpage=1#comment-27 Audrey Mclean-Smith Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:47:14 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225#comment-27 God Bless! God Bless!

]]> Comment on HCH Remembers Nancy Fink: 1952-2010 by Audrey Mclean-Smit http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225&cpage=1#comment-26 Audrey Mclean-Smit Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:43:05 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225#comment-26 Dear Jeff and Family, May God continue to sheild and Protect all of you during this time. My most Sincere condolence go out to all of you. Dear Jeff and Family, May God continue to sheild and Protect all of you during this time. My most Sincere condolence go out to all of you.

]]> Comment on HCH Remembers Nancy Fink: 1952-2010 by Chris House http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225&cpage=1#comment-24 Chris House Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:58:58 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225#comment-24 Dear Jeff and family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss and are praying for you during this time of sorrow. Sincerely, Chris, Debbie, Cee-Jay, and Eric Dear Jeff and family, We are so sorry to hear of your loss and are praying for you during this time of sorrow.

Sincerely,

Chris, Debbie, Cee-Jay, and Eric

]]> Comment on HCH Remembers Nancy Fink: 1952-2010 by Louise Korfmacher http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225&cpage=1#comment-23 Louise Korfmacher Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:06:18 +0000 http://www.hchmd.org/blog/?p=225#comment-23 Jeff, Boys and other relatives, What I will remember most about Nancy is her determination not to let her phsyical situation get her down. She was a Junior Bridesmaid in my wedding in 1961! She has always had a happy outlook on life and I know she was the "anchor" for her family. I am her cousin - we grew up together in Baltimore - and as a family of aunts, uncles and cousins, we had wonderful times together. Most sincere condolences go out to you, Jeff, and the rest of the family. Sincerely, Louise Korfmacher and family Jeff, Boys and other relatives,

What I will remember most about Nancy is her determination not to let her phsyical situation get her down. She was a Junior Bridesmaid in my wedding in 1961!

She has always had a happy outlook on life and I know she was the “anchor” for her family.

I am her cousin – we grew up together in Baltimore – and as a family of aunts, uncles and cousins, we had wonderful times together.

Most sincere condolences go out to you, Jeff, and the rest of the family.

Sincerely,

Louise Korfmacher and family

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