Corinne 'Corky' Annette Grussing

Corinne Corky Annette Grussing, of Sedona, died Friday, Nov. 8, preceded in death by daughter Peanuts.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ted Grussing; daughters Susan Denise Mihara of Half Moon Bay, Calif. and Joleen Michelle Grussing of New Canaan, Conn.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. at the Church of the Red Rocks. Donations are requested to Church of the Red Rocks and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Below is a blog entry from Ted the day she passed:
at least that is what I thought I heard and felt when the sun set whilst I was on my walk tonight. I got a late start and left my camera at home as it did not appear that there was going to much of a sunset just kind of grayish and that fit my mood as I left. As I reached the far point in my walk and began the trek home. Suddenly I saw some beautiful color and shapes begin to appear in the clouds to the NE with very sharp definition and over the course of the next few minutes the incredible show continued to develop until there were beautiful brush strokes, waves, wings and a wild pallet of color and modern painting in every quadrant of the sky, reds, pinks, fuchsia, blues and more ; the sky felt alive and I thought I heard Corky saying look what I can do now as though she had given me this special show to let me know all is well. A smile formed on my face and has yet to leave.

Corky passed quietly and peacefully from this life on Friday morning at 9:05 AM; she simply quit breathing and was gone. On Wednesday we had a little quieter day than we had been having, but being such a beautiful day we went for a two mile walk (I walk, she rolls) in the afternoon. Half way around she told me I was working too hard and wanted me to sit on her lap and she would drive me home. In the evening things began to change and I cancelled the respite break. Our routine has been that first thing in the morning I would do a few things for her and then make espresso for us and over the next half hour or so we would just have quiet time together and get one or two espressos down. She was not doing very well so I spent the day and night with her and Friday morning she quietly left wrapped in love.

The last few weeks when we were sitting in the living room she would look at me and say I love you so much, I would reply I love you too forever, she would say forever and I would then reply and forever after that and she would get a warm smile on her face. I miss her!

Corky is one of the most loving, gentle, kind and fun persons that has ever walked the earth. She never complained about her MS and we always found a way to make life work. Many friends and family members have been there for us and thank you to everyone who is part of our lives. It is appreciated.

We are having a memorial service on Saturday November 16th to celebrate her life and we invite all who know or have known Corky or been touched by her beauty to join us. The place is Church of the Red Rocks off SR 179 in Sedona. The link to their website is: http://churchoftheredrocks.com/ . You can get driving instructions from the website. In lieu of flowers we request that you make a donation to the Church of the Red Rocks or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I will have links / donation methods for each tomorrow night.

After the service there will be refreshments at the church and hope you will stay to chat and remember this very neat lady and share a smile or three too. It is a joyful celebration of a life lived in love and she always gave of herself to others. We were blessed to have so many years together; and I expect we will have more someday.

I came on this photo of us which was taken in the late 70s. I like it and at this moment Cork had been afflicted with MS for about thirteen years, been blind three time times, unable to walk numerous other times and had other difficulties from it. Think it affected her attitude towards life? Check out the smile on her face. Corky was an RN when first diagnosed with MS and was elated to hear that diagnosis because it meant she would likely live long enough to see our daughters grow up she had thought it was a brain tumor. So it was with Corky, always seeing the good.

So cheers!!! Have a wonderful day and may your life be blessed as ours has been share your joy.

Ted

At nightfallthough I know I shall sometime no more

Open my eyes to the light or day, I am one who looks at stars when

Unchained from the work-bench at Nightfall.

They are a sign that I am not ephemeral,

Not you, nor you, whoever you are.

The dawn comes and the dark and the sign sparkling in the brooding night,

Forever and forever.

Max Ehrmann