She fought valiently and with dignity...   |   Thursday, June 21, 2012


Again, with too much frequency of late, I come to our readers with the loss of another one of our Bold and Beautiful women. Telina "Tina" McAllister finally is free of pain.

She fought a valient and courageous fight with Pancreatic cancer for just about a year. Diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in June last year, she was still able to look at life with optimism and hope. Believing in the power of prayer, she was able to assess at the life she had left and enjoy those 'last' things. I remember that she told me the day she was photographed, "I probably just saw my LAST first snowfall...." That hit me like a ton of bricks. What would I do if facing the 'last' of things....? The last Christmas, the last spring daffodils....


She has encouraged more people through her last year, always till the end, the 'care-giver' in the family. "It's hard not to be the care-giver." As I watched her life unfold through these last months, she was always smiling, taking in as much of life as she possibly could participate in and loving on her family. At just age 50, she had so much left to offer those who were privileged to know her as well as her family, who was wholly devoted to her. When the conversation became uncomfortable and people uneasy about her diagnosis, she was the one to constantly try to reassure people and encourage them.


Recently undergoing more chemo, to slow down tumor growth, left Tina hospitalized several times for dehydration, but she remained upbeat, again, concerned that she couldn't keep up with responding to friends notes, thank you's and spending time with family. Entering Hospice last week for pain management, she spent her last days with her devoted family at her side, comfortable and relatively pain free. The tumors didn't win, Tina did. She fought like a warrior, with courage, with dignity and without fear. She is the winner. Cancer can't steal that.

Telina Rae "Tina" McAllister Woodland Formerly of Grand Ledge Age 50, passed away June 20, 2012 in Lansing, MI. Tina was born January 23, 1962 in Ashland Kentucky. She graduated from Grand Ledge H.S. in 1980 and was a medical assistant at the office of Dr. Harold Sterling. She was a member of Holmes Road Church of Christ, enjoyed being outdoors at the lake, and the many relationships she had with her loving family and friends. Tina is survived by her husband of 32 yrs, Jerry; daughters, Melissa (Jared) Grables and Amanda (Michael) Fox; son, Matthew; grandchildren, Caleb, Kaylee, Jordon, Gabriel, and David; father Robert Reeves; sister Teresa (Pat) Marvin; many cousins. She is preceded in death by mother, Carol Reeves and her grandparents. Visitation will be Friday, June 22, 2012, 5-8:00pm at Holihan-Atkin Funeral Home Grand Ledge. A graveside committal will be Saturday 9:30am at Woodland Cemetery followed by a 12 Noon Memorial Service at Holmes Road Church of Christ in Lansing. Memorial contributions may be made to The Oldham Project, P.O. Box 4032 E. Lansing, MI 48826-4032. Online condolences can be shared at www.holihanatkin.com

Labels: , , , , , ,

2 Comments :

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want to thank you for what you do. The photos of Tina show the love in her soul. She was the kind of person who touched everyone she met. She was beautiful inside an out. Your photos show those who didn't know her just how special she was. Your kindness will not be forgotten.

June 23, 2012 at 4:22 PM  
Blogger ByNanasHands said...

What a simply gorgeous woman...I am sure her family will miss her terribly. My deepest sympathy to all those that loved her best...

July 17, 2012 at 9:41 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home

Share

Back to the top