ChristiThomas

Forever 9Forever in our Hearts

May 12, 1997 – September 19, 2006

ArrangementsTraunero Funeral Home

Funeral MassSt. Mary’s Catholic Church

Reverend Joseph Szybka

InternmentSeneca Memory Gardens

Tiffi n, Ohio

God saw you getting tiredand a cure was not to be,

so he put his arms around you,and whispered “Come to me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you,and saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly,we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,hard working hands at rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to usHe only takes the best.

Christine Shayna Thomas (Christi), the beloved and cherished daughter of Shayne and Angela (Falter) Thomas of Tiffi n, Ohio was called home at 9:00

am on Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at the tender age of 9. For four straight years Christi battled Neuroblastoma – a childhood cancer. She bravely fought with the strength of a soldier while maintaining the grace and beauty of a ballerina – teaching life’s lessons along the way. She will forever live on in the hearts and minds of thousands around the world who knew her both in person and through her website which recorded her incredible journey.

On a glorious Monday afternoon, Christi was born in Mercy Hospital of Tiffi n, on May 12, 1997. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her best playmate and little sister, Shayla, who adored her and her two cats Buttercup and Buckeye. Other special loved ones include her grandparents: Joan Gear of Port Clinton, OH, Lowell Thomas of Kentucky, Joe and Carolyn (Falter) Jolliff of Upper Sandusky, OH. Great Grandmothers include Dixie Gear of Crestline, OH and Mary Falter of New Washington, OH. Godmothers: Aunt Vaunie Thomas of Arizona and Aunt Tina (Gil) Laterza of Mason, OH. Cousins include: Josh Thomas of Arizona, Ashley, Shelby and William Laterza of Mason, OH. Special friends: Mrs. Donna Pryor, Traci Weaver (Harriet), and many school friends. Greeting her at Heaven’s gates was her Grandpa, Vince Falter and her Great Grandparents: Bernard Falter, Joe Gear, Harold & Germaine Smith and Emerson & Bertha Thomas.

Throughout her young life, Christi was able to touch the lives of many with her compassionate personality, incredibly bright mind, captivating smile, and her continuous bursts of giggles. A “pint sized hero” with a huge heart, Christi sponsored many blood drives which earned her the Clara Barton Award – the Red Cross’s highest honor. Additionally she held Alex & Christi’s Lemonade Stands raising over $12,000 for pediatric cancer research. Her artwork was featured by CureSearch, printed on greeting cards, and earned her a special invitation to the White House.

Christi absolutely delighted in learning. She was a member of the 5th grade class at Seneca East, received gifted education services from Bridges Academy, and scored a perfect score on the state’s reading achievement test. Christi was identifi ed as a profoundly gifted child and was a member of Mensa – the High IQ society. In addition to school, Christi took pleasure in taking piano, ballet, jazz and horseback riding lessons. She was a Girl Scout and a member of the Catholic faith where she was in CCD, baptized in June of 1997 and received the Sacrament of Holy Communion in April of 2004.

Christine Shayna Thomas

With an outgoing and bubbly little personality, her interests included: swimming, playing with friends and cousins, going to COSI and amusement parks, drawing/painting, reading, playing on the computer, wearing fl ip fl ops, watching PBS cartoons and telling jokes. She adored her teachers, friends, cousins, and the wonderful volunteers and staff members at her hospitals in Columbus, New York City, Philadelphia, and at the Ronald McDonald Houses where she also spent hundreds of nights.

Christi’s participation in numerous clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will help researchers develop more effective treatments for cancer. That contribution to science, along with her steadfast courage and dignity are a legacy of which her family is proud.

Friends and those touched by Christi’s life may call at the Traunero funeral home, 214 Monroe Street, Tiffi n, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113, from 1-7 PM on Thursday and Friday, September 21 & 22, 2006. At 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Reverend Joe Szybka will conduct the funeral Mass. Following mass, pink and white balloons will be released to celebrate the life of this special little pioneer. A horse drawn carriage will carry Princess Christi’s casket through the city of Tiffi n where, at the end of town, the “Friends of Christi” will provide a fi nal motorcycle escort to the Seneca Memory Gardens where her she will be buried next to her Grandpa Falter. White doves, as symbols of peace, faithfulness, and purity, will be set free at the conclusion of the cemetery service.

Pallbearers will be: Eric Cook (www.ChristiThomas.com Webmaster), Tim Bowerman (Family Friend) Bob Murray (Dance Unlimited), Dave Conn (Neighbor) Traci Weaver (COSI), Brad Powers (School Principal), Josh Thomas (Cousin) and Gil Laterza (Uncle). Uncle Dudley’s Catering will provide a luncheon after the cemetery services in the rec room at St. Mary’s.

In a concerted effort to memorialize precious Christi’s life here on earth, family and friends have established the Christi Thomas Memorial Fund. The fund is part of the Gillmor Trust, a donor-advised fund and 501(c)(3) Charity. In keeping with Christi’s strong personal commitment of living life to the fullest and reaching out to help others along the way, the Christi Thomas Memorial Fund will sponsor activities to celebrate the spirit of Christi. Memorials may be made to the *Christi Thomas Memorial Fund* in care of the Old Fort Banking Company, 8034 Main Street, Old Fort, Ohio 44861 which will allow the Thomas team to provide activities and services in honor of their precious daughter in the years to come.

Seneca East 5th Grader

May 12, 1997: Born in Tiffi n, Ohio (8 lbs. 4 oz.) to Shayne and Angela (Falter) Thomas.

June 29, 1997: Baptized at St. Aloysius in Republic (Godmothers: Aunts Vaunie Thomas & Tina Laterza).

February 12, 1999: Birth of Best Friend and Loving / Adoring Sister (Shayla Marie Thomas).

September 4, 2001: Started and loved preschool at Betty Jane in Tiffi n with many tremendous teachers.

September 2001: Started ballet lessons with Dance Unlimited at Heidelberg College.

April 2002: Started having unexplained back pain which continued off and on until diagnosis.

May 2002: Kindergarten Screening: Identifi ed with 161 IQ / Reading Fluently / Accelerated to 1st grade.

August 20, 2002: First Day of School, Mrs. Lisa Rombach – 1st grade teacher.

September 8, 2002: Admitted to Mercy Hospital of Tiffi n via Emergency Room.

September 9, 2002: Tumor discovered, transferred to Children’s Hospital of Columbus.

Timeline of a Brave& Couragous Pioneer

September 11, 2002: Diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, age 5 years 4 months.

September 23, 2002: Website was launched. Eric Cook lovingly creates and faithfully maintains www.ChristiThomas.com. Visitors to date: 983,087.

September – December 2002: Four rounds of high dose chemotherapy in Columbus. (Bone marrow didn’t clear.)

December 2002 – August 2003: Lived in Ronald McDonald House of NYC and treated almost daily at MSKCC. Treatments: 3 rounds high dose chemos, 4 rounds 3F8s, 1 nine hour surgery, 1 low dose chemo attempt, many blood transfusions and hospitalizations, made many great friends, loved all of NYC and her very special hospital teacher – Anne Marie.

May 12, 2003: Celebrated 6th birthday at Walt Disney World in Florida. Along with her family were her Aunts Vaunie & Tina, her Grandma Nonee and Cousins Ashley & Shelby.

July 10, 2003: Incredible Make a Wish Trip to Japan, extended by her parents to also include 3 days in Hawaii where Christi swam with the dolphins and rode a helicopter over an active volcano.

Christi Thomas

July 2003: Shayne meets Dr. John Maris, of CHOP, in the weight room at the Neuroblastoma Conference in Chicago.

August 2003: First Annual Christi Thomas Poker Run (Charities include: Just for Kids, Ronald McDonald House, and Make a Wish).

August 2003: Moved back home from NYC, started school – 2nd grade Ms. Kristin Stiffl er-Rickel, received chemo after school. Treatment transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

October 2003: Began

a three month stay at the Ronald McDonald House of Philadelphia, Two high dose MIBG (total body internal radiation) attempts at CHOP.

January 2004: Returned home, attended school and thrived!

March 2004: Held fi rst Christi Thomas Honorary Blood Drive at Hospice.

April 2004: Cancer again progresses while on four months of treatment with high dose 13-cis-retonic acid.

April 2004: Christi’s art was selected for a greeting card for CureSearch and she was invited to the White House.

April 18, 2004: Makes

Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Republic.

April 2004: Started ABT-751, an oral chemo and what appeared to be a miracle drug for a year allowing Christi to thrive in school and to enjoy lessons for: piano, ballet, karate, religion and Girl Scouts.

Timeline of a Brave& Couragous Pioneer

May 2004: 7th birthday celebration at the Ritz & at Chuck-E-Cheese with COSI friends.

June 2004: Holds fi rst “Christi & Alex’s Lemonade Stand” at the Old Fort Bank which over the next 2 ½ years raised over $12,000 for pediatric cancer research.

April 2005: “Artifact” noted on Christ’s MIBG scan at CHOP indicating the cancer again broke through.

May 2005: Scored perfect reading score and highest level math score on the state achievement tests, only missed 8 days of third grade with Mrs. Lynne Kiess as her teacher.

May 12, 2005: 8th birthday celebration held with good friends, Kaylyn & Theresa, in Columbus (Libby Lu’s, Maggie Moos and swimming and an overnight at the Embassy Suites hotel).

June 2005: Christi chose to visit MSKCC in NYC and the Ronald McDonald House for her summer vacation.

July 1, 2005: MIBG scan at CHOP showed new tumor in rib, upped ABT dosage.

July 2005: Started horse riding lessons with “Chessie.”

August 2005: Began and loved 4th grade with Mrs. Caroline Smith. (She was also Shayne’s 4th grade teacher.)

August 17, 2005: MIBG scan at CHOP indicated extensive new disease.

August 19, 2005: Started Phase I: irino/temador/ceffi xine – salvage chemos to buy more time.

Christi Thomas

September 2005: Christi received the Red Cross’s highest honor – the “Clara Barton Award” for her volunteerism at her many blood drives.

December 22, 2005: MIBG scan at CHOP indicated wide-spread extensive disease.

January 10, 2006: Started Phase I: humanized antibody treatment at CHOP.

January 26, 2006: Lumps discovered on skull with more new tumors popping out daily.

January 31, 2006: Emergency fl ight back to CHOP, immediate high dose chemo attempted.

January-June 2006: Many different high dose chemos attempted (46 nights spent hospitalized, 31 transfusions).

May 2006: 9th birthday celebrations included: limo ride, ceramics and movie with friends, a horse stable party for all of her female classmates and a surprise Magic Mountain trip with COSI friends.

July 19, 2006: MIBG Scan at CHOP again confi rms progressing cancer. Our pioneer begins yet another Phase I experimental trial (Fenretnide – oral chemo).

Summer 2006: A lovely summer where she enjoyed her dance recital, Ritz theatre camp, Girl Scout camp, staying with friends and cousins, playing with her sister, swimming, being at the lake and winning the 1st place Blue Ribbon for her fair project.

August 21, 2006: First complaint of pain which continued to spread and intensify each day.

Timeline of a Brave& Couragous Pioneer

ChristiThomas

August 22, 2006: Begins (and loves) 5th grade with Mrs. Lori Sauber as her teacher, attends all week although tired and on continuous pain medications.

August 27, 2006: Makes an unscheduled trip with Daddy to CHOP due to intense pain and fatigue.

August 28, 2006: Low dose salvage chemo begins but with no success, tests indicate more progression.

September 2, 2006: Admitted to CHOP via the emergency room for pain.

September 3, 2006: New tumor in skull discovered, emergency palliative radiation begins for pain relief.

September 19, 2006: Earns her Angel Wings and begins eternal life watching over all who blessed her life with their love, support and compassion.

Despite it allthis witty little artist

of God giggled, danced, read

and taught manythe true meaning

of compassionand unconditional love.

She was truly loved!Truly a hero!

Eulogies:Traci Weaver (aka “Harriet) COSI friend

Mike Kerschner, Old Fort Bank

Eric Cook, Christi’s Webmaster

Prayers of the Faithful:Gil Laterza, Uncle

Memory Book Attendants: Becky Baldosser, family friend

“Grandma” Donna Pryor, former babysitter

Caroline Smith, 4th grade teacher

Balloon Attendants: Shari Depinet, A Favorite Babysitter

Deb Kahler, Gifted Ed. Teacher

Ashley Laterza, Adored Cousin

Poems Read by:Shelby Laterza, Cousin

Kaylyn Goshe, School Friend

Theresa Barger, School Friend

Sarah Barkey, School Friend

Shari Depinet, A Favorite Babysitter

Special People in Mass

Readings by:“Paw Paw” Joe Jolliff, Maternal Grandpa

Extra Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion,Marty King, Great Maternal Aunt

Jeff Wagner, Family Friend

Corinne Konecny, Daddy’s Cousin

Music by:Lori Grine, Heidelberg & OSU Friend – pianist

Tiffany Grine, Family Friend / Babysitter – vocalist

Crista Heiberthausen, Family Friend – organist

Lynn Huenemann, Music Teacher – vocalist

JoLynn Messer - harpist

Margaret Townsend - violinist

“Let the children come to me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as they.”

Mark 10:14

EpitaphDo not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fi elds of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling fl ight.

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the fl owers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there – I did not die.

“Your life will not be judged by its length, but by your strength.”

Shayne Thomas – Always Christi’s Dad

After GlowI’d like the memory of me

to be a happy oneI’d like to leave an afterglow

of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echowhispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing timesand bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve,to dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leaveWhen life is done.

Carol Mirkel

Christi

You gave it your all, you put up a fi ght.

Now, sweet angel, go toward the light.

Although there are tears, grief, and pain,

The heavens will welcome a beautiful gain.

You’ve touched so many, near and far;

Your courage and strength made you a star.

It’s plain to see how much you’re adored;but you won the fi ght, the greatest reward.

You suffered too much, but not in vain;there is always a rainbow after the rain.

Your beautiful mother, your wonderful dad,

will not give up, even though they are sad.

What this beast put their baby through,

saving kids for Christi is what they will do.

So fl y little one, with the angels above.

And know that your memory is all about love.

By Lana Flood – an Internet friend

No more pain No more tears

Fly away from your worries Be released from your fears

No more sadness, only light Look beyond our earthly borders

And see the glorious bright

On Angel’s wings you soar The Lord’s waiting for you with open arms

at Heaven’s golden door

Christi, you are now free To be everything you are supposed to be

A guardian Angel full of light God has fi nally let you take fl ight

We’ll miss your laughter jokes and smiles But we know we’ll see you again

When we walk that last weary mile

Oh, what joyous celebration there will be When we are fi nally joined again…

You and me

Pyar Brazile – a fan from afar

God’s Loan“I’ll loan you for a little time a child of mine,” He said,

“For you to love the while he lives,and mourn for when he’s dead”,

It may be six or seven years, or twenty-six or seven,But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for Me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,But there are lessons taught down there

I’ll want this child to learn.

I’ve looked this wide world over in my search for teachers true,And from the throng that crowd life’s lanes,

I have selected you.

Now, will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,Nor hate Me when I come to call to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard you say,” Dear Lord, Thy will be done,For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may,And for the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

Christi A Poem about Christi by Christi

Friendly, funny

playing, dancing,

growing like a deer in a meadow

animal lover.