In Memoriam

Josephine Finnie Glenn was born on December 30, 1943 and without much time for family and friends to prepare for the void that would be left, she gained her heavenly wings on February 22, 2021. Mom was very health conscious, she ate a well-balanced diet, walked two miles every day and never missed an annual physical—she did everything by the book. Her diagnosis of cancer was a shock to all who knew and loved her.

She went to work as usual on December 27, 2020; although she was not feeling well. She left work early and went to an urgent care facility. The doctor was concerned and told her to immediately go to the hospital. When she got to the hospital she was admitted, given oxygen, and had fluid drained from her right lung. On or about January 1, 2021, the hospital confirmed a diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer. She made the decision to go on Hospice as the treatment plan would have been far more aggressive than she wanted to endure. It was a quality-of-life choice. Less than two months later she took her last breath.

She had such a generous spirit, a pleasant personality and was loved by many. We wanted her memory to live on through lung cancer research. Our hope is that any innovation in lung cancer research will give future patients extended time with their family and friends.

John Doll served a remarkable 35 years at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rising from a junior patent examiner to the Commissioner for Patents in 2005. Before retiring in 2009, he was appointed Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the USPTO. While serving at the USPTO, John was responsible for approving patents for cancer drugs, some of which were used to treat his particular type of lung cancer mutation after he was diagnosed in January 2019.

John was an energetic, charismatic man devoted to family and friends. He loved boating, scuba diving, yard work and tinkering with his 1967 Corvette. His favorite times were spent on family vacations with his wife, three children and four grandchildren. His quick wit, easygoing and welcoming attitude made him a friend to everyone. He volunteered regularly at church and other events and was a generous contributor to many charities. After his lung cancer diagnosis, he became an active advocate for lung cancer research. His story was featured in June 2020 National Cancer Survivors Day video presented by the LCRF and also in a video in November 2020 celebrating LCRF’s 15-year anniversary celebration. His passion for lung cancer research and generous contributions to the LCRF made an impact. He will be greatly missed.

An unbelievably loving husband of almost 49 years to Audrey, father to Cyndi and Jared and friend to so many lives he touched. He was diagnosed in the summer of 2018 with small cell lung cancer. He set out to battle this and never gave up. Every side effect, every bump in the road, he took with stride and determination.

Marty, as everyone knew him loved the simple things in life. He spent every day with his wife, they were inseparable, and every moment with his children was special and never enough. His kind disposition and smart wit were just two of his amazing qualities. If you were in his presence, you felt comfortable immediately, that was just the kind of man he was, easy going and loving.

If you’ve read this far thank you for honoring him this way. And while you’re at it, throw on some Sinatra, Tony Bennet or Jazz, root for the NY Giants or Mets, order up a burger with well done fries and look up at the night’s sky and stars – those were some of his favorite things.

I don’t really know how any of this is supposed to work. I guess most of us don’t. But, I’ll just start off by saying my mom was a good person. That’s it – she was just a good person. Every room she walked into lit up by her laugh, her sometimes very nosy questions, and her love for everyone she met. She had a personality of a firecracker and I like to think that that is one of the main things she passed down to me and I can only hope to turn into at least half the woman she was.

Our mom was a mom to every single one of our friends – welcoming them with a kiss on the eyeball that was so hard you’d be blind for a few seconds after she finally stopped hugging you. Even beyond being a mom though, she was a friend. She was always down for gossip, she was always ready for a drink, and she was always the first one to dance. So, if you remember anything about her, please don’t remember the cancer and the sadness, but remember her love of life and fun.

I could go on and on about how amazing she was as a mom, a friend, a cheer coach (even though she only did it to make everyone laugh), a daughter, a wife, and beyond, but I honestly don’t think anything will do her enough justice.

I love you mom – high as the sky, deep as the ocean. I can’t wait until we can meet again.

Nancy stoically battled Stage 4 EGFR+ NSC Lung Cancer for 3 1/2 years. In her final days, a biopsy revealed that T790M was the cause of disease progression & the complications she experienced in her last five weeks. By then, her body was too compromised to begin the next treatment we were hoping would give her more time. Five days later, she passed away with her family by her bedside.

We have since decided to donate to LCRF in Nancy’s memory. We hope that by funding further scientific research, future patients will have improved treatment options & extended survival times.

Nancy dedicated her life to others. Besides her husband & children, “Nannie’s” grandchildren were an endless source of pride & joy. She was the ultimate Mama Bear who loved and protected fiercely. At just five feet tall, the quote “Though she be but little, she is fierce” is apropos of the extent of her love and devotion to loved ones. The ultimate homemaker & hostess, she was the life of every party & revered as a consummate home chef. Nancy never met a stranger or sparkly outfit she didn’t like. Her smile, endless energy & laughter lit up any room she entered. She loved practical jokes, so it was fitting her favorite holidays were April Fool’s & Halloween. Her bright light & radiant smile will never be forgotten, for she left a little sparkle wherever she went.

Kathy Mecca was an incredibly caring and loving wife, mother, and friend. Her dedication to laughter, love, and family will live on through her memory. She will always be our sunshine.

Her unconditional love, courage and generosity will remain forever in our hearts and guide her family for generations to come.

A native New Yorker, born Faye Marie Milazzo in Manhattan, she moved to Staten Island in her thirties to start a family with her husband, John – whom she met while getting her hair styled for a work gala at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC. Being her bold, bright self and at the risk of seeming too forward (which was not really something she was concerned about), Faye Marie asked her handsome hairstylist, John, if he wanted to be her date at the gala that night – and the rest is history. Faye Marie was always the life of the party and enjoyed hosting sing and dance parties often, even if it was just her and her daughter, Nicole. “She was my best friend – my biggest fan and my greatest critic, which shaped the person I am today. We enjoyed shopping together, watching TV and seeing shows on Broadway. I miss her more and more every day that passes.” Through fundraising and awareness efforts and events, Nicole is able to focus on the amazing memories with her mom, and stay positive for other families facing a lung cancer diagnosis and journey. She also finds solace knowing that her mom is proudly watching over her and her daughter. While Gracie Faye never met her grandmother, she will always carry the gift of her name. The continued love and support from family, friends, and the lung cancer community, gives Faye’s family the strength to remember her smile, laughter and passion for living life.

Felice Lipit Jentis was only 39 years old when she lost her life to lung cancer. Like many others with a lung cancer diagnosis, she had no symptoms. She never smoked, ate a well-balanced diet, and did everything by the book. Yet, just 32 days after diagnosis, she was gone.

That was nearly 15 years ago. Back then, there were no options for her. No clinical trials, no targeted therapies, and no Hail Mary pass. It was unacceptable, and my family vowed to make a change.

Since the day she died, her family has channeled our grief by investing in lung cancer research. Her memory lives on through the remarkable science that continues to provide patients with new treatment methods and extended survival.

These many years without Felice have been tremendously difficult. But her loved ones are inspired by the promise that research provides, we have been inspired by the groundbreaking outcomes.

Larry Shapiro was born July 17, 1955 and was taken from his family and friends way too young on November 6, 1996. He was a loving and funny daddy, husband, brother, son, uncle and best friend to all. He was constantly challenged, unusually unique and so special. He was always power lunching to make a better life for his wife Lorrie and his three children Danyelle, Jessyca and Max. Larry was the life of the party and would light up any room he entered. His devotion to all of his family and friends will be forever missed.