Daniel V. Brandi, Jr.

Daniel V. Brandi, Jr.  

Daniel V. Brandi, Jr. passed away suddenly at Ohio Health MedCentral in Mansfield, Ohio on Monday, October 21, 2019. Daniel was born to Wilma & Daniel Brandi, Sr. on February 14, 1939 in Saginaw, Michigan. He was raised in Saginaw, Michigan and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1957.

Following graduation, Daniel enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1961 and was stationed in South Carolina, Texas and Great Britain. He was also employed by the C & O Railroad as a fireman. Daniel was employed by Eaton Corporation as an engine component technician for 35 years and retired from the Proving Grounds in Marshall, Michigan in 2001. Daniel enjoyed all things related to cars and auto racing. His fondest memories were driving around in his 1967 Ford Fairlane with his family. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s activities & playing with his great granddaughter.

Since retirement, Daniel & his recently departed wife, Sherry, spent winters enjoying the Florida sunshine, most recently in Indiantown, Florida. Their summers were enjoyed in Marshall, Michigan.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sherry, who preceded him in death by six days.

Daniel and his sweetheart, Sherry Lou (Jewell), were married on September 12, 1964 at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport, Michigan. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. Together they raised their children who survive him, Dan Brandi, III, (wife Jan) Stow, Ohio; Cathy Marquardt (husband Rich) Mansfield, Ohio; Lisa Gibbs (husband Mark) and Tony Brandi (wife Jodi) of Battle Creek, Michigan. Brothers David (Kathi) Brandi of Northville, Michigan; James (Fran) Brandi of Novi, Michigan; and sister Carol (Gary) Tasch of Traverse City, Michigan. Beloved "Bumpa" to grandchildren, Lindsey (Cody) Bassett, Allison (Nick) Gesink, Ana, Foster and Marissa Marquardt, and great granddaughter, Jacqueline Bassett. Daniel leaves behind many nephews, nieces and an abundance of close friends.

A Celebration of Life for both Daniel and Sherry Brandi will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Riverside Golf Club, 245 E. Columbia Avenue in Battle Creek, Michigan 49015. The family welcomes you to share special memories and stories with them.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Success Fund @ Marshall Public Schools c/o Marshall Community Fund , 614 Homer Road, Marshall, Michigan 49068 or online at http://marshallcf.wsiefusion.net/

Sherry Lou Brandi 1943-2019

Sherry Lou Brandi

Sherry Lou Brandi went into the loving arms of her heavenly Father, the morning of Tuesday, October 15, 2019. She had the love and support of her husband and children to comfort her prior to her peaceful passing at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Sherry bravely fought cancer four times in the past ten years. 

Sherry was born to Clyde and Marion Jewell on March 12, 1943 in Pontiac, Michigan. She was raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and was graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1961.

Sherry was employed in many positions of a challenging and interesting nature throughout her life, but her most passionate role was being a mom to her four children and a wife to Daniel V. Brandi, Jr. Her talents & hobbies extended to jewelrymaking, painting, sewing, puzzles, dancing, water exercises and her newfound passion of kayaking! Those that know Sherry were aware of her love of water, whether it was a pool, ocean, river or lake, she thoroughly enjoyed being in or near the water.  

Since retirement, Sherry & Daniel have spent winters basking in the Florida sunshine, most recently in Indiantown, Florida. Their summers were enjoyed in Marshall, Michigan. 

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Sandra Shafer, brother Donald Jewell and brother-in-law Norman “Butch” Shafer. 

Sherry married her sweetheart, Daniel V. Brandi, Jr., who survives her, on September 12, 1964 at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport, Michigan. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. Together they raised their children who survive her, Dan Brandi, III, (wife Jan) Stow, Ohio, Cathy Marquardt (husband Rich), Mansfield, Ohio, Lisa Gibbs (husband Mark) and Tony Brandi (wife Jodi) of Battle Creek, Michigan. Brother Richard Jewell and his partner Lisa Escareno of Saginaw, Michigan. Beloved Nana to grandchildren Lindsey (Cody) Bassett, Allison (Nick) Gesink, Ana, Foster and Marissa Marquardt, and great granddaughter, Jacqueline Bassett. Sherry leaves behind many nephews, nieces and an abundance of close friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 27, 2019 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Riverside Country Club, 245 E. Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49015. The family of Sherry welcomes you to share special memories and stories with them.

A memorial service will be conducted for her friends in Indiantown, Florida so they may enjoy their cherished memories, funny stories and private jokes at a time and date, yet to be determined. 

Memorial donations may be made to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612-9416 or online at https://give.moffitt.org/

Elite Status: An Update on My Mom, Sherry

Elite Status

My mom, Sherry, was diagnosed in June 2019 with her 4th cancer. She had very few symptoms but wasn't feeling well and was dehydrated. As a result of an ER visit,  a PET scan was conducted and the cancer, non Hodgkins Lymphoma, Large B cell, was detected. Mom is in an elite group now as most people do not make it to their 3rd round of non Hodgkins. Some people would call her a frequent flyer, but I think she fits the ELITE status better. As she hit elite status, it required more numerous doctor visits to determine a path of action. Fast forward to today. Mom and Dad (Dan, husband of 55 years) are living in Indiantown, Florida. It is a 3 hour drive from where she is receiving treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. She is undergoing chemotherapy and is enrolled in a trial study that utilizes CAR T cell therapy. If you want to understand more about this groundbreaking therapy, you can watch this short video. CAR T Cell Video 

As of this writing Mom has received a mix of good and bad news. The good news is that the modified T cells are in Tampa! This is huge news as we need the modified T cells to target the cancer.  She is scheduled to have them re-infused on Thursday October 10 @ Moffitt in Tampa, where she will stay in the hospital for a week. She then has to stay near Moffitt for a month to be monitored for any ill side effects.  Other good news is that one of the masses in her left abdomen has become smaller. 

Now for the not so good news. One, the mass in her right abdomen has increased in size. Two, her liver functions are not in the good zone at this time to receive the T Cell therapy. The doctors are working on getting the liver back into the good functioning state in time for the re-infusion of the T cells. Three, as is common with people that have received chemo (this is mom's third time) her veins are not cooperating. They are hopeful that they can place a port near her collarbone today as they are frequently giving her infusions and drawing blood. Fourth, they are increasing her chemo to 6 hours a day for three days to help combat the growing cancer.  She has had chemo for the past three weeks and it is affecting her ability to eat and drink as everything tastes metallic. If she has a craving for something, it often doesn't appeal to her. Smells are affecting her in a big way! 

Mom has requested that people send a prayer their way and to keep the good vibes coming as she is wanting to fight this battle. She needs the love & support of all of us. Dad is doing a great job and could also use prayer for strength and for not running over the slowpoke drivers going 45 mph on the back roads and with dealing with Tampa traffic. Dad is used to Miami traffic and swears Tampa is worse!! 

What do Danny, Lisa, Tony & I need? Well fortunately we have each other and our awesome spouses and friends! But we also could use prayer and words of encouragement and humor. As you know the grandkids, Lindsey (Cody), Allie (Nick), Ana, Foster, Marissa and greatgrandchild, Baby J, are also dealing with their Nana having cancer and their Bumpa being a caretaker. They worry a lot. Sometimes they just need a text or a hug or an I am thinking of you. They need a little lift from their sadness. 

Feel free to leave a comment or to email me if you have any questions and I will do my best to update you on Mom's Elite Status.  My email is cmarquardt1 at mac {dot }com

Cathy

How Can It Be?

How can it be that the time is here for college visits for our oldest child? This weekend she will be going on her first "official" college visit. And my mind is just wondering how can it already be that time in our lives?

When our kids were younger, people would tell us how fast the time would go and that before we knew it we would be looking at colleges rather than pre-schools. It seems those people really knew what they were talking about. I am glad that I listened to a lot of the "sidewalk/grocery store advice" about raising kids because they were right. The young years go fast. The junior high and high school years have speeded up even more.

I am happy with the fun ages of our kids and the ability for us to enjoy conversation together. Most of our conversations take place around the dinner table. I enjoy cooking for our family. Like most families, we juggle evening commitments to sports and music and meetings and projects. It is pretty difficult to get all of us together to eat at the same time. We try to eat together, as often as possible.  I like trying new recipes and making each person's favorite meal for their birthday. As time goes on, I am curious to see what the kids remember, as they get older about the conversations and food we shared together. A meal brings out prayers and conversations and allows us to share in each other's lives.

"The oldest form of theater is the dinner table. It's got five or six people, new show every night, same players. Good ensemble; the people have worked together a lot." Michael J. Fox  I couldn't agree with you more, Michael!

I would love to hear about your dinner table and your thoughts about family time.

Feeling blessed,
Cathy