This page is a living memorial to people who have died from endometriosis. Comments are disabled to show respect for the departed.
People who have died from complications due to or associated with endometriosis:
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Doe, J: Born 1956 – Died June, 1992 at the age of 36. She had been diagnosed with endometriosis and been treated by ovarian cystectomy and laparoscopic pelvic surgery. In 1987, she was diagnosed with endometriomas in the sigmoid colon. According to the article, her gynecologist supervised her condition for another 5 years before deeming the symptoms “sufficiently disabling to require surgery”. In that time, she had undergone multiple endoscopy sessions, which showed no further expansion or growth of the lesions on her colon. However, a laparotomy on June 4, 1992 revealed “extensive pelvic endometriosis with widespread adhesions involving ovaries, an enlarged uterus, and upper rectum. There were hard spherical masses involving the sigmoid and lower descending colon causing rotation and constriction, and similar pathology was noted in a short segment of terminal ileum. Hysterectomy with excision of uterine adnexa was performed. The disease in the ileum and colon was removed with a double resection. The surgery was deemed a success, and it is noted that her “recovery in the hospital was satisfactory and uneventful. Unfortunately, 3 weeks after the operation, she suddenly collapsed at home and died. Autopsy revealed that a massive pulmonary embolus was the cause of death. |
People who have ended their pain and suffering on their own terms:
Courtney Lee Crismore: May 22, 1985 – June 12, 2015.
“She was born in Indianapolis to loving parents Ken and Peg Crismore on May 22, 1985. A graduate of Carmel High School, Courtney earned her bachelor’s degree and recently her master’s degree in biology from Ball State University. Courtney was a strong advocate for Endometriosis Research. While being a loving daughter, sister and friend, Courtney loved to be outdoors and especially enjoyed camping, hiking, and kayaking with her boyfriend Chris. She loved animals from the day she was born. Witty and charismatic, Courtney would light up a room with her bright smile and contagious sense of humor.
Courtney is survived by her parents, Ken and Peg Crismore; sister, Kelley Crismore; maternal grandparents, Allen and Delores Kraisinger; step grandmother, Janice Crismore; Aunts and Uncles, Randy and Kathy Kraisinger, Rick and Dawn Kraisinger, Rodney Kraisinger and Michele Helfgott, Annette and Doug Mendola, and numerous cousins. She is preceded in death by grandparents, Norris Crismore and Geneva Gillaspy and aunt, Beverly Lipowski.
Family and friends will gather on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 from 2:00 to 4 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel with a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Endometriosis Research Center, 630 Ibis Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33444.” -From her obituary in the Indy Star. See also the Leppert Mortuary obit and a Facebook posting.
Julie Elizabeth Borges: June 25, 1977 – November 16, 2014. Julie grew up in Texas, and was a Speech Pathologist. According to her close online friend and fellow endo sister Rebekah, “She was a truly amazing lady. Extremely selfless. She had had 25 surgeries [and] was a true fighter. [She was] bedridden for a long time before the end…she was only 37.”
Per the online obituary, “Julie Elizabeth Borges was born June 25, 1977 in Austin, Texas and died November 17, 2014 at age 37 at her home in Dallas, Texas. Julie spent the first year of her life in Coleman, Texas, and then moved with her family to Austin. She attended Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School, Kirby Hall School, and Pflugerville High School. She received a Master’s Degree from The University of Texas at Dallas with Honors in Speech Pathology. She was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Kay Borges and is survived by her father Darryl Borges, her grandmothers Mary Ruth Borges and Edrie Elliott, two aunts, a grand uncle and numerous cousins and friends.”
You can also read Julie’s Legacy.com obituary page.
Julia Kelly: 1975 – November 2, 2014. She had suffered with endometriosis for 28 years. Her father David said, ‘Because of her terrible endometriosis when she was a teenager, she often missed out on fun nights out with her friends, relationships were impossible and the pain impacted hugely upon her education.’
Then, injuries sustained in an auto accident rendered her in further pain in 2005. Injuries from a second auto accident in 2013 made her life wholly unbearable. Neither accident was her fault, yet the burden was on Julie to pay for her medical care. “Despite overwhelming medical evidence to support her claim, Julia was forced to endure three tribunals – ordeals which only hampered her recovery, her family believes”. In March, 2015, “a coroner found that “upset caused by the potential withdrawal of her benefits had been the trigger for her to end her life“.”
Despite everything, a charity that Julia herself founded still lives on. It is called A Way With Pain. Julia’s father says, ‘The charity was started to create awareness of chronic pain and support those affected…Now I’m keeping going as a legacy to Julia…Going forward, the family hopes the website will bring solace to others living with – or caring for someone with – chronic pain.
It’s a place where people can visit, find comfort and share their experiences on the forum, if they so wish. Hopefully it can eliminate some of the fear, frustration, loneliness and isolation that can be felt when living and dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis.’
Kristi An Rose: March 11, 1978 – May 7, 2009. She had suffered with endometriosis for 12 years. “She was a graduate of Northwestern High School and attended Indiana University Kokomo. Kristi took time to enjoy the beauties that nature had to offer. The flowers, the water, the sun, the moon and the stars would make her feel at peace. Everyone enjoyed her one of a kind sense of humor, she was just that special of a person. You would know when she entered the room, she had a way of lighting it up. Fishing, music, and dancing were other activities she loved. She would photograph her friends and family, and capture their happiness. She was a fan of the arts and shared her paintings, sculptures, and drawings with others. Most of all, Kristi enjoyed spending time with her loved ones and didn’t hesitate to put their needs before her own until her physical pain became too great to endure.” – from her obituary in the Kokomo Tribune.
People with endometriosis who have departed this world (by another issue, or cause unknown to me):
Ellen T. Johnson: August 27, 1957 – November 11, 2007 of metastatic breast cancer. “Ellen was an outspoken advocate of women’s health issues. In 1996, she formed the Endometriosis Association Houston Support Group and served as its volunteer leader for five years. From 2002-2004, she edited an online newsletter for endometriosis patients and leaders called The Coping Zone (endozone.com). Her health-related articles, stories, and interviews have been published on such Internet sites as ObGyn.net, about.com, ivf.com, endowisdom.com, and the website for the International Endometriosis Association.
Working with leading endometriosis and reproductive specialists, Ellen wrote patient information articles on subjects such as thrombophilia, recurrent pregnancy loss, blastocyst transfer, and determination of ovarian reserve that have been published, and translated for women’s groups around the world. She also developed the content for FirstVisitIVF.com, a comprehensive tutorial for infertility patients, and authored patient-oriented articles published in the books Unveiling Endometriosis and Living Well With Endometriosis. Those wishing to make a charitable gift in Ellen’s honor may make donations to Breast Cancer Action at 1-877-2STOPBC; to CanCare of Houston, www.cancare.org at 1-888-461-0028; or to Houston Hospice at 800-824-2911.” From her obituary in the Houston Chronicle on Nov. 14, 2007.
See also an obit written by Lone Hummelshoj at endometriosis.org, which states in part, “The Endometriosis Research Center (ERC) has announced the establishment of a Memorial Fund designed to honor and celebrate the life of Ellen.
The Ellen T Johnson Memorial Fund is intended to help off-set some of the costs of surgery and expenses for women and girls seeking endometriosis treatment.
Women and girls with endometriosis often find it necessary to seek care outside their local health system for effective treatment, and those specialising in the treatment of endometriosis are limited in number. Obtaining such treatment often incurs cross-country travel and significant costs not covered by a patient’s insurance. The ERC wishes to honour Ellen’s memory by continuing to help others get the care they need in her name.
The Ellen T Johnson Memorial Fund will be supported through tax-deductible donations to the ERC in Ellen’s name. The funds will be disbursed on a case by case basis as permitted to disadvantaged patients in need of effective endometriosis treatment. The foundation has also already received a service commitment to the Memorial Fund from one of the world’s leading endometriosis treatment centres, and is seeking additional support from the healthcare community to offer similar services in conjunction with the fund.
This is a befitting memorial to Ellen. I know she would have wished this, because she championed the best care for those with endometriosis.”
March, 2022:
I have just discovered the Endo Crisis Connection on Facebook and Instagram, and they also have a webpage called Endo Trauma. Please visit the Instagram page especially, where you will find many more fallen Endo Siblings to keep in your heart. We must never forget our siblings. Much love to all of you.
If you would like to tell me about a fallen endo sibling, you may email me here.
