A Great Loss in Illinois

by karen on 03/27/09 at 11:32 am

Jonie Sieghartner

Illinois is very sad to have lost a young, vibrant District President. Jonie Sieghartner had a stroke (brain bleed) at her district convention March 10th. During dinner, she complained that she didn’t feel well and went out to sit alone. 10 minutes later when someone went to check on her, she had lost feeling in her left side. By the time the ambulance arrived, her speech was slurred. The incident occured in a small town, and as it was very windy that night; a helicopter ride to the large trauma center was out of the question. Jonie passed away a few days later.

Jonie was a very successful farmer, mother, and clubwoman. In fact she founded the Colona Area Junior Woman’s Club. Another of her great club accomplishments was to draw the winning cover for our state chronicle. In the last administration, Illinois compiled a chronicle of the histories of the clubs of our state. Each club was asked to write a short history and also relate information about the club at present. This was inspired by the fact that our International President was a resident of Illinois, and we felt it was a treasure to add to the Woman’s History and Resource Center in our Headquarters in Washington. Jonie’s cover won the competition.

Jonie club did a wonderful Community Improvement Project. They raised the money to put a fence up in front of their local library and protect the children from traffic. This project was one of Jonie’s special loves.

We are strikingly reminded of Jackie Pierce’s educational efforts to bring knowledge of the danger of strokes to our members by this unfortunate incident. Stroke symptoms often include nothing more than blurred vision or a bad headache. A stroke patient needs immediate medical attention that can only be given on an ambulance!! Even at the most basic level, an ambulance will administer oxygen and get the patient immediate attention upon arrival at the hospital. Time is off the essence! Do NOT drive a suspected stroke patient to the hospital yourself.

Has someone had a stroke? The new test includes asking the suspected patient to speak a simple sentence, raise both arms, and stick his/her tongue out. You are looking for symetry and paralysis. Is the tongue in the center, are both arms up, can the patient speak clearly? If you are not sure, call 911! Please.

11 Comments

Diane Addante, GFWC IL

Mar 27th, 2009

12:14 pm

Karen
Thanks so much for this remembrance of Jonie and crucial advice to other clubwomen. Jonie will be missed!

Peggy Masterson

Mar 27th, 2009

1:29 pm

Jonie was “Proud To Be A GFWC Illinois Clubwoman” and you have remembered her rightly! This is a beautiful tribute to Jonie and her contributions as a Leader, Federation Friend, and Clubwoman.

Becky Weber

Mar 27th, 2009

1:33 pm

Karen, thanks so much for the wonderful tribute to Jonie. I had the privilege of serving on the GFWC Illinois Junior Board of Directors and the GFWC Illinois Board of Directors with her. She had a wonderful passion for Federation!
May her “Federation Spirit” live on in all of us!!!

Pat Rung

Mar 27th, 2009

2:11 pm

Her life is an inspiration to us all and let us know how fragile life is. We all need to heed the signs of stroke and take notice for us and our federation sisters.

Deb Strahanoski

Mar 27th, 2009

5:56 pm

Thank you Karen for the lovely article on Jonie. She was all of what you wrote and more. We will all miss Jonie – especially her great smile! I know that’s what I will miss – it didn’t matter what was going on in Jonie’s life she always had that great smile. I will forever remember the wonderful memories of Jonie as we served together over the years in GFWC Illinois.

The stroke information is so important for all of us to follow.

Candy Godbee

Mar 27th, 2009

9:09 pm

To have known Jonie is a privilege. Her smile was contagious. I will hold fond memories of a great Federation friend. May we all learn from her loss. The day may come that the reminders brought to us from her passing, may be the reminder that helps us to save another. If that happens, Jonie will surely be smiling down, knowing she is still helping her Federation friends.

Thanks, Karen for you part in this tribute.

Mabel Lou Weber

Mar 28th, 2009

5:58 pm

Karen, How thoughtful to do a tribute to Jonie!! Well done.
Mabel Lou

Elaine Bush, GFWC IL

Mar 29th, 2009

1:31 pm

Thanks Karen for the lovely memorial for Jonie. She was a Federation Friend who had a great smile and her quiet ways of working for many in Federation.
Our health is very important for each of us – may her example be a reminder to live each day and take care.

Shelli Fehr

Mar 30th, 2009

6:52 pm

Having known Jonie since becoming a member, her loss is acutely felt by me. It was Jonie who encouraged me to become active at the District level and who kept me active at the State level. Jonie’s creativity was reknown in our area and we will be forever affected by her loss. Jonie is kept alive, however, in the individuals who received one of her organs. Jonie would be so pleased to know her death helped others live!

carol

Mar 30th, 2009

10:37 pm

Karen, So sorry for the loss of your friend. I just lost my father with the same type of bleed in his brain, this is a stroke. I’m quoting The American Stroke Association:
ACT F.A.S.T.= these are 4 danger signs
Face- Facial Droop,uneven smile

Arm- Arm Weakness, Arm Numbness

Speech- Slurred Speech, Difficulty talking or understanding

Time- call 911 and get to a hospital immediately, get treatment with- in 3 hours
We know GFWC can spread the word with this simple statement ACT F.A.S.T.

She has a beautiful Legacy with all of your testimonials!

Judy Junis

May 1st, 2009

11:01 am

I was the person who went to check on Joni that horrible evening. I just wanted to add that I asked Joni to do all the necessary things suggested when you suspect a stroke. She did them successfully, even laughing a bit when she stuck our her tongue and asking, “Did I do it good enough?” Strokes/brain bleeds can move very quickly. Her next sentence indicated that, indeed, her brain was being effected and 911 was called. So correct responses do not always rightly indicate that there is no bleeding. If there is any doubt call 911.

We miss Joni every day. She was such a GFWC advocate and was the one who, by her persistence and consistent keeping in touch, got me involved. I will always be grateful to have known her.