REFLECTIONS

A waitress at a small, rural cafe in Marine on St. Croix approached a petite, smiling Patti Funni on Nov. 4, 1984, and asked “Did you order liver and onions?”

Patti broke into an even wider smile and let her luncheon friends know that she knew what that message meant. Her order was ready, meaning that she had to rush to the University of Minnesota Hospital to undergo a liver transplant.

Patti was 42 and was in need of a liver transplant. She was suffering from primary biliary cholangitis, a terminal liver disease, and was told she had maybe two years left to live.

Patti was said to have been the longest living transplant patient in the nation at nearly 40 years. Her transplant came from a 10-year-old Texas boy.

“I never thought I’d live to 80,” Patti told a reporter from the Forest Lake Times in May of 2022. She died recently at age 82. She resided in Scandia.

Our 22-year-old daughter Tammi, who also suffered from primary biliary atresia, was befriended by Patti in the early 1990s. I have written about our daughter in many of these Reflections columns.

Tammi died on Aug. 29, 1995, having her second transplant. Patti and Tammi both had their transplants at the University of Minnesota Hospitals.

Patti was an enfeebled 87-pound, mother of four who suffered from life-threatening bleeding episodes, brittle and broken bones, and severe jaundice caused by a terminal liver disease.

Patti was Tammi’s biggest cheerleader on her way to recovery. Tammi met up with rejection that caused her to slip away.

Patti lived a long life that was supported by a strong chain of family and friends. Her family and friends helped her celebrate her 80th birthday in 2022.

Judy and I remember Patti and friends making a large candy card with the message being accented by actual candy bars. Patti shared her secrets to hopefully a happy recovery.

Judy and I wrote a book about Tammi. It was published in 2011. Patti wrote a small piece for our book. She wrote the following as a tribute to Tammi:

“I love the picture of Tammi on the letter you sent to me, as that is just how I see her in my memory of her.

“Our paths crossed when Tammi became ill and was in need of a transplant. I remember quite a few visits at my house with Tammi and Judy and introducing her to some of my other family members. Tammi and I enjoyed a zest for life and living, surviving and a walk of faith in Jesus Christ.

“Little things that I could do to be of help to your family at that difficult time, I tried to do. Visits, the candy bar get well card, which must have brought her a small piece of joy at the time.

“It is hard to walk a path with someone say goodbye. Jesus must know hard our goodbyes are! I remember coming to your house and bringing your small angel to hang on your tree. I also remember you coming to my house when my husband died.

“I pray you enjoy writing the book and bringing forth al the beautiful memories. May angels surround you and may you feel Tammi’s spirit.”