28 Apr BLAIR HENRY, age 3, granddaughter of Mike & Lorie Henry, passed away Tuesday evening – April 7, 2020.
BLAIR HENRY, age 3, granddaughter of Mike & Lorie Henry, passed away Tuesday evening – April 7, 2020.
Mike is the Chair of the Discovery Ministries Board of Directors.
Blair’s strong spirit and loving heart was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.
Now in the arms of Jesus, may she pray for us all.
Please send Prayers and condolences for Mike & Lorie to mshenry@salamanhenry.com
Blair’s Funeral Mass will be Live Streamed at 11 AM on Monday, April 13th: https://www.stmarymagdalen.
Blair Barbara Henry (“BB”), born September 29, 2016, age 3, of Media, Pennsylvania, died at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, from a rare form of brain cancer. She is survived by her mother Catherine “Kate” Fruehwald Henry, her father Michael Sheridan Henry, Jr., and her younger brother, Daniel Franz Henry.
Blair was named after her great-aunt, Blair Ann Henry, who also died at a young age. She inherited her middle name from her great grandmother, Barbara Noone Robins, her great aunt Barbara Malloy, and her great great grandmother Barbara Ditschinger Botscheller.
Blair was the first grandchild of Michael (“Pop Pop”) and Dolores (“Mom Mom”) Henry of Media, Pennsylvania, and Franz (“Otta”) and Marian (“Grandma”) Fruehwald of Glenside, Pennsylvania. She also knew her great grandfather, John (“Hoppy”) Robins and her great grandmothers, Anne (“Gigi”) Henry and Katharina (“Oma”) Fruehwald.
Blair first lived on Woodbine Road in Havertown. She was baptized by Monsignor Michael (“Father Mike”) Mannion at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Havertown. Her uncle, Daniel Henry, and her aunt, Rebecca (“Aunt Becca”) Fruehwald, were her godparents. Blair had five other aunts and uncles, including Josef and Becky Fruehwald, Devin (“Aunt Deydey”) and William Grogan, and Paul Fruehwald.While living in Havertown, Blair spent many days at the home of Kathleen (“Miss Kate”) and Mike Lomas, where she formed close friendships with Jocelyn, Emerson, and Cooper Lomas. In December 2018, Blair welcomed her younger brother Daniel (“Pup”) home to Woodbine Road.
On a family vacation at the Jersey Shore in late July 2019, Blair began experiencing problems with her balance. An MRI performed at Alfred I. Dupont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware revealed a brain tumor in her mid-brain. A biopsy and genetic testing identified it as an Embryonal Tumor with Multiple Rosettes (“ETMR”), an extremely rare and aggressive brain tumor, with a uniformly dismal prognosis and median survival rate of 9 months, regardless of treatment.
With limited options for treatment and poor, but not hopeless, prospects for success, Blair’s parents, in consultation with her expert medical team, led by Dr. Andrew W. Walter and Dr. Sage Green, elected to proceed with intensive chemotherapy. Over many difficult days, Blair’s caregivers at Dupont provided kind, compassionate and loving treatment that her family will always appreciate.
Recognizing the limitations of medical science, Mike and Kate made another important decision when they heard Blair’s diagnosis and prognosis. They decided that, although cancer might dictate Blair’s outcome, it was not going to dictate the way she, and they, lived the rest of her life. Inspired by the philosophy of the Andrew McDonough Foundation, Mike and Kate decided to “live like Andrew”, to “B+”, and to “Win Today”.
When she was released from the hospital, Blair and her family moved in with her grandparents, aunt and uncles in Media, so that her parents could dedicate all their efforts to Blair’s care and making the rest of her life as fun, happy, and meaningful as possible. In September, Blair celebrated her 3rd Birthday in her backyard with a Bouncy Castle and an outdoor screening of her favorite movie “Boss Baby.” In October, Blair visited Disney World with her family, through the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She also had fun at the Zoo, the Aquarium, Hershey Park, the movies and swimming with Donna “Aunt Donna” Spencer.
Blair became a B+ (“Be Positive”) Hero when she was adopted by the Delta Gamma Sorority at Villanova University. She had fun times with her sisters and helped her friend Jacki Dollard in the sorority’s NOVAdance fundraising effort for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
As her health declined, Blair spent a lot of time with Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat, as well as Queen Elsa of Arrendale and her sister Anna. She loved having tea parties with her great aunt Helen “Aunt Honey” Lynch. She enjoyed eating “eggies” and “bagels” and loved the Doughnut Tree that her great uncle Joseph “Grunkle Joe” Robins planted for her and produced a daily chocolate doughnut treat.
In March, Blair received First Holy Communion from her honorary grandfather, Father Jim “Pops” Grogan, who celebrated Mass for Blair in her living room. She received communion several times afterword from her friend Maureen “Aunt Reen” Scheuerman, who is a Eucharistic Minister.
Though brief, Blair’s life was not measured in days, but in numerous moments of personal courage and countless acts of self-sacrificial love. She and her parents received much-appreciated support and encouragement from her extended family, their friends, the St. Mary Magdalen Church and School Community, and countless strangers and organizations.
Blair faced her illness with courage and toughness. She loved fiercely and knew that she was loved in return. You always knew where you stood with BB because she never hesitated to tell you to “Get Out!” when she wanted to be alone. Through it all, she never lost her sense of humor or loving affection for “her people”. She will be missed.
There will be a private service for her immediate family. A memorial mass will be scheduled after abatement of the public health crisis. Those who wish to make memorial donations are asked to favor the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
https://www.beposfdn.org/donate/index-new.aspx
