Lena Day O'Hara

Lena O'Hara, 66, of Topeka, KS died on the day after her birthday April 27, 2014, at Stormont-Vail Hospital. She is survived by her husband Michael and sons Steven and Patrick. To see Patrick's birthday present to his mother go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Xd8cxDZ4s&feature=youtube_gdata Another video that the family suggests, shows Lena's spirit as her son is interviewed by WIBW. It can be seen here: http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Beating-The-Odds-On-And-Off-The-Field-247409361.html She was born April 26, 1948 in Agana, Guam the daughter of Herbert and Magdalena (San Nicholas) Bloesser. Lena was a 1967 graduate of Ft. Scott High School and a 1970 graduate of the Mercy School of Nursing both in Ft. Scott, KS. She was a Registered Nurse at Stormont-Vail Hospital where she was on the surgical floor and later became the evening charge nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. In 1972 she moved to Wichita with her husband who was attending WSU and worked as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at Wesley Medical Center until 1980 when they returned to Topeka. After returning to Topeka she worked in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab for two years and then at Stormont-Vail in the Cath. Lab. In 1984 she moved to Fort Worth, Texas and worked in the Cath. Lab at Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital while her husband worked as an enforcement lawyer for the SEC. In 1986 they returned to Topeka and she again worked in the Cath. Lab at Stormont-Vail Hospital. 1n 1989 she and her husband adopted twin sons, Patrick and Steven, and they moved to Cleveland, OH so her husband could work as the regional attorney for the NASD. Lena was a full time stay at home mom until 2003 at which time they returned to Topeka and she became the Supervisor of the Cath. Lab at Stormont-Vail. In 2005 she transferred to the Surgery department. In 2007 she became an analyst in the Information Technology Department supporting the computer operations of the Surgery Department and from 2009 until a week before her death she was an analyst for a program used by all of Stormont-Vail Hospital. Lena loved animals, gardening and was passionate about sports, particularly the KU basketball program. Celebration of life visitation will be held from 1:00 until 3:00 pm. Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. The O'Haras were of Irish extraction. The custom for the Irish is to have a wake before the funeral. At an Irish wake, the friends and loved ones gather informally, maybe have a drink and entertain each other with stories about the deceased or relate their experiences. It is not a party but an opportunity to remember all that was good and let the bad take care of itself. The point is to have and share pleasant memories not to be sad. The Celebration will, in fact, be a good old fashioned Irish wake. Last month she was interviewed by Justin Surrency when she was receiving treatment. To see the interview go here. http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Beating-The-Odds-On-And-Off-The-Field-247409361.html The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Jimmyv Foundation at www.jimmyv.org. Lena was inspired by Jim Valvano a National Championship basketball coach who died of cancer some years ago. The Foundation was of special interest to her because of the connection to basketball. It was also important because 100% of all contributions go to fund cancer research as administrative costs are covered by a separate foundation. http://www.jimmyv.org/about-us/remembering-jim/jimmy-v-espy-awards-speech/