Terri L. Kendle

Terri L. Kendle, 42, St. Peters, MO, died Sunday, November 4, 2001 at 7:15 PM at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in room 5937. She died of a form of cancer called Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). She was first diagnosed with this disease on Monday, November 27, 2000. The diagnosis was made while she and her family were visiting her in-laws over Thanksgiving weekend in Plano, Texas. This trip was prompted on the news that her sister-in-law was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Little did she know that before she would leave for home she too would be diagnosed with cancer. Terri returned to the St. Peter's area and started her lengthy treatment on December 1, 2000 at St. Joseph's Health Center under the care of Dr. John Wilkes. She spent nearly the entire month of December in the hospital before being released on Christmas Eve. She returned to St. Joseph periodically in January and February for chemotherapy, red blood cell transfusions, platelets, and bone marrow biopsies. In March of 2001, she was referred to Dr. Randy Brown of Barnes-Jewish Hospital for a stem cell transplant. Her brother, Dan, was found to be a perfect sibling match. The stem cell transplant was performed on March 28, 2001. She remained cancer-free until June 21, 2001. She returned to Barnes-Jewish for additional treatment. At the end of July 2001, Terri was hospitalized again at Barnes-Jewish for a hospital stay that would last nearly 60 consecutive days (only being discharged two separate times for a total of 36 hours at home before being re-admitted). She underwent a Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI) from her sibling donor on September 28, 2001. She also received seven treatments of brain radiation as an out-patient. Sadly, she was hospitalized again on October 29th. However, being home in the month of October was truly a blessing. For the first time, she saw her freshman son, Michael, compete in the Bands of America regional marching band competition for Francis Howell North. She also celebrated her 19th wedding anniversary with her husband on October 30th in the hospital. Regrettably, the cancer was too aggressive to be removed. She was made comfortable by the medical team until her eventual death. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph Health Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital for their dedication, skill, compassion, and true love for Terri. The doctors were swift to take action and the nurses were diligent in their care. Terri was actively involved at New Covenant Church in St. Peters. There she served as the administrative assistant to Elder, Jim Zilinsky. Her role gave her the opportunity to impact many people's lives. She loved to serve with the attitude that no task was beneath her to perform. During her illness, the following verses from the Bible comforted her: ''The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The Lord's right hand has done mighty things! The Lord's right hand is lifted high; The Lord's right hand has done mighty things! I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.'' (Psalms 118:14-17) The family celebrates Terri's eternal life in Heaven, because of the decision she made on May 8, 1965 to ask Jesus Christ into her life and to accept His payment for her sins. The resurrection of Jesus is Terri's guarantee that she will not die but live. Terri and her husband decided to send their children to public schools with the intent of demonstrating to those around them the love of God. Terri served as a Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) officer in several capacities and was frequently seen at Becky-David Elementary School helping in any area of need. When her children were transferred to Fairmount Elementary School, she started right off by being the Treasurer for their PTO even though this was the first year in the building. Her children meant the world to her and there was nothing she wouldn't do for them. She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Randy Kendle, four children; Michael (15), Pamela (13), Kevin (10), and Amy (8). She is also survived by her father, Warren Pickering; mother Doris (Minnick) Pickering; brothers Dan (39) and John (37) Pickering. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America at 77 West Port Plaza #101, St. Louis Missouri 63146, or at any Baue Funeral Home location.