11/29/2009 6:00:00 AM
Couple tie knot at KRMC
Flame burns brighter after home’s pilot light goes out
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Off Broadway Photography/Courtesy
L Alan Book and Mary Jo (Joanne) Degaro were married at Kingman Regional Medical Center Nov. 20. |
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KINGMAN - No one understands "Til death do us part," more than L. Alan Book and Mary Jo Degaro.
The pair were discovered near death after suffering from severe asphyxiation from a gas leak in their home in early October.
The couple had turned on the heat to their home, unaware that the pilot light in the furnace had burned out. Before he lost consciousness, Book, 56, was able to call his mother, who contacted paramedics who rushed to the home.
When Book awoke in the hospital, he had one person on his mind.
"I want to marry Mary Jo," were his first words after regaining consciousness.
Before the accident, Book had been on a waiting list for a liver transplant. The gas poisoning had not only severely crippled his already ailing liver, but the infection began to spread to his kidneys and he was suffering from internal bleeding. Doctors weren't sure how long he would survive.
Degaro, 50, was also severely affected, including suffering some brain damage. She spent three days after the accident in a hyperbaric chamber.
Book describes his condition as terminal but said he was determined to marry his girlfriend before he passed. So on Nov. 19, he proposed. Degaro, of course, accepted, and the next day, the two were married on the second floor of Kingman Regional Medical Center.
Hospital staff learned about the impending nuptials and turned the hospital floor into a wedding chapel, funded by efforts by Case Manager Jaime Radich and Nursing Manager Lynette Garman. The nurses paid for the bride's veil, a photographer and a non-alcoholic champaign toast. The hospital cafeteria even prepared a special two-tiered wedding cake.
The couple's friends, family, nurses and other KRMC staff attended the ceremony, which was officiated by Rev. Mark Rice of Journey Church.
Book said he couldn't imagine going to the other side without having his relationship with Mary Jo recognized by God.
"It was the most beautiful, most fantastic thing ever," Book said of the ceremony. "My bride, Mary Jo, just looked so beautiful and radiant. We'd hadn't seen each for several days so it was really special."
After the wedding, Book's health steadily improved and he is set to move to the Desert Highlands rehabilitation center where his new bride is already a patient.
"All she wants to do is hold his hand and take care of him," said Book's mother, Jeanne Taylor. "She's taken care of him for seven years. They take care of each other."
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Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
hornett
Cool story
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Articles like this touches my heart.Yes they must have been in true love.
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Aztec
Yes, live in sin and then make it "until death do us part" moments before what you believe is your death. Storybook, I tell you, storybook.
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Christina
This is such a sweet story!
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Desert Highland's staff should also have been mentioned in this article. They made sure that Mary Jo had her hair done, had a nice dress and was able to come to the hospital for the ceremony.
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Jaime Radich
I am so happy I could be a part of this. Everyone pulled together quickly and made this wedding happen. Times like these are what make my job worth it...
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Gloria
Special thanks to KRMC, Jaime and Nancy and all staff Including all helping Mary Jo & Alan at Desert Highlands Rehabilitation Center! We love you both- your sis Gloria.
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Donald
I wish the happy couple the best. They are truly meant for each other.
I personally know "till death do us part". My dear wife of 21 years died of cancer 12 years, 6 months and 24 days ago. We were married for a brief twenty one years. I still miss her dearly.
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Lynda B. Thornhill
What a wonderful story. If there was more of this kind of love in the world today, what a different world it would be.
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Debra Rincon Lopez
This is true love at it's best! What an inspirational story!
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Angyl
that is so sweet!! Glad to see the paper isnt always bad news!
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
crystal
THAT IS ADORABLE! :)
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
This is the kind of story I would like to read more of. The blessing of God and true love. Thank you for printing this event.
Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Article comment by:
chachas
Such a precious story. May they have eachother for many years to come. I pray they will meet in Heaven someday.
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