OBITUARY FOR VIOLETA CARDICH-MCKINNEY

November 26, 2024

"It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good". So observed John Heywood, an Englishman of the 17th century. In our case that wind had a name, that of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. We met after that wind through a mutual friend, both of us working through life-changing events, she caring for her father who suffered a stroke and me, facing a disintegrating marriage.

Years later, after our marriage, it happened that someone remarked about our same birth date. "You two must have a lot in common" she said. Pochi said that we are too much alike. Well, no. She was the gregarious type, always talking, always making new friends, always in touch with her family. Me, I was the quiet one, with a small family and few friends. Time has shown me the error of my ways, specifically just how important family is when things go bad.

I have learned from her passing just how much her caring family means to me. Going forward, this will be her legacy given to me.