Sad News...

I just heard from my sister who talked to my Aunt Ennie tonight (Dad's brother's wife) and my first cousin, Robert Ty Stredwick died on Tues. He was 37. He was mentally challenged and was in a nursing home. He had aggressive stomach cancer but evidently he died from a blood clot. He said he was ready to go see Grandpa (who died in 1991).

So sad, as my Aunt has so much on her plate. She barely has time to grieve. I cannot imagine losing my son. She's basically been the primary caretaker for my cousin all 37 years of his life as my uncle is an alcoholic and incapable of being there for his family physically, mentally and emotionally. My Aunt ALSO takes care of her mother who is also in a nursing home AND a sister who has been sick most of her adult life. It's really sad.

I do not believe that my Aunt knows the Lord. I am praying that HE will draw him to her through this situation. My other cousin Tanner, Ty's younger brother is following in his dad's footsteps of drinking too much. I pray that the Lord will reach him as well so that he can be a support to my Aunt.

If you could please pray for that side of my family as they are wandering in the wilderness pretty much. I know the Lord can do great things in their lives and bring healing where hurt and brokenness now resides.

Farewell Ty, dance with the Angels and say Hi to my Daddy for me.

Thanks for your prayers. Heather

Here is Ty's Obituary

ROBERT TY STREDWICK
After a courageous battle with cancer, the Lord chose to peacefully carry away our special angel, Ty, on Aug. 29, 2006. Although Ty was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome, he was in no way discouraged by his limitations. He was born on July 30, 1967, in Bozeman, the son of Robert "Stretch" and Lorene "Ennie" (Gates) Stredwick.
Ty faithfully attended and graduated from Bozeman Senior High School in 1986. Throughout his entire life, Ty exerted a great passion for those around him and everything he accomplished.
Ty lived the dream childhood of any avid outdoorsman with acres of farm fields and trout-filled streams. Ty's main love, beyond his love for animals, was going fishing. Right up to his last few weeks, he was still catching fish out of his favorite fishing hole.
He in time had the gift of a younger brother who grew to be his greatest companion. With the same enthusiasm he showed for fishing, he also displayed in his work ethic. Ty's attention to detail utterly amazed his bosses and coworkers. He worked several jobs throughout his life including: Montana State Highway, Cindy Owens Design, MSU Ag Department, and his favorite -- West Paw Designs. He was absolutely adored by everyone around him.
The Bobcat football and basketball teams lost their biggest fan. Win or lose, Ty defended their honor to the end. Faced with challenges we could never comprehend, Ty showed the rest of us that problems in our "everyday" world were only as big as we allowed them to be.
For the past year-and-a-half, Ty resided at Milky Way Group Home in Livingston. A great big "thank you" to some very special people at Milky Way: Billie, Bev, April, Gloria, Daryl and Rick. Ty loved you all! God bless you!
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Dan and Veronica Stredwick; uncle, Marlan Stredwick; and his buddy, who he is with today, Grandpa George Gates.
Ty is survived by his proud parents, Bob "Stretch" and Lorene "Ennie" Stredwick of Bozeman; his loving brother, Tanner (JoAnn), cousins, Emmet, Tanya, Ashley, Karlee, James David "J.D"; and Tawyna Kent, all of Bozeman. He is also survived by his uncle, Skip (Marriane) Kent and his dear, caring aunt, Angela Kent of Bozeman; his maternal grandmother, Lorraine Gates; and his cousins, Brooke and Heather.
Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Bozeman.
Memorials may be made to the Milky Way Group Home, c/o Counterpoint, Inc., 116 E. Lewis, Livingston, MT 59047