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Mom's 'fighting spirit’ lends hope to all

Kathy Sinewe of Centerville is the Dayton Daily News Mother of the Year. She was nominated by her son Marcus, 19 (left). At right is her husband, Philip. The couple also has a 22-year-old son, Curtis, at the University of Toledo. Staff photo by Lisa Powell

Lisa Powell Kathy Sinewe of Centerville is the Dayton Daily News Mother of the Year. She was nominated by her son Marcus, 19 (left). At right is her husband, Philip. The couple also has a 22-year-old son, Curtis, at the University of Toledo. Staff photo by Lisa Powell

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By Dale Huffman, Contributing Writer 5:47 PM Saturday, May 8, 2010

It was a family tragedy, a traumatic battle with breast cancer, that brought Marcis Sinewe, a 19-year-old Centerville man, closer to his mother Kathy Sinewe than he could have predicted.

Marcus was a main family caretaker for his mom during the two surgeries and a long rehabilitation period of about 18 months.

“My older brother Curtis was away at college, and my father Philip, a fireman, was trying to hold our everyday life together.” Marcus said. “I was the family’s point person to keep mom going. It was quite a challenge. It was a time that could break any person, one I thought could have taken me down. But my mother saved the day. She just kept on being positive. I was supposed to be helping her but she was just so strong. I kept thinking she was such an incredible role model for mothers and for people fighting a critical illness.”

Based on the description of her mothering style, and her “fighting spirit” as provided by her family, co-workers and friends, Kathy Sinewe has been selected from approximately 440 women who were nominated, and will reign as the 2010 Miami Valley Mother of the Year. This project is a 42-year tradition at the Dayton Daily News.

Marcus, who is completing his freshman year at the University of Toledo, was a senior at Centerville High when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago.

“It was the toughest time in her life, and the roughest for our family,” Marcus said. “My mother lost all her hair, she could barely eat anything, and she needed to rest on the couch in the living room all the time. We kind of set up ‘mom camp’ there.”

Marcus said, “She was positive even though I could tell she was scared. The uncertainty of it all was horrifying, especially at the beginning.

“She was home alone some of the time, but she would notice when I slipped into the room,” he said. “She would muster strength, lighten up, and cheerfully ask me about my day. I do remember one day when she cried because she could not see me perform at a drum line show. But she smiled when I told her she was there with me, every step of the way, every where that I go I carry the love she taught me in my life.”

Kathy, 49, is a computer technology teacher at both Weller and Stingley Elementary Schools for in Centerville, where colleagues call her “loving, caring and very popular with the students.”

Her husband, Philip, is a firefighter for the city of Moraine. Older son Curtis, 22, is graduating from the University of Toledo, and will has received an invitation to attend the United States Air Force Pilot’s School.

“My mom played a part in my lifelong passion of becoming a pilot,” Curtis said. “She decorated my room with airplanes, and painted the wall Air Force blue. She has taught my brother and has taught me to work hard at what we want to pursue. She said if we work hard, become good people and learn how to care for others, we can succeed. We can survive.”

Curtis said, “One son a pilot. One learning to be a medical technician, and her husband a firefighter. We have a pretty balanced family, and it is a family full of love.”

Kathy is now cancer free, Marcus said. She has regular checkups every four months.

When she was fighting breast cancer, Marcus said, “one day my father surprised all of us.”

He continued, “My dad is pretty reserved and he really never had a tattoo, or really wanted one. But one day he came home from his job as a firefighter wearing a new tattoo. He lovingly got one made. It is a pink cancer ribbon with the words “My Wife, My Hero” on it.

“Curtis and I agree. Mom is a real hero,” Marcus said. “Mom always encouraged the family during any challenges in life, and she is full of ‘positive quotes.’ ”

“When she packed our suitcases for camping trips, or we were heading off to school, my mother would sometimes hide a little note in our back pack. Something like  “ ‘Attitude is Everything’ ”  or “ ‘Go for the Wow factor’ ”, Marcus said. “She is absolutely the most positive person I have ever known. During those long hours we spent together when she was fighting during the cancer, I constantly was reminded no matter how she feels it is important to love others completely and to devote yourself to your family. She taught us how to handle strength, faith and positive things, along with the adversity.

“She is an amazing woman. She’s my top mom, always. I love her and I owe her everything that I am.”

Dale Huffman wants your story ideas. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.

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