Local authors publish book in memory of late woman’s impact on community
PHOTO PROVIDED Ken and Jen Schoonover have found comfort in the recently published book, “Addison,” which shows the impact their late daughter had on those around her.
PHOTO PROVIDED The book cover is shown.
PHOTO PROVIDED Ken and Jen Schoonover have found comfort in the recently published book, “Addison,” which shows the impact their late daughter, pictured here, had on those around her.
PHOTO PROVIDED Ken and Jen Schoonover have found comfort in the recently published book, “Addison,” which shows the impact their late daughter, pictured here, had on those around her.
PHOTO PROVIDED Ken and Jen Schoonover have found comfort in the recently published book, “Addison,” which shows the impact their late daughter had on those around her.
PHOTO PROVIDED The book cover is shown.
PHOTO PROVIDED Ken and Jen Schoonover have found comfort in the recently published book, “Addison,” which shows the impact their late daughter, pictured here, had on those around her.
PHOTO PROVIDED Ken and Jen Schoonover have found comfort in the recently published book, “Addison,” which shows the impact their late daughter, pictured here, had on those around her.
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RENOVO -- For one local couple, the release of a new book by local authors Donna M. Kshir and Lee Cougardawn Roberts offers a welcomed form of comfort following the sudden passing of their daughter last year.
Reminding us that not a day goes by without some pain and sadness -- but at the same time teaching them more than they ever thought was possible -- Ken and Jen Schoonover, former Renovo residents who moved to Lock Haven, are understandably still just going through the motions.
A tragic turn of events over just a few days saw their beloved daughter, Addison Deborah, diagnosed with a sinus infection which lead to her untimely death in just a matter of three days on Jan. 26, 2023.
Fortunately the book, simply titled "Addison", offers a form of comfort this Valentine's Day.
The book was compiled by Kshir and Roberts, following the creation of a website where family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances were asked to share photographs and memories of Addison.
The book’s creation, something that her mother Jen, who has already been given a copy, has given her so many things, seeing how much her daughter was loved.
"She touched so many lives, we knew that already, but to actually see it in a book, on pages, including so many people that we never even knew she was having a positive influence on their lives is amazing," the Schoonover's said of the book.
Addison was on the outside a completely healthy 24-year-old last January. She was very committed to her job at the Lycoming County SPCA, where her love of animals was able to guide her career. It really wasn't work, taking care of animals and showing love to those that needed it, it was one of the things that she was meant to do.
Despite doctors' orders to stay home and rest from a sinus infection after mentioning that she didn't feel well -- since she had tested negative for COVID and didn't want to miss work -- she worked a double shift, wanting to work through the discomfort.
The following morning Addison went into her parents' bedroom, asking to go to the hospital because she was laboring to breathe. After a battery of tests at both UPMC Lock Haven and Geisinger in Danville, doctors discovered that Addison had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a rare form of leukemia that can only be detected in a blood test.
As doctors spent the next several hours coming up with a plan for treatment, it became apparent that Addison's body was deteriorating quickly. After thinking she had a sinus infection just days earlier, medical professionals were now informing Ken and Jen that it was a matter of time. On Thursday, Jan. 26, the Schoonovers were now faced with the one thing no parent ever should face.
"She fought fiercely until the end, even after they took her off life support, she tried hard. This was the only fight that she ever lost in her life," Addison's mom said. "I say that with a laugh, but she was a Daddy's girl for sure. Ken taught her how to fight and take care of herself, and she was full of confidence."
With a minute-by-minute struggle since last January, the book "Addison" was a welcomed, small reprieve from grief as Ken and Jen find comfort in seeing that others also considered Addison a blessing in their lives.
"Addison had an undying love for animals, especially all of the special ones. The same for people. She saw and felt things that others didn't, resulting in her always giving so much in life," Jen said of her daughter. "She had so much to give and was such a bright light to keep shining in this dark world that we live in, her work on earth was far from being done."
Addison spent so much time caring for animals that needed attention and love and being a positive, strong influence that her parents have no doubt that whoever met her was better off for it.
"If I had to speak on any regrets in the last 24 years it would be for those that truly lost out on loving, spending time with, not knowing or ever including Addison in their lives. She always reminded us, when having to apologize for others, 'it's their loss to deal with and regret someday mom, not yours, mine or dad's,'" Jen remembers.
Addison went to Renovo Elementary School until the sixth grade before the family moved to the Lock Haven area. She graduated from Sugar Valley Rural Charter School in 2016, and she attended Vet Tech School through Penn Foster while working.
Jen said that when her copy of the book "Addison" arrived by mail that she paused for a moment before opening it. After removing it from the packaging, and holding it in her hands that moment in time became intense, and she became flooded with emotions.
"We were able to see what the majority of people who shared memories had written online. But others emailed Donna directly with their longer submissions so it wasn't until we read the book that it really hit us that we weren't the only ones who saw how special Addison was, even people that didn't know her well saw what a positive and loving person she was," Jen and Ken said of the book.
When her mom is speaking of Addison, her daughter’s love of animals repeatedly comes up. It was of such importance to her daughter's life here on earth, that her parents feel it will surely echo through time and even beyond.
"We are pretty confident that she took over the job of tending to the Rainbow Bridge because maybe those animals there needed her more," Jen said.
Ken and Jen said, "If anyone takes anything from our sudden tragic loss and Addison’s beauty before and after reading her memoir book, we hope that everyone realizes that nothing is promised and please don’t look over or ignore something that may seem so small and unimportant."
The Schoonover's added, "No matter what Addison was faced with, she never gave up, unfortunately until her body was completely exhausted and the Lord needed her more than we did here."
"Addison" was published by Donna and Lee’s publishing company, Northern Books. It is available at Amazon, Lulu, Barnes and Noble and other fine brick-and-mortar stores.
A portion of the proceeds are going to the Lycoming County SPCA in memory of Addison Deborah Schoonover.