The death of mother and businesswoman Elaine Finkbeiner in an Edmonton hospital Thursday, Jan. 22 has left many in shock.
Finkbeiner (51) was exercising at a downtown gym on Wednesday, Jan 21 when she suffered a major brain aneurysm.
She was instantly provided with CPR intervention by her trainer before being transported to by EMS to Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, where her heart stopped, but her heartbeat was later restored.
Ponoka hospital staff worked intensely for about 30 minutes to get Elaine’s Finkbeiner’s heart pumping again, explained Elaine’s husband Jim. Their efforts succeeded in reviving her heartbeat, but her condition required surgery. She was then transported by STARS Air Ambulance to the University of Alberta Hospital.
Her husband Jim said if it wasn’t for her trainer Brett McCaughey, who performed CPR on Finkbeiner at the time of the aneurysm, the story would have been different. He says the entire family owes her a debt of gratitude for giving them a chance to say a proper farewell.
Although she was on life-support and could not respond, everyone close to her, including their dog, Cinch, was able to see Finkbeiner in her Edmonton hospital room during her last hours. There were 30 friends and family at the hospital when Finkbeiner died.
“She was gone by Thursday night,” said Jim. “We had to let her go.”
Finkbeiner was only alive with the help of life-support but doctors said there was no activity in her brain. Jim said he spoke with daughter Dusty and son Wacey about Finkbeiner’s chance of survival and they all agreed she would not want to live that way. “Outside of a miracle, I knew the path we were taking,” Jim said.
“For me to say, ‘It’s time,’ will be 10 times the toughest thing I had to do,” he explained. “It’s not a decision that could even compare.”
“Mom was so full of life and full of energy that to live in the state she was in, she would never want that. She looked so beautiful and at peace that we totally were on the same page,” added Dusty.
The circumstances of her passing are something the family will always remember. Just before Jim asked the nurse to start removing Finkbeiner’s life support, a person in an adjoining room started singing and playing guitar. He asked this individual to play Sweet Caroline, by Neil Diamond.
“It was like we had our own, beautiful service right there,” said Jim.
At the moment the last note was played, the nurse pointed out to Jim that Finkbeiner’s heart stopped beating at the same exact moment.
Cinch, the family dog was also able to say goodbye. Jim brought Cinch to the hospital in Edmonton and into Finkbeiner’s room. “He was dragging me,” said Jim.
“He jumps up on the bed and started inching his way up . . . and gave her one little bump to the chin with his nose and he just laid back,” said Jim.
Doctors pulled life support in the late afternoon of Jan. 22. “It was her favourite time of day,” said Dusty.
“Although it was the worst day of our lives, it couldn’t have gone more beautifully,” she added.
Honouring Finkbeiner’s life
Despite the shock and sadness, the family has decided to take a positive view of Finkbeiner’s death. Dusty said that they want to celebrate her life as best they can.
Jim is grateful he and his wife were in a positive place in their lives and that no words of anger were uttered before she died.
“She taught me to be strong and be positive,” added Dusty.
Son Wacey said what he would remember the most strongly about Finkbeiner was how driven she was to succeed. She always had a positive outlook on life, he added. Finkbeiner also supported him with his bull-riding career.
She taught him “If you put your mind to it, anything is possible.”
“She was the most honest, loyal, beautiful individual you could ever meet,” said her best friend of 39 years, Vicky Robinson.
Ponoka has always been her home. Finkbeiner studied at Mecca Glen School and had a successful retail business in town with some other business partners. Jim said Finkbeiner kept busy with several projects, including their ranch, which has seen steady growth over the years.
The biggest lesson Jim had from this experience: “Tell your loved ones you love them every day because it can be so quick.”
“She was definitely the backbone of our family,” said Jim.
The only thing he and his children are saddened about is that Finkbeiner will not be able to see her grandchildren.
“Mom would be the coolest grandma in the world,” said Dusty.
Friends, family, business owners and more have been in contact with the family to show their love of Finkbeiner. Jim said the support has been overwhelming. The family anticipates many people will want to attend her service, which is planned for Saturday, Jan. 31 starting at 4 p.m. at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.
Anyone wishing to make donations for Finkbeiner can send money to STARS Air Ambulance.