Sad News from Treefrog Treasures (1 Viewer)

Peter Reuss

Peter Reuss

2nd Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 22, 2005
Messages
3,775
As few of you may know, 11 1/2 years ago my wife (and Treefrog founder) Shannon Reuss was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. For nearly that whole time she has been on some sort of chemo. Some were easy to handle, allowing her to work quite a bit. Others were much more challenging, and she’d have to step back from Treefrog for a bit. Last Friday we learned that the cancer (which has been very slow growing) has suddenly expanded rapidly. There is nothing else that they can do to fight the cancer. Shannon has entered hospice and has 'weeks to months' to live. We are thankful to the whole team at Mayo Clinic (we are fortunate that this happens to be our local clinic!) who have given her such excellent care.

Many of you know Shannon as a forum administrator. Others as the person behind Treefrog's weekly newsletter 'The Rivet.' Chicago Show folks know her as the enthusiastic person in the Treefrog room. Long time customers will even remember the day when she used to be in the office and take phone calls.

Shannon carefully hired a staff who would take her values of customer service to heart. Julie, Jesse, and Aron do excellent work in running the day to day operations of Treefrog Treasures. That will not change one bit.

Shannon was fully planning to attend the Chicago Show, but now we see that this will not be possible. I likely will not attend either as my place is next to her side for the time she has left. Julie, Jesse, and Aron will make the journey to Chicago, bringing loads of goodies (and some cool exclusives). The Show will go on!

To allow people to share a word with Shannon, they will be bringing a 'Tribute Book' for people to write memories of Shannon or notes of encouragement.

We have some exciting things in the works at Treefrog and I'm saddened that Shannon will not be with us to be a part of them. Her legacy will live with us as we strive to expand this hobby and 'bring your love of history to life.'
 
This is terrible news.My heart goes out to you and your family.My prayers will be for all of you,especially Shannon.
Mark
 
I have known Shannon for 10 years through this Forum and although we talked a lot about forum business and what was happening in the toy soldier world, we also talked about our families and ourselves, how our sons were doing and how she was doing. I looked forward to seeing her every year in Chicago. Now, sadly, terribly, I won't be able to do that.

I never thought this day would come because in her fight she demonstrated so much grit, pluckiness, humor and fight that I thought she would beat this thing and be around forever. To her cancer was an inconvenience as she built Treefrog Treasures and took over the toy soldier world :smile2: She never showed, at least to me, that she was allowing her sickness to get her down.

I hope that when my time comes, I have one tenth of all the qualities that she showed.

This is just the worst news possible and my heart goes out to Pete, Ben and her family. I had the good fortune to meet her parents in Chicago a few years ago as they helped out and my condolences to them too.

Fight on Shannon. You will always be in my thoughts.

Brad
 
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Words are hard to say or type when you read of something this terrible, my thoughts and prayers go out the Shannon and her family, Shannon is basically why all of us are even on this forum and a huge part of the toy collecting community, she has been nothing but a wonderful host and the few times we have interacted on the phone a real and genuine person which in these days and times are hard to find, again shocked to hear of this today, prayers to Shannon and her family...Sammy
 
I have only known the team at Treefrog for a short time but, in that short time I have gotten to know them well. Shannon and Pete have been so very, very supportive of my new venture and I am grateful for that beyond words. Achieving this has meant quite some communication so, we have done a lot in only a few months.

This is such very sad news and, writing this I feel such emotion. Cancer is a horrible thing, I know personally through family and too many friends how wicked a disease it is.

My heart goes out to all of the family, what they are going through now, we can none of us imagine or offer words to ease. The one thing I do know is that it takes a very special person to reach so many people, to create such a business and family as Treefrog and all that while battling an illness.

Hero is a word often used, most times without the full impact if its true meaning. In this instance I can say, hand on heart, Shannon, you are one of my true heroes. Thank you for all you have done, not just for me but for the whole community. We will all miss you but, you will live on through your legacy and not many people achieve that in life.

Pete. My admiration for you is also high and, as you know, so many people, not just myself, will be and are there for you when you need us.

Please pass on my love to Shannon. It is not over until the fat lady sings and, she may be warming up in that dressing but, it is a long walk to that stage and I know Shannon will be putting trips wires along each corridor :eek:

I send this with much love. God bless you.:salute::
 
Peter Reuss said:
As few of you may know, 11 1/2 years ago my wife (and Treefrog founder) Shannon Reuss was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. For nearly that whole time she has been on some sort of chemo. Some were easy to handle, allowing her to work quite a bit. Others were much more challenging, and she’d have to step back from Treefrog for a bit. Last Friday we learned that the cancer (which has been very slow growing) has suddenly expanded rapidly. There is nothing else that they can do to fight the cancer. Shannon has entered hospice and has 'weeks to months' to live. We are thankful to the whole team at Mayo Clinic (we are fortunate that this happens to be our local clinic!) who have given her such excellent care.

Many of you know Shannon as a forum administrator. Others as the person behind Treefrog's weekly newsletter 'The Rivet.' Chicago Show folks know her as the enthusiastic person in the Treefrog room. Long time customers will even remember the day when she used to be in the office and take phone calls.

Shannon carefully hired a staff who would take her values of customer service to heart. Julie, Jesse, and Aron do excellent work in running the day to day operations of Treefrog Treasures. That will not change one bit.

Shannon was fully planning to attend the Chicago Show, but now we see that this will not be possible. I likely will not attend either as my place is next to her side for the time she has left. Julie, Jesse, and Aron will make the journey to Chicago, bringing loads of goodies (and some cool exclusives). The Show will go on!

To allow people to share a word with Shannon, they will be bringing a 'Tribute Book' for people to write memories of Shannon or notes of encouragement.

We have some exciting things in the works at Treefrog and I'm saddened that Shannon will not be with us to be a part of them. Her legacy will live with us as we strive to expand this hobby and 'bring your love of history to life.'
Click to expand...

Shannon & Peter

My heartfelt thought's & prayers go out to you both.

Peter I have sent you a private message.

God Bless you both.

Bernie (Zulu Dawn)
 
Shannon and Peter

Thank you for everything you have done for this hobby. I am terribly sorry to hear of this immense tragedy and time of sorrow and anguish you are experiencing in your lives. I sincerely wish you and your families peace, grace and comfort through all of this. Enjoy the love and warmth that you have in the time you still have together and laugh when you can and cry when you have to. I hope you find strength and courage throughout the upcoming weeks.

STANDS ALONE
CC
 
Very sad news to hear. I've never met Shannon or Pete or any of the Treefrog Team in person, but feel like I know them in a way with my dealings here on the forum and purchases through Treefrog. They are a wonderful group.

Shannon, you and your family will be in our prayers.

Duke
 
I've known Shannon for a very long time, I think the world of her, I'm a broken man today, just devastated.

Shannon and I used to talk quite a bit, either by phone or by IM, many a time she offered advice and encouragement regarding this business we are both in, I never viewed her as a competitor; I've always viewed her as a friend. She's been a sounding board for me, a friend, someone I could turn to, I enjoyed those conversations very much. She has a way of making me laugh when I need it the most, a true friend and a wonderful person.


It went beyond toy soldiers, we'd talk about other things as well; family, friends, life. I've known about her personal struggle, it never got the best of her, she was always positive and upbeat and she fought this head on.

I always looked forward to seeing her and Pete at Chicago, it was one of the highlights of the show for me. She'd come to my room or I'd run into her at some point and she'd give me that big smile and I'd in return give her a big hug. I had the pleasure of meeting their son Ben several years ago at the show, just a terrific kid, also met her parents as well, very nice people.

I feel lucky, blessed really to have gotten the chance to get to know her, I will cherish that always, she's more than a friend to me; to me, she's one of my sisters.

This hobby and the world are both better places for having her in them.

My heart goes out to her, Pete, Ben, her parents and her entire family; I love you kiddo.................
 
My deepest sympathies. Its times like this when mother nature is her cruelest, but thankfully you had Mayo in your back yard to fight back and give you and your family those special years.
 
A great shock and a very sad day. I thought you would just go on forever. I hope you have a peaceful time at the hospice and are well looked after.

You will be missed. My sympathies to Pete.

Terry
 
this thread is disturbingly sad news...

my sympathies to you and your family...

through the grapevine...
I was aware that Shannon has been dealing with this for some time...
and had hoped she had somehow gotten better...

Shannon...
and both Peter...
have been a part in my daily life's activities by hosting this forum for a hobby that I have become passionate about...

while I had never met Shannon in person...
we have spoken on the phone a few times over the years...
she was always cordial, engaging and helpful in providing any assistance every time I asked for help...

from my personal family experiences...
Hospice has always been a kind and caring organization...
they always treated my terminal family members with respect...
and helping ease the pain in pasing...

Peter...
I hope you share the same helpful experience with them as I have in the past...

God Bless...
 
Peter and Shannon Reuss,

I've been a regular forum member because the treefrog treasures website provides such a warm and welcoming community. Thank you for this.

Sincerely,

Victor Wong
 
I wish I could do or say something that could help. But I know words can only help so much. So I offer my prayers to your family. Brad
 
I am deeply sadden by this news. I called Treefrog after seeing a list of dealers behind a KC calendar. Shannon answered the phone. She was so positive and kind, that I've bought nearly everything from her since then. I became a Forum member and subscribed to Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine because of her. I loved her "Points to Ponder" in the Treefrog newsletter for uplifting quotes. If it wasn't for Shannon, I would never have the connection to meet all the great TS collectors on the Forum. Thanks Shannon, you have certainly improved my enjoyment of life.
 
So sorry to hear this news. Totally blindsided to say the least. It was my first Chicago show and your's to that I met you both for the first time.
Thoughts and prayers are all I can provide right now to you Shannon, Pete and your family. I'm also sending one big cyber hug to you Shannon from one nurse to another.
Brian
 
Dear Shannon & Pete.

NOT the news I wanted to read. I hope for the utmost best, for the time to come. Lots of thoughts and love from Denmark.

The Templar
Aka Heinrich
 
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