Woman casts her vote despite health issues

COEUR d'ALENE - Mike Achenbach has always been proud of his sister.

But perhaps never more than on Election Day.

"She really is amazing," he said Tuesday.

Here's why.

Since Marlene Endicowas diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three weeks ago, and it has continued to spread, she has grown weaker each day. Her brother said she likely doesn't have long to live.

Endico has been on morphine to ease her pain, her brother said. Monday night, she announced she was voting.

And despite her worsening condition, she did just that Tuesday morning. With help from her daughter, she made it to her polling site in Hayden, where poll workers accepted her ballot at the curbside.

The effort drained her.

"That wiped her out pretty good," Achenbach said.

His 60-year-old sister, he said, loves her country. She has always taken voting as a privilege, and has long called on family and friends to take part in electing public officials.

Her resolve shone through Tuesday - an example for others, her brother said.

"She always does her part," Achenbach said.

By casting a ballot today, Endico believes she makes a difference for tomorrow, too.

"I'm extremely proud of her," the Coeur d'Alene man said. "One of the last things she does is vote."