Mom, coach succumbs to rare disease

Carson Valley resident Tina Logan died at her home after fighting a rare, degenerative brain disease for more than a year.

She died Sunday within a few days of visiting with friends, family and "putting things in order," said her husband, Keith. She was 37.

Tina Logan had Huntington's Chorea, a heritary, degenerative brain disease causing deterioration in intellectual capacity, emotional control, balance and speech.

She is survived by her immediate family - Keith and their two sons, Kacy and Trevor, as well as her parents and siblings.

Keith said Tina was comforted by visits from family and friends.

"The community support was wonderful throughout (the illness) and it has been since she passed," he said. "All in all, she had a wonderful life. I just wish it was without all the pain. ... The Lord took her before it got way bad, just like she wanted."

A service is planned today at Carson Valley Christian Center, 1095 Stephanie Way. Visitation will be tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Walton's Chapel of the Valley funeral home in Carson City.

Keith said he is focusing on the good times he and Tina shared as he adjusts to her death.

"The hardest thing is she won't be here any more. She's not laughing when you walk through the door," he said through tears. "We always tried to laugh and have fun, and throughout all this, I think we learned a big message about compassion, to take the time to learn and enjoy things.

"I think we'd be better off thinking about the joy of knowing someone, instead of the sadness of losing them."

The community rallied for Tina as the disease progressed. Carson Valley Sertoma coordinated a work project to add a concrete path and accommodate a wheelchair ramp at the Logans' home. A teddy bear manufacturer donated proceeds from some of its sales to the family, and others planned a benefit dinner.

Tina was active in the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Carson Valley Soroptomist chapter and a past member of the National Legal Secretary Association. She taught a course in law office management at Western Nevada Community College, coached baseball and soccer and was formerly an editor for the Nevada Supreme Court.

She was a lifelong Nevada resident and a 1982 graduate of Whittell High School.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Family Support Council of Douglas County, 1255 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville.