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TUCSON — Ryan Spilborghs has lost his biggest fan.
His mother, Essie, died Friday after battling a debilitating lung ailment. The Rockies’ center fielder has left spring training to be with his family. There is no timetable for his return.
Last spring, Spilborghs had his entire family — father Rene, his mom and sister Natalie – move into his home.
Spilborghs went to great lengths to help his mom and moved her to Denver so she could get top care at National Jewish Medical and Research Center, a preeminent respiratory hospital.
Essie Spilborghs had half of a lung removed because of a dangerous microbacterial infection. She also suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
