Dear Friends and Followers of Lisa’s blog,
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, there haven’t been any recent
posts to Lisa’s blogs, Michigoose’s Gander at Quilts & Life and Long Time
Living: Living with Breast Cancer. Lisa
spent a week in the hospital at the start of October and entered hospice on
October 5th. Sadly, she lost
her battle with cancer the following day.
Lisa’s family and close friends were with her and her release from pain
was peaceful.
I had texted Lisa as soon as I learned she was in
hospice. Lisa’s husband, Carlos, found
time to call me and let me speak with Lisa.
Though she was unresponsive at the time, I’m certain Lisa heard me, and
understood me, as I told her she was widely respected, admired, and loved.
Like many of you, I met Lisa over the internet. I’m not sure how I came across her blog, or
how she came across mine, but I’m so thankful we connected. Our friendship started as simple blog comments
on art and life. We soon discovered we both had daughters who seemed to be injury-prone
and I understood what it meant to have a mother battle breast cancer while I
looked on as a teen. Soon our exchanges
became more personal. Lisa and I talked on the phone at length, and even
managed to meet up at a quilt art conference.
Through our conversations, I got to know more about this
incredible woman who shared so much with so many. She was a voice of reason and
restraint when it came to debates and lively discussions on quilting group
forums. She was a tireless volunteer,
pitching in to work at quilting booths and organizing local art groups. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of plant
life and a tremendous green thumb. Even when she couldn’t garden as much as she
wanted to due to the painful side effects of her cancer treatment she still thought
of others, dividing over-reaching plants and sending the extras to liven up new
homes. And Lisa never failed to share her knowledge
and experience of living with cancer.
She offered endless advice on treatments, managing insurance red tape,
and the emotional side effects of living with cancer. She understood hope – and believed strongly
in the will to survive. Lisa believed
strongly that late stage cancer victims needed as much help as those who
benefitted from early detection. Lisa
didn’t believe in panic; she believed in gathering facts and facing a situation
head-on, armed with as positive an attitude as possible and a strong spirit of
personal advocacy. Yes, she shared
privately how her fingers numbed and wouldn’t cooperate, how her bones ached
and her body was weary, but I don’t recall that Lisa ever let that stop her
from doing what she set out to do; instead, I watched her implement creative
solutions
I know Lisa hoped to be with us longer; there were many
things she still wanted to do. However, I
also believe that she left us knowing that she fought the good fight longer
than anyone ever expected she would. I
also know she was thankful for all her experiences and friends. I hope she can
take a measure of satisfaction now in knowing how wide a net she cast with her
words of wisdom and her friendships.
I miss Lisa terribly, as I’m sure you do as well. I miss our talks, her little quips, her
photos of her garden, and her incredible sincerity and empathy as she shared
stories of her life. I am eternally
thankful to have met her and my life was enriched because of our friendship.
Lisa’s ashes were spread in her beloved Michigan
and I’m confident she’s happy to be at rest there. For those who weren’t able to attend her
service in Ohio, there will be a memorial on May 17, 2013 at the Keeney
Memorial Cultural Center in Wethersfield, Connecticut. The time and details
have yet to be determined. It is our hope that we’ll be able to arrange a plant
and/or bulb exchange among the attendees to celebrate Lisa’s spirit of sharing
and giving. Please offer your thoughts and
ideas on Lisa’s Facebook page; Lisa’s family and friends will be checking her
page periodically.
Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver
than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
-- A. A. Milne – a quote that inspired Lisa during her last battle
This message provided by Vivien. Thank you!
