Story
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The outpouring of love and support since Mom’s passing have been a much needed reminder that in general, people are kind, and it is okay to let them care about you. Thank you.
Many have asked how they can help my family during this unimaginably tragic time. I haven’t known what to say other than to please grant us grace and patience, as our world has been completely turned upside down.
To those who have sent cards and donations already- from the bottom of my heart thank you. Hearing how much my mom’s presence affected so many has been a huge source of comfort. It is a testament to her legacy that so many people care and want to help us.
A difficult acknowledgement to make during this time is that there are now funeral bills and medical bills left behind. Bills that weren’t supposed to be paid for a very long time.
That is the intended use of this fund.
Any help in getting the financial reminders of her passing out of our lives will be a much appreciated helping hand.
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Mom was incredibly private, so many have also expressed they were unaware of her cancer. If you fall into this group, I’d like to share a little of what she was going through. She kept it private on purpose, so with respect to her, I say this only to express how sudden her loss was for us.
Since her diagnosis, we’d had no reason to believe that she would not still have a very long, albeit different, life with us.
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October of 2023 my mother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In spite of this, she fiercely rejected any reason that she should slow down, take a break, or ask for help. So she told very few, and if she did, I bet she asked you to be hush hush about it.
She was brave, and she was determined that her life would not end early. She was bright and colorful and lit up a room, but she hated being the center of attention. She never wanted anyone’s pity, and she didn’t want anyone making excuses for her (even when I told her repeatedly that cancer was a really valid excuse).
Every two weeks since her diagnosis, she had intense chemo. She had numerous invasive intestinal surgeries and hospital visits. Many discussions about course of action, and changing treatment plans. More diet changes than I can count. It took a toll on her body, but never her spirit. She was showing cancer who’s boss, to put it lightly.
She maintained her position as Executive Director for Summit Arts, worked from home, stayed an involved mother, wife, and daughter. Through immense pain, sickness and adversity not only did she continue showing up, she did an outstanding job.
Gradually, the signs of cancer became smaller and smaller. She was constantly impressing her incredible doctors. She had responded so well to treatment that it was decided around this past Christmas that she was going to be on the same biweekly chemo schedule indefinitely, to keep the cancer at bay. She was given permission to ring the bell.
Life would be different, but we got to keep her. The words we stuck to were “long and happy, just different.” It was supposed to be a lot longer than another few months.
In the end, she gave it all the strength she had. She beat cancer. She tried her hardest to stay with us, but the toll on her body was immense.
On Tuesday, April 29th, at 2:12pm, her heart unexpectedly gave out in a routine surgery.
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Details will follow, but we will be having a sort of non-traditional service in the coming weeks. She asked to be cremated, so in lieu of bouquets we will be displaying her vast amount of floral paintings around her urn.
She was preparing for her first ever exhibition of her own work, and we believe it should be displayed. And most importantly (per her request), we ask that you wear anything other than black to the service. She firmly believed that a party in her honor should be a vibrant and colorful affair. “The more color the better.”
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To anyone that would ask, she would say her only concern was always her family. Her purpose in life was us, and ours was her.
For all that have reached out personally- thank you. Your love is returned tenfold.
-Emma