Many of you know Cathy, too: you helped raise funds to buy her and her husband, our friend Tim Baskin, a used car, so Cathy could drive to chemo treatments.
Tim wrote this to Allan and I when Cathy was still hanging on:
I got news I didn't want to hear this morning. We've known it was coming for almost 5 years now, but it still hits hard when you get it.
Suffice to say I've spent all day in an ICU room, and the rare moments away from her side have been spent calling family, and the closest friends, who have all congregated like a warm blanket here, and talking and hugging in the waiting room.
I was kicked out of the room about 30 minutes ago and told to stay away until about 9 for shift change, etc. Everyone else had already left to get food, or whatever since they had been kicked out about an hour before me.
With some private time I decided I needed to call a few more people who would be upset if I didn't. Oddly enough, after a couple of those calls, which can be very draining, the next person I thought should know was not a person, but a community. I looked through my address book and there lots of people I need to call, but at this point, none who have been more a part of my life recently than your group. So now you know.
You should also know many times she has expressed her awe and appreciation at the response of this group when she was in need a while back. Almost every single time we got in that car, actually, she said "I just love my car so much. It's made life so much easier" . So thanks for that as well.
And as I said, I don't expect or want anyone to be in a funk all night, I just had to express how much like family this group has come to feel and say thanks. I'm not sure when I'll be back on-line. I guess that depends on how the night goes, but I will keep you posted when I can.
This morning we heard this:
We lost Cathy on Monday, Jan. 12.
We laid her to rest on Wednesday.
When I wrote you last I believe Cathy was in the ICU. She must have been because that's why I was in a waiting room with the laptop, not there with her. Not a very peaceful place, the ICU. She was moved to a nice room with unlimited visitation shortly after and spent her last couple of days completely, and constantly, surrounded by those she loved, and there were a lot of them.
Please know and take comfort in the knowledge that her death was more than peaceful, it was downright beautiful. That may sound odd, but it's so far the only word I've been able to come up with. . . .
Please also know that I am surrounded by an incredible force of loving, supporting, and also grieving souls, and that you and your communities have been a part of that support. I will be fine, eventually.
Most importantly, know that Cathy understood what kind of people you must be. Even though she rarely watched a game, much less participated in the blog, she saw and recognized the connection I felt, and feel, and was thankful for it. Damn girl always has worried more about me than herself. She was honestly excited about the possibility of meeting you some day. . . .
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For those of you who weren't involved in this, the first fundraising post is here (with links to earlier stories and a video of Cathy). Tim's note to us after the fundraising drive is here, and there are updates throughout the October 2008 archives.
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