Rest in Peace, Winnie

On our way home from the airport after a conference in Colorado Springs, we got a call that Winnie Brown had passed away earlier this morning.  She was one day past her 78th birthday.  Winnie died from an extremely rare type of cancer that started in sweat glands on her face and spread via her nerve tissue.  She was told a few months ago that there was no cure for her cancer.  She managed to hold steady for a while but then started to go downhill fast a few weeks ago.  Terry saw her five days ago, just as Winnie was starting 24/7 hospice care at home.  Terry's estimate that it was a matter of hours or a few days proved to be very accurate.

We went over to see Winnie's husband George, their three daughters (Deb, Gay and Cherie) and Jeff (Deb's husband) and spent a little time with them as the reality of it all was sinking in--even knowing for a while that it would be sooner, not later. To varying degrees, they were coping as best as they could while slowly turning to the many decisions and plans that need to get done in the next few days and beyond.

Raising her daughters and then being a major part of their adult lives was Winnie's raison d'etre.  She and George doted on them, making them laugh and cringe in equal measures in the years I have known the Brown family.  Terry was a friend of the Brown family for many years before we entered that circle as a couple.  One of the highlights every year was being invited to the Brown's a few days before Christmas for a gathering of extended family and friends of Winnie and George's.  It was always a day filled with great food, fun stories, bad jokes, wine, Bloody Marys, Obama bashing by George, and reflections on the year just ending.  At the center of it all was Winnie, making everyone feel right at home, and cooking some of her signature dishes that we would remember with sighs and smiles until July, and have great anticipation from then to the coming year's Holidays.

Winnie didn't ask for much in life but what she did want most are the most important things-- the love of family and friends. She got, and gave, a lot that way.

Please keep George and his family in your thoughts.  George is having an especially difficult time coping with their loss and he will need  a lot of TLC in the coming days, weeks and months.

Mike