We Will Miss You, Dru!

One week ago, on Sunday, February 3^rd, 2013, my sister-in-law (and Mark’s sister) Dru passed away peacefully at home in Greenwich, Connecticut. For three years she fought against ovarian cancer and after many ups and downs, she lost. Cancer is a nasty enemy and even the strongest, nicest, sweetest, most alternative, careful and healthy people lose.

Mark went back to the United States from January 23^rd to February 1^st to be with her and helped her through the worst week of her (and his) life. They were able to say goodbye to each other, while I stayed behind and took care of Irie. My thoughts were with them, while my “empty” body remained in Panama. I have great memories of being at her place and spending time with her and her husband Brian.

This is a very tough period for all people involved. Today, the memorial service for Dru took place in Boston, Massachusetts. We tried to follow it over the phone, candle burning. It is very hard to lose a loved one – yet another one – and we have been thinking about our family a lot. Dru was a wonderful, interesting, smart, strong, kind and beautiful person who knew what she liked, who loved her family and who wanted nothing but good things for all living beings. She will always be in our minds and we will miss her tremendously.

Dru and niece Jo in Newburyport, 2007.

Dru and youngest niece Suzie in Newbury, 2007.

Dru and her two brothers Tim and Mark at their parents' 50th anniversary (2007). 

Dru and the family at the rehearsal dinner of her daughter Chelsea (2009).

Dru and Brian dancing at Josh & Chelsea's wedding in 2009.

Dru and husband Brian at Chelsea's wedding in Boston.

Chelsea, her mother Dru and Mark in Greenwich, CT (Fall 2010).

Dru, when I visited her last in the summer of 2012.

Staying over at Dru and Brian's place (summer 2012).