If you felt the earth shift a little on Thursday afternoon, that’s because an incredible force finally surrendered to her 6 year, champion worthy, gold medal winning fight against pancreatic cancer.

Our mom, after almost exactly 6 years and a very rough couple of months, passed away surrounded by family. The doctor said, amongst it all, it was her heart that finally gave out. If you knew her, that will come as no surprise, because although she may have given you an attitude at some point, her next move would be to give you the shirt off her back.

She wasn’t always a patient person, but Mom was a model of compassion, service, and kindness. We can’t even begin to tell you how often she let a stranger in our home, because there was simply a need… how often during chemo treatments she was off helping someone else.

She was stubborn and funny and kind and stern and, even though life was rarely fair to her, she loved deeply. From her earliest days she worked hard to enjoy life, she suffered trials that would break most people. And yet… she enjoyed life. She truly loved it.

We are so grateful for everyone that has checked in, touched base, sent prayers, and loved her. Especially those close, and very old, friends that helped us along the journey. You know who you are. We love you.

We are so grateful to her amazing work friends and customers who were patient and helpful. She worked for and with some of the most compassionate people. Salon Center… you are very much a family company, and your support over this entire fight against the cancer was incredibly generous.

We will be planning a service, a celebration not a mourning. If she ever hung up on you, you will receive VIP seating. We do plan to wait a little while as we want something outdoors and want to give family opportunities to be here. We will post those details as we have them.

She wanted to be cremated and buried with her parents in Oklahoma, and that’s our most pressing task at this moment.

As crazy as this may sound, mom didn’t have anything set aside for burial costs; and it was a hard conversation to start because we never ever wanted her to think about the dying part… we were too busy surviving. We have organized a donation link, if anyone wanted to help out, as the past few months have been costly for us all, in more ways than one.

Thank you so much for being her friend, for loving her, and having an impact on her life. It sounds cliche, but if you knew her, you were lucky.

It’s hard for us to imagine our lives without her. The earth is quieter today.

Love you all.

*Several of you have asked how you can help. This fundraiser will help will cremation and burial costs, and getting her to Oklahoma for that burial, as well as a celebration of life we are currently planning for fall. There is no expectation of donation. ❤️