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Monday, July 18, 2011

safe travels, mama.



last night, on saturday july 16, 2011, my mother succumbed to the cancer she has been battling for just shy of a year and passed away. she fought hard and kept her head above water and was doing very well for most of this time. all of this changed about a week ago when she took a rapid down turn. it all happened very fast. her passing came swiftly and without pain. although it is a blinding shock to the family, there is great comfort to be found in these facts.

i could go on about my mother's influences on me but the basics amount to this - she taught me most of my craft skills, filled my life with making and always support even my most wild creative impulses and "career" choices.

my father took that picture above before i was born. they maintained a strange yet great relationship throughout their lives even though their marriage lasted only a couple of years into my life. i can only hope and imagine that they are now irritating one another in the great beyond.

me, i am off to the northwest to be with my family and say my goodbyes.

i am sure this comes as a shock to those of you who knew my mother and am sorry if this posting is bringing you the news. she seemed so full of life and tenacity that her disappearance from this mortal coil still seems impossible to me.

my mother had so very many friends, colleagues and acquaintances that i feel overwhelmed with the task of spreading word of her passing. please help if you can. my family is planning an informal wake/open house this thursday in vancouver. i will share more details as they emerge. i, for one, plan to laugh through tears, make terrible puns and share long stories - just as she would have wanted (and done).

anne theresa hershoran garber
1946 - 2011

you are loved, missed and not forgotten.
i will see you in my weird hairline, pointy face and huge teeth every day.

20 comments:

Cheddah said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad a couple of years ago. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through, but he is in a better place. The fact that they are gone does not get easier with time, but it becomes easier to accept. Remember all the good times, and I do hope you are okay.

Unknown said...

I love you, Becky.

Jill said...

Yeah, what Serena Marie said. We love you.

roisin said...

lots of love from Ontario. Have a friend hug you for me!

angelune said...

Oh Becky, what sad news. Lots of love from Ian and I *Cyber hugs*

Rhya said...

Becky, what beautiful words about your mother. i am so very sorry for your loss. take care! much love rhya

Shannah said...

(Hugs) from the Burton family.
You've perfectly written a tender and sweet tribute here. Lots of love and comfort your way.

Malinda said...

virtual hugs from California - my condolences to you and your family. I can't even imagine how hard this must be for you all.

Tara Bursey said...

Needless to say, I'm so sorry to hear about this. Your mother was a seriously cool cat and I will fondly remember the 2 or 3 hilarious and fascinating exchanges I had with her.

Love ya and see you in October.

T

xo

anabela / fieldguided said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Becky. I looked at your mom's personal blog a few times (I think you had linked it here) and was always impressed by her humour & intelligence.

neonfoxtongue said...

I am so very sorry, Becky. My thoughts are with you during this sad time. xx

Lynne said...

Hey, Becky. See you on Thursday. xo

Anonymous said...

It is such a shock that she is gone. I was a great admirer of Anne's column. I am a cancer survivor myself and understand what you are going through.
Eileen Clyde (Kevin Barker's sister)

Missy said...

We are thinking of you, Becky.

Betsy said...

My heart breaks for you. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you and your family in the days and weeks ahead. Take care.

shannongerard said...

Becky, I love you so much. You are my inspiration in so many ways and I am thinking of you and (and John and Kit) every minute with such tenderness and hope for your futures. I would do anything to help, just say the word.

Rose said...

Becky, I'm so so sorry to hear this about your mom. Kate and I are thinking of you and sending lots of love your way.

DEADWEIGHT said...

So sorry to hear of your loss, Becky. Sounds like she was an amazing woman. Much love from here to there. xo

Kevin Eastwood said...

Becky: my deepest condolences. I was (strangely) just thinking about your mother this morning (I was remembering an old article she wrote) and then I saw this sad news on your blog. Maybe all the loving memories of her that must be out there right now made me think of her out of the blue. Suffice to say, I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

You, your family and your mother will be in my thoughts. luv, kev

Lisa PN said...

dear sweet becky,

i am so sorry for your loss. i remember meeting your mom once, and we had such a lovely yet quick chat. it struck me how much you and your mom were alike. smart, witty and stunning. i send you hugs and love.

l.