Gene Glave, Charleston, S.C.
Lights burned a little dimmer at Roper St. Francis Healthcare yesterday afternoon when we learned our darling Gene lost her battle with cancer. She passed away, fittingly on a Wednesday when coworkers regularly showed support by dressing in pink in her honor.
I got to know Gene best years ago after she happened to google her name and found sweet things I had said about her on my blog. I'd gather a happy gang of groupies to go to her theatrical performances. Going through the series of pictures I have of her wearing pink wigs, dancing, dressed in costumes, hugging people, I can at least say that we knew we had a treasure when we had her. She was appreciated, loved and supported by everyone who knew her, every day.
In true Gene style, she left a status update message on her Facebook status profile. Pediatric nurse, actress, blogger, dog lover, dragonboat paddler, character extraordinaire and best friend to so many she is going to be missed.
Hello everyone... I wanted to take a moment to talk about life, the greatest of journeys. You have all brought so much enrichment, meaning, love, and light to my life, and to share your laughter, your tears, your joys and frustrations has been a blessing and a privilege to me beyond any measure of thanks in words.
I have gone on ahead now in this journey of life but what I carry is a celebration of our friendships, camaraderie, and love. You can rest assured that we will meet again and until that time I will be watching over and sending my love to each and every one of you. The greatest success in life can simply be measured by how we treat each other along the way and I have been overwhelmed by your selflessness, your caring, your heartfelt love and concern.
I love each and every one of you beyond measure. May God nurture and keep you, and may you keep each other until we meet again ;-) ALL MY LOVE AND THANKS !!! Gene
Well done, Joan.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteS
I offer my sympathy to all those who feel the hole left by Gene's passing.
ReplyDeleteThis lady now in God's retirement system will be sorely missed by her family, "work' family, theater family and church family.
ReplyDeleteWow, that status update brought tears to my eyes. Joan, I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThanks folks. It is all people talked about today. I need to add the funeral info. I'm not sure if people are going to remember to abide by her request that they wear tacky prom dresses to her funeral.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fitting tribute to someone beloved by so many. How wonderful that you were able to describe her so well for those of us who have never had the privilege of knowing her. She sounds like a real treasure. Sorry for the loss to you and everyone else who knew and loved her.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Joan, You have painted her a beautiful tribute. You are amazing. It made me cry and laugh.
ReplyDeletelove Shirley
Kate - she was a character! She lived life to it's fullest.
ReplyDeleteShirley - she was your kind of people :)
Her sign-off is simply wonderful. Thank you for posting it.
ReplyDeleteHer nurses and friends from Roper did infact wear prom dresses to the memorial service as my mom requested, not sure if she was joking or not but there were many times I wasn't sure with her. It's Nice to see she touched so many people. Thanks everyone.
ReplyDeleteLes - she really was a wonderful character.
ReplyDeleteAnon - check my more recent entry for the prom dress photos. I'll try to make sure your family gets them. She is going to be missed by so many.