A last packed house for Gene Glave

Sunrise Presbyterian, Sullivans Island, S.C.

Gene could pack a house until the very end and was sent off in a way that would have delighted her. Friends from the theatrical world, Dragon Boat paddlers, church family and fellow nurses filled the church on Sullivan's Island this afternoon.

Gene's close circle of friends remembered that she claimed she wanted her funeral full of women in colorful prom dresses and facebook has been buzzing with messages posted from dressing rooms in Goodwill stores around town. Party City had pink boas. One gal wore her Mother of the Bride dress. One squeezed into her pink junior prom frock. I held out okay through the service but the sight of these loving women who have been feverishly distracting themselves from their sorrow by shopping to please Gene in this last request almost did me in.

Gene Glave - a sad loss

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

A little healing doggie luvin'...

Gene & Ellie, Charleston, S.C.

My friend Gene is going through a ruthless series of chemo treatments. When Gene went through breast cancer a few years ago, she created a one woman show about her year with cancer that was sold out at each performance, became a Piccolo Festival featured performance and she is still in demand as a keynote speaker at conferences.

Sadly, her story wasn't finished and she is bravely doing battle again.

Gene's friends have rallied and pronounced Wednesday's Fight Like a Girl - Team Gene Day wearing pink to work and offering support. I looked up this week to see that Pet Therapist Caroline Hunt had brought Ellie for a visit sporting a colorful pink bandanna.

Ellie was just the ticket. They snuggled and rubbed noses and then she melted into Gene's lap in the most perfect way as if she knew exactly what was needed. Gene gave us permission to post the photo on her Team Gene facebook site. Prayers and well wishes gratefully accepted. Go Team Gene! We love you!