October 25, 2012
Last Flight
Dear All,
This is Heather, PDXFirefly’s daughter again. I am sorry to say, that my mom, and your dear friend has left on her last flight in this world. Her flight departed on Sunday evening, just before 7pm. She had her seatbelt buckled, her tray was stowed and her seat was, well in this case, very much reclined. She was calm and peaceful and serene. I am sure she had a fantastic view of the clouds on her last flight. She was surrounded by my brother, me, her little dog, Mercedes, and a fantastic woman, Kori, who was taking care of us all.
Her last days were filled with family and friends. One of my favorite memories, from Friday afternoon, was sitting around her bed, with two of her friends as she got a pedicle – teal of course. We chatted and laughed, and it felt like any normal friday. Except it wasn’t. It was mom’s last friday. Saturday, my brother brough his family over and mom spent special time with everyone. It was her last visit with them. Her brother, Gary, spent much of last week here with us all too. Sad circumstances for everyone to be together, but there was lots of love.
Although not much acknowledged on the blog, my brother, Chad, has been phenomenal in taking care of mom through her battle. I would like to mention her P.E.O. sisters, who have given much much support. I want to thank Dee, her editor and dear friend, for everything. For especially jumping on an airplane with no notice to be with us in mom’s last days. Finally, I want to thank all you, dear readers. For your prayers, for your comments, for your support and for being mom’s friend. I convinced mom to start this blog many years ago and I’m glad she’s been able to connect with you through this medium.
I would like to share stories about mom. So if you have any you’d like to write, on your own blog, or email them to me (heathervescent at gmail dot com) along with any photos, I will try to post them. Through this process, I have gotten to know my mom as you know her. Not just as being her daughter. She was a pretty fantastic mom, and over and over I hear about what a fantastic friend she was as well.
Mom fought a huge battle. She asked for a miracle, and I believe she was given one. That’s why I think she was with us for as long as she was. We all wish she was with us now. And in some ways, I like to think she is. I don’t know about you, but I have a version of mom in my head. It’s not the full mom, just the person I know. I can always talk to that person in my head. It won’t be the same as calling her up on the phone, like I did a couple weeks ago. But it’s better than nothing. I will miss her a lot.
xo for now,
-Heather
Gracia said,
October 25, 2012 at 8:23 pm
She is a very strong woman. She is in God’s hands now. Be strong.
Mike bradford said,
October 25, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Heather, Thanks so much for your wonderful sharing and beautiful message. Know she was loved by so many. Your mom gave me strength when my now little problems were at times overcoming. Bless you and your family in these difficult times. I will always remember your mom’s captivating smile.
Dee Cohler said,
October 26, 2012 at 12:14 am
Thank you, Heather. It was such an honor to be with your Mom and with you and Chad, and I will treasure the memories of sharing Pam’s final days. What lessons I learned from her. She has been so proud of you and Chad, and over the last week I certainly saw why. I’m grateful to have been a part of your Mother’s final flight, and I bet the homecoming was a joyous occasion for her. Much love to you and Chad and also to Shanon.
~~Dee
Gail Rappa said,
October 26, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Heather and all,
I am so sorry to hear of Pam’s passing. I knew she was ready and close to the final, when you first wrote. She succeeded in this battle far longer than some with her diagnosis. Her belief in God, new grandchildren and family kept her going. She was strong willed and determined.
I will miss her….she was SOME roommate at the Ovarian Cancer conferences. I do hope you will keep her legacy going by promoting her book and letting more people know her. Save all the comments you get from her followers..for her grandchildren….so they will know just how great she was.
I will be sending a memorial to her to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Sincerely,
Gail
Anita said,
October 28, 2012 at 6:49 pm
I will be continuing in prayer for all of you.
Thank you for letting us know.
Eleanor Boyd said,
October 28, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Thank you, Heather. I felt like the time was near because of not hearing from her this month. I just got back from Israel, and am very saddened by the loss of my cousin, Pam, who I got to know so much better this past year. And I was blessed to spend the time with her in Dallas in August – great memories!
May you and your family be blessed with the peace of the Lord, as your Mom was. Feel free to keep in touch.
Mary Russert said,
October 29, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Heather,
You and Chad should be very proud of the strong woman your mother was. She was determined to fight the hard fight AND help other people.
May God hold her tightly in her arms as she now has no more pain. May you find a smile to put on your face from the memories you have.
Mary
jj said,
November 1, 2012 at 10:56 pm
I’m sorry to hear of Pam’s passing. How wonderful that she could be surrounded by so much love. Will there be a memorial in the Portland area?
Prayer for you all.
mj said,
November 4, 2012 at 2:06 am
My heartfelt condolences to Heather, Chad and family. May you find and experience deep deep peace found in the river of God.
Michele said,
November 5, 2012 at 11:02 am
The last time I saw your mom was in airport. She was going one way on the escalator and I was going in the opposite direction. We yelled hello, how are you and good-bye until neither of us could see each other. Our main connection years later was her blog. I will miss my morning coffee while reading her latest news. Love…Michele
Charles Mosley said,
January 22, 2013 at 11:01 am
I met your mother once while in church, she helped me in a time of grief. She had a lasting affect on me. I am stronger for that encounter. I am a great fan of her blog. She is a great woman. She touched the lives of so many in an inpiring way. Now she does God’s work in another medium.