In memory of my mother Mary, 1926-2007.

After a nearly four year battle with advanced breast cancer, my mother passed away peacefully and quietly at 2;15am this morning.  She had begun failing a week ago when we were there visiting her for Christmas and had gone down hill quite rapidly in the week since then (has it only been a week?) .  I had been in Maine since Friday with my brother at her bedside, and she knew we were with her.  Last night we made the decision that I would come home and we would start preparing to start switching off days.  (I got to come home so I could vote tomorrow in the primary!)   he stayed with her.  She had not been responsive or conscious since Saturday morning.   -- he had gone back to the hotel for some sleep and they called him at midnight to come in. At 2:22 i woke up. at 2;24 he called me to let me know she was gone. She was surrounded by photos of her family and she now joins my dad and my sister and is finally at peace.  We believe her services will be the end of this week but at this point don't have any details.

Thank you for all your prayers and support during this intensely difficult time and for all your good thoughts and support during her illness.  I should be back around in a week or so.