Mari-Ellen

[electricland]

I learned last night that my cousin Mari-Ellen died.


Mari-Ellen with my cousin Jack, last summer

She had been treated for her second bout with breast cancer (she was in her late 30s, I think). I saw her a little over 3 weeks ago at Jen's party, in great spirits and doing well.

She and her husband Andrew (my actual cousin) were visiting South Africa, and apparently she fainted, and got up, and felt tired and thought she'd have a nap, and just... didn't wake up. Apparently her heart gave out.

I don't know what happens now. Poor Andrew is still in South Africa, I suppose, having to cope.

This isn't a very good tribute. I don't know what to say right now, except I truly don't know why this had to happen. There are so few people out there who can light up a room just by walking into it, who can make everyone around her feel like a special, funny, interesting, intelligent person. I liked her enormously and I don't feel like I got to know her well enough.

This just seems profoundly unfair.

Comments

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Absolutely!

Could be much worse. (Of course, could also be much better, but ya know.)