With great sadness I announce that Jen Smith, featured in an interview here less than a month ago, died yesterday (September 28, 2013) at the age of 36 from metastatic breast cancer.
Readers who receive these posts by email may not have had a working video link to see a 2 minute video of Jen and her son that was included with that interview. I am including a link to my original post here so you can either read the post if you missed it, re-read it, or just go to watch the video which appears at the bottom. I promise it is worth two minutes of your time. It makes me smile and cry in equal measure every time I watch it. It also tells the story of how Jen found the tagline “Live Legendary.”
The obituary the family posted appears here and you can read how much Jen accomplished in her too-short life. I wish I had known her longer; I am jealous of her friends and family who did.
Over the past few weeks we texted. Some days I just texted her to tell her I was thinking of her. Some days I would get a reply as to how she was doing. Some days I received no reply. Those were hard days as I worried so much about her, knowing she was about to die. I continued to text her almost daily in the last two weeks even when there was no response. My last text to her said, in part, “I cannot help myself from saying I love you for as many days as you are here to hear it.” When you have stage IV breast cancer you bond quickly with others who have it too. I do not know if she read that message.
Jen and I spent the last few months having very serious conversations about life and death. I wish we could have been two friends talking about other topics instead. But I am gratified that we could talk openly about some of the things were on her mind the most as she reached the end of her life.
My condolences to her friends and family including the light of her life, her sweet son, Corbin.
Link to Twitter
Damn. Thank you for letting us know. Another bright light has dimmed, but lives on in those who loved her.
My sincere condolences to you and to her family. She certainly lit up this earth in the short time she was here. xo
Sending love, light and peace to her family..
Lisa, again my heart breaks for you, and for Corbin. I don’t want to say the wrong thing so I will just say I admire your honesty and strength, and I am so thankful that I am again connected to you. You inspire and amaze you. Have a healthy day, lovely lady.
I am sure that you gave Jen a great deal of comfort during the time that you connected with her.
I am sad for her son, her family, and her friends….and for you. Damn this disease.
L,
J
Crying as I read this. So so sad to see another young mother gone. Thank you for telling us and thank you that you were there for her. I am sure she knew how much you cared and it would have meant so much to her. My deepest condolences to you and all her family and friends, especially her beautiful son.
Jill x
Thank you Lisa for introducing us to her. I am so sorry to see she lost her battle so soon. Deepest condolences to her family.
What a terrible thing. I admire you generosity in devoting this column to her when, inside, it must add to your own sorrows and fears. Keep on keeping on, Lisa. We’ll be with you.
So sorry about the loss of your friend Jen Smith. Sincere condolences to her son and family.
Lisa, thank you so much for sharing this sad news. My heart is heavy for her loved ones, especially her young son. And, for you, too, bearing the burden of living with this disease.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. It is heart-breaking, just heart-breaking.
I’m so sorry to hear of Jen’s passing. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend, and the loss her family feels.
I’m sorry for all of us living with cancer, and I’m sorry for those that love us and feel such pains with us.
What you wrote for your friend was so genuine and heartfelt. I want to read more and learn more about Jen. RIP.
For that I thank you.
My sincere condolences.
Michael Burkhardt
Oh dear. Oh damn. I’m really sorry to hear this, Lisa. She’s lucky to have a friend such as you. May that sweet boy find such too.
Much love,
D
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. May the wonderful memories you and her family have sustain all of you through this very difficult time. Special thoughts to her little boy who has to deal with such a great loss at such a young age.
I’m so sorry you lost a dear friend. So sorry for her family. So very sad.