Remembering a wonderful Canadian on her day...

[Dan Murphy]

I posted this on the CB today, thought it might be appropriate here also....

<b><embed src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Music/avemaria.mid" hidden=true autostart=TRUE loop="-1" height=0 width=0></b>
<p>
<b><img src="http://shop.avon.com/avonshop/assets/images/prod/PROD_0258160_LG.gif" border="0" width="114" height="120">
Take a moment, relax, enjoy a life, a birthday, Sylvia's......

Many folks here on the DIS, who have come here in the past 2 1/2 years, are not
familiar with Sylvia, though do see periodic references to her in posts every
now and then, or in memorial clipart in some DIS'ers signatures, like mine
below.
</b>
<b>Sylvia came to the DIS, in early 2000, like most of us,
searching for some Disney answers, and she found the DIS, and likewise, the DIS
found Sylvia.  She came, looking to make a magical trip to Disney World, a
spur of the moment trip, for her and her son, Nick, then about 5 years old,
shortly before she was about to restart chemo, due to a recurrence of her breast
cancer, originally diagnosed and treated in mid 1998.  Sylvia was able to
go, making lifelong memories for little Nick.  Some folks on the DIS, among
them Pete, helped indeed make her and Nick's WDW trip a reality, a magical
memory.
</b>
<b>Shortly after that trip, Sylvia's health, from the ravages of
her breast cancer, slowly deteriorated, with her finally passing away, June 7th,
2001.  A very sad day, a sad time here on the DIS for many people. Our friend, Sylvia,
here on the DIS for less that 18 months, and passing away about 2 1/2 years ago,
made a very lasting and indelible impression and memory on so many.
</b>
<b>But <i>today</i>, we celebrate the memory of Sylvia's birth,
42 years ago, January 14th, 1962.  A happy day it was.  I talked to
Sylvia's mom, Margarete, a few hours ago, so nice to reminisce about her
daughter, Sylvia, our friend.
</b>
<b>In Sylvia's memory, let us all try to do our part in
maintaining good health.
</b>
<b>Make that appointment to get checked up....today</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Komen.gif">

<p>Shortly before Sylvia passed away, another young DIS'er, <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Tink 2300, aka Stephanie, also passed away. 
And more recently, we lost Robin and Beverly Lynn, two more young women in the
prime of their lives.  Three young children, Nick, Caitlyn and Aryn lost
their mom's way too early in life.  Keep their memories alive, Steph,
Sylvia, Robin, Beverly Lynn.</span>

<p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Times New Roman; mso-fareast-font-family: Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Here are a few pictures I have of Sylvia that I think give a little insight into this lovely lady, a friend I never met........</span>

<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Sylvia4_312X450.jpg" width="312" height="450">
<p align="center">This was taken on Sylvia's last birthday while with us, January, 2001, just 5 months
prior to her death.  Great smile, no??
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Sylvia5_600X413.jpg" width="600" height="413">
<p align="center">Taken about 1 year after diagnosis with Dan, a good friend who
shared with Sylvia in her last couple years, enjoying nature, enjoying life.
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Sylvia6_330X450.jpg" width="330" height="450">
<p align="center">This is Christmas of '98, with Nick.  Sylvia felt comfortable with
her baldness, a necessary side effect of getting well she said.
<p align="center"><i>A few pictures from Sylvia's healthier days......</i>
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Sylvia1_545X450.jpg" width="545" height="450">

<p align="center">This picture is of Sylvia, Nick and Dan's DD, Emma.

<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Sylvia2_299X450.jpg" width="299" height="450">

<p align="center">What a great picture of a great lady!!!!  This picture was taken
about 6 months before she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sylvia loved the outdoors and animals.  She was especially fond of otters.
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Sylvia3_600X443.jpg" width="600" height="443">
<p align="center">This one also was taken shortly before she was diagnosed, a great picture of Sylvia and little Nick.
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/Sylvia7_596X450.jpg" width="596" height="450">
<p align="center">And all throughout her illness, what a strong lady!!!!    Anyone see a frown? 
Always smiling, that was Sylvia.

A good site to visit, many great items of help here......
<a href="http://www.komen.org/intradoc-cgi/idc_cgi_isapi.dll?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=298">
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation</a>
<p align="center"><img src="http://www.dmurphydis2.com/Sylvia/AvonBear.gif">
<p>Love ya, Syl, Happy Birthday, my friend.  
<p>Dan 
</b>
<p>
<font size="2">Music--<i>Ave Maria</i>, from Disney's <i>Fantasia</i></font>

 

[from Canada]

Very touuching Dan. I was around the boards when Sylvia was, but sad to say I didn't get to know her. I'm glad she made some great friend here.
(hugs) to you and all of her friends and family
Karen

 

[Cruisin]

What a lovely tribute to your friend, Dan.
Unfortunately I had not discovered the DISBoards yet at that time, so I did not get to meet her.
Looking at those pictures really hits home just how unfair life can be, doesn't it. Someone so young and vibrant and with so much to live for, taken way too early.
I am just a few years older, but about 6 "girls" from my class at school have died in the last year, and they were all just in their mid 40's.
I am glad that Sylvia had the benefit of a wonderful friend like you, to bring comfort to her.
Thanks for sharing with us.

Robin

 

[Scratch42]

You've put together a most beautiful memorial.

Thank you for sharing.

I too was not around but through your lovely tributes have been able to come to know these wonderful people.

Thank you again.

Scratch

 

[Snowwark]

Thank you, Dan.

A very lovely tribute.

I didn't know Sylvia, but do remember how greatly her passing affected so many people on the DIS. She was obviously a strong, kind, and unforgettable woman.

I have a dear friend who is battling breast cancer. She finished her chemo a week before Christmas, and is now undergoing radiation treatments. Your post reminded me to give her a call today, and let her know I care. Thank you.

 

[sammi]

I remember Sylvia very well Dan as we had PM'd a few times and I always enjoyed her posts.This is still so sad when I hear her name...... but you've done a wonderful job in her memory here today.

I have a very good friend who is now (since New years Day) in another battle with breast cancer (it's in her spine now)..........this is her 3rd time with this ugly battle in the past 9 years but she's a real fighter and I know she'll beat this.

Thanks Dan for such a nice memory of Sylvia.

Happy Birthday Sylvia!

 

[Canadave]

Very moving, Dan....thank you for putting this together. I remember when the news of her passing was posted on our board...it was a very sad day, indeed. She will be remembered.

 

[mbb]

I just knew that she touched lots of the DISFamily...thanks, Dan, for reminding us all how we can touch people - that we've never even "met"...

 

[Debbie]

Originally posted by mbb
...thanks, Dan, for reminding us all how we can touch people - that we've never even "met"...

Another thank you, Dan. For each of these women, I have felt sadness and grief for the loss of life so young, for the loss of mothers, for the loss of a friend of the 'net. . . for the loss.

Your pictures and music touches each of us here.

Happy birthday Sylvia. Hugs to those she left behind.

And may the cure be around the corner.

 

[tigercat]

I had just come one board about 6 month before she died. It really upset me at the time and it is so sad that someone that young had to die. I feel really sorry for all the children that have been left behind. Thank you very much for the reminder.
tigercat

 

[TimNDansMom]

Thank you for the beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady, Dan.

 

[melindaandrob]

I just lost a friend last week to cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with Sylvia's family. Say a little prayer for my friend, her 7 year old daughter, and her husband. What a courageous woman.

 

[katypop]

hi dan
thank you for the wonderful tribute to Sylvia. i had been lurking on these boards for a few months when i came across an "introduce yourself" thread on these boards started by Sylvia. i finally got up enough nerve to post on her thread and still remember her BIG "WOOHOO" and welcome to me. i was so sad to learn that her cancer was back and still remember the sad day i read of her death. my dh was fighting cancer by this time and i didn't have the heart to tell him the sad news. i miss her too, although i never got to meet her.

melindaandrob-{{{{{HUGS}}}}} to you and your friend's family.

kathe