At 4:40 PM Monday, December 10, 2007, my wife, Anita Marie Rowland, passed away in Seattle at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her two sisters, Martha and Betsy Rowland, and by myself.
Anita will be missed by all. By her sisters. By myself. By the children and grandchildren she took as her own. And by everyone that knew her...
Some people shine so brightly they light the way for others; Anita was such a person. Having that light snuffed out so soon is a loss to the world.
Anita, we love you. We will miss you forever.
If you knew Anita or she touched your life in some way -- something that applies to many, many people -- please leave a comment with some memory of her here.
-- Edited to add:
Many people have asked me about a memorial fund for Anita. In all our discussions about what happens next (yes, Anita and I had them) we managed to miss talking about what charity she would like to have people donate to in her name.
There is a medical fund managed by our friend
jkling called anitar_medfund. It's purpose is to help us pay off our (enormous) medical bills. But that isn't quite the same thing. You are welcome to donate there, just follow the link and click the PayPal button.
But what charities would Anita want you to support? The list is as endless and varied as her many interests. Given the circumstances, I suggest Gilda's Club as a place to make a small donation in Anita's name. Or you can follow Anita's lead and go personally to feed the hungry in whatever place you live.
Anita will be missed by all. By her sisters. By myself. By the children and grandchildren she took as her own. And by everyone that knew her...
Some people shine so brightly they light the way for others; Anita was such a person. Having that light snuffed out so soon is a loss to the world.
Anita, we love you. We will miss you forever.
If you knew Anita or she touched your life in some way -- something that applies to many, many people -- please leave a comment with some memory of her here.
-- Edited to add:
Many people have asked me about a memorial fund for Anita. In all our discussions about what happens next (yes, Anita and I had them) we managed to miss talking about what charity she would like to have people donate to in her name.
There is a medical fund managed by our friend
jkling called anitar_medfund. It's purpose is to help us pay off our (enormous) medical bills. But that isn't quite the same thing. You are welcome to donate there, just follow the link and click the PayPal button.But what charities would Anita want you to support? The list is as endless and varied as her many interests. Given the circumstances, I suggest Gilda's Club as a place to make a small donation in Anita's name. Or you can follow Anita's lead and go personally to feed the hungry in whatever place you live.
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Jack, I am so sorry. My regrets to you and your family.
She sounds like a wonderful person. I wish I could have known her.
Anita came by Friday afternoon and said "This is home."
I've posted my tiny mite here.
How can we help? Anita was always there for us. Now it's time that we're there for you and her granddaughter.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sending you lots of loving beams in this time of transition for which none of us is ever prepared.
Nancy White
Anita in her Trolloween costume, with the silly hat that somehow managed to make her look like one of the troll dolls of our childhood (if you squinted a bit, that is). Anita trying to teach Glenn and me to dance before we went to my dad's 70th birthday party (we ended up taking lessons from a place that was her second recommendation, and we danced reasonably well). Anita dancing at her wedding, in the dress I made her (the dress I had to sew her into after finishing it in an all-nighter, and that you had to cut to get her out of later on, Jack). Anita drawing a fish for Riley, and then another fish, and then a shark to eat the fish. Anita at the Cacophony Society's Santa Rampage, asking if I had been naughty or nice.
Oh, that has to be enough to go on with for now. I miss her, too, Jack.
My deepest sympathy.
Shelley Powers (Burningbird)
Frank Paynter
I am so sorry to hear this. I never met Anita in person, but have followed her on the net for many years. Her kindness came through loud and clear. I don't blog nearly as much as I used to, but Anita remembers. Just a few weeks ago, she found and friended me on Flickr. I'm shocked to hear that she's gone; she was so young. You have my deepest condolences.