On Monday, January 3rd my friend Marianne Paetkau passed away from breast cancer. She's fought this disease almost as long as I've known her. Tenaciously never giving up. I knew she was getting worse. The last time I saw her her face was incredibly puffy and the cancer just kept coming back but she still kept saying she was going to live for a long time. But over Christmas with her family with her she decided that enough was enough with chemo and radiation and passed away.
I will always remember her for her support of me going to Africa. Marianne and her husband Paul had lived in Kenya for several years and when I came back from Malawi they had me over and we just talked for hours and hours about life on that beautiful continent.
Even as sick as she was she was a great presence at my bridal shower and was always supportive of me. We also had a common alliance in the support of gay and lesbian rights in the Mennonite church and we shared that advocacy. She was a wonderful woman and I will remember her always.
Rest in Peace Marianne.