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Annie Smith, known
lovingly as Smitty or AnnieBear
October 31, 2007
We sadly report that Annie died
on October 31, 2007. Here we say goodbye with photos,
her signature bears, and quotes from her many classmates who cheered
her on until the end.
During the last four years of
Smitty's life, a website called CarePage enabled a two-way
communication between Smitty and the many people who were
concerned about her. At times of medical emergencies, we
all breathed a sigh of relief to learn that she had survived yet
again. Of course, Smitty did more than just survive; she
continued to find humor in even t.jpg) he worst of circumstances.
These messages to Smitty were
from the heart and sometimes difficult to write because of the
lumps in our throats, but person after person wrote words of
encouragement which were posted on a message board for all to
read. At an especially critical juncture, I took comfort
in reading a few of the other posted messages, and suddenly I
discovered something wonderful. So many of them were from
our classmates.
Either before or after
reading these messages, you may see more photos of Smitty and
listen a track from an old album by The Tupelos. Although
the solo is sung by Peg Larsen, you will hear Smitty if you
listen carefully. (Those of you with Internet Explorer
will receive the music. Other systems may not.)
Messages from the
CarePages website, with permission of those who wrote
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89 June 22,
2007 at 05:18 PM EDT
(Written by Smitty shortly after reunion)
BEAR NOW THROUGH 3 GEMCITABINE TREATMENTS, BUT THEY ARE
BEARLY BEARABLE!
At least the timing has been right to permit being the "Parade
Grand Marshall" at Reunion, and hosting a "parade of visitors"
at the barn! (Actually, the "parade of visitors" has hosted
itself as Bear has been pretty sick til weekends.)
The Class Reunion was delightful! special classmates, a
beautiful campus, and a delicious Saturday rain which allowed us
all to comfortably hang around the dorm attending panel
discussions, signing books, and acquainting and reacquainting
with each other and memories! Sunday's Alumnae Parade was
traditionally perfect with vintage cars driving members of the
Class of '37 through street lined with graduates from every 5th
year up to the Class of 2002.... and as the Class of '37 passed,
the Class of '42 fell into line and so on until all had filtered
past the youngest grads and into alumnae hall. As our class
marched along singing our class song and shouting our cheer,
some "young-un" on the side line commented to a classmate, "Is
that what we'll look like in 20 years?" And one of my mates
quickly responded, "you WISH!"
I flew back from Boston to Toronto for the Monday's chemo
blast.... So here I am at the barn for a few more days. My
Calgary friends are picking up the pieces as I go through yet
another down and out time from the chemo. We have a cold north
wind, rough waters, a fire in the pot belly, and although the
Bear feels lousy, it is beautiful, cozy and a wonderful place to
be! Cheers to you all!
In the words of her
friends Written Nov.3 - June 4, 2007,
reverse order
GoodBye Annie
Diane Churchill November
03, 2007 at 10:11 PM EDT |
Annie, your
smile feels so strong in my memory. I feel so lucky
to have known you and your bears and your teaching. Your
courage and humor are a legacy for all of us who loved
you. You showed us how to live.
Sweet sailing, Annie!
Diane |
Bearing Up With Angels
Angelyn Forbes-freeze November
02, 2007 at 02:50 PM EDT |
I weep ... not for Anniebear,
for she has received her final healing and is sailing
and singing with the angels. I weep for the rest of us
who already miss that brilliant smile, that hearty
laugh, that wry wit, that indomitable spirit, that
incredible will to live life completely and fully every
day. What lessons we have learned from you, my dear
friend. Please God we will find a way to carry on your
legacy ...
Loving thanks to her caregivers and friends who were
able to be there and give of themselves. Please keep us
posted on the celebration of life in the Spring, and ask
for help if you need it! |
Thank you to Annie's friends for
your loving support
Joanne Couch Cogar November
01, 2007 at 05:17 PM EDT |
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I am so very sad to learn
that Annie is gone. The only comfort is knowing that so
many of you in Toronto surrounded her with love until
the end, something the rest of us did in our hearts.
Well, Annie Bear isn't quite gone. She gave me
permission to use her bears for class communications.
Watch out! Those bears are going to be up to new tricks.
For many of us, they will serve as gentle reminders of
one of our gentlest and kindest classmates. |
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Thank you, caregivers
Chartis Bell Tebbetts November
01, 2007 at 04:11 PM EDT |
I am feeling very sad now,
because Annie has been such an inspiration to us all,
and now we will be sustained by remembering her. But we
can also be inspired by the amazing love, care, and
presence of all of you in Toronto, the Lake, Wellesley
friends, tennis friends, students, colleagues, other
survivors, and the medical people. Thank you all for
being there for Annie, when many of us couldn't be. She
always said how lucky she was - and I do believe that.
She had a terrible disease, but she had the strength,
courage, humor, talent, and support to give her the
highest quality of life. I look forward to the
celebration of her life in the Spring, and I will
continue to wear the little bear pendant to keep her and
all of you close to my heart.
Chartis Bell Tebbetts |
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May the sun shine warm upon your
face....
Martha Reardon Bewick November
01, 2007 at 02:37 PM EDT |
Dear Annie, You have been
our inspiration, and showed us how to live with humor
and courage and creativity, and with such a generous
spirit, all these years when life itself was a
challenge. I am so happy to know that you were
surrounded by your dear friends last night. Right now,
the old hymn "How can I keep from singing" is running
through my thoughts about you. You brought such music
and joy and pizzazz to us all.
From my Irish tradition, this blessing is for you, sent
to you through the autumn breezes and golden leaves: May
the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be ever at
your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and
the rain fall softly on your fields. And may God hold
you in the palm of His hand, until we meet again. Thank
you Annie, dear heart. Until we meet again, with love,
Martha |
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God Speed, Annie.
Judith Stamp November
01, 2007 at 01:18 PM EDT |
Thank you for all your gifts
of courage, perseverance, and love of life.
love, Judith |
Sad Day
Judith Rubinow Gartner November
01, 2007 at 10:54 AM EDT |
Ruth, thank
you for letting us know the heartbreaking news. Annie's
spirit, courage, flair for living and ability to see
humor in whatever befell her will live on in our
memories and hearts.
Judith Rubinow Gartner |
You're the best!
Peggy Mahaney Rhoades October
09, 2007 at 02:58 PM EDT |
Annie --
I'm so proud of you -- you are just amazing. You've been
surprising the docs -- and the whole health care
apparatus -- from Day One. Now you've done it again. So
keep getting stronger. It's still early fall -- and hot
(91 again today) in D.C. -- so a visit to the barn and
the lake seems more and more possible.
Lots of love and positive vibes are coming your way from
Washington, Peggy |
Bear Balancing
Angelyn Forbes-freeze October
01, 2007 at 04:52 PM EDT |
I can just
imagine BEAR trying to maintain balance on a tiny log
going over a stream in the woods and wondering what has
to be added/subtracted in order to compensate for two
(leaky) bags and a tree-trunk leg. BEAR would figure it
out, probably adding a pot of honey to the light side,
and get across safely, singing a song of joy for the
walk in the woods.
I am delighted, along with all of your other
fans/supporters/friends to hear from you via the Care
Pages. Thank you for keeping us up to date, as we all
are pulling/praying/singing/sending bear hugs for you.
Much love, Angelyn |
Messages from Junior Show!!
Martha Reardon Bewick September
29, 2007 at 01:32 PM EDT |
Hi dear
Annie, Sounds like the hurdles are getting higher, but
it also sounds like your creative mural and mosaic
projects exceed the hurdles manyfold! Will these also be
medicinal plants, or do you have new themes for the art
work?
I've been thinking about our Junior Show...the talk of
your ileostomy and catheter bags remind me of Bags, of
course. ("Wha'ja get Bags?" "Th'usual" "I got a soda to
go from Howard Johnson's and a catgut uke from the
Harvard Coop.....and sen sen." "Sen sen. Yeah." (Do you
remember the whole rap?) )
I'm sorry and disappointed to hear that the systems
haven't been the best for you, and that there's leakage
etc. Those attachments are supposed to be fairly
straightforward, I thought.
Then there's our Junior Show song that keeps running
through my mind (to be sung to a tap dance, swollen leg
or not): "Don't give up hope. There's no cause for
despair. Just look around, Happiness will find you
there. It's all a matter of timing. Don't let the moment
go past. Success and fame and love comes to the one
who's first not last....Things can't get worse, You are
still in your prime. Just look around. It's all a matter
of TIME!"
You are first in our hearts, these days dear Annie. May
time be on your side, and you continue to bring your
wonderful creative spirit to everything and everyone you
touch. Love, Martha and John |
lots of bear hugs to you, annie
Joan Foedisch Adibi September
29, 2007 at 12:31 PM EDT |
Dear Annie,
I am in awe of your ability to rise above all the
assaults on your body. The plan for the new mosaic mural
at the hospital is most ambitious and tells me and
everyone else that you are going forward. Keep up your
indomitable and loving spirit. I am sending you my vibes
for pain-freeness and for eventual fresh autumn air. I
am here on Chappaquiddick where the air is clear and the
breeze is blowing and at night the moon is magical. I am
sending prayers to heaven for you.
Love,
Joan Adibi |
You're a trooper!
Peggy Mahaney Rhoades September
28, 2007 at 03:03 PM EDT |
Annie --
You are my model for courage, tenacity, humor, and
contributions to society! Here you are, planning art
projects for the hospital while coping with your latest
surgery and now a new issue. Let's hope the good doctors
can figure out a way to reduce the size of the leg so
you're as mobile as you want to be.
Fall hasn't arrived in Washington yet, and there has
only been rain once -- last night -- so we're in a
drought, and I seem to spend my weekends moving the
sprinkler around from one part of the yard to another.
You're a trooper, and we're pulling for you.
Lots of love from Peggy and Steve |
AnnieBear from Lucy Kirk
Lucy Kirk September
28, 2007 at 12:18 PM EDT |
| Thank you
for updating us all on what is happening with you. You
and your bear are being sorely tested, but you sound
good, are in good hands, and have every personal
attribute to get through all of this! Thinking of you so
often and wishing you all good things. lol, Lucy |
Howdy
Lynette Porteous September
19, 2007 at 12:42 AM EDT |
Thinking of you and hoping
there are no further complications. Zazie and I are
gathering up my dad at 4:00 am tomorrow morning to make
it to Stanford by 7:30. So come this time tomorrow
night, he should have a new shoulder. I'll probably stay
in SF in case he is ready to be taken home by this
weekend. Hugs to Neil and Clyde, Joan and HRH.
Love,Lyn and Zazie |
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Annie and Attachments
Martha Reardon Bewick September
18, 2007 at 07:41 PM EDT |
Dear Annie, John and I have
been away, and then just finished cleaning out and
selling my mother's house yesterday. So I've been
missing hearing about your gremlin battles, and was so
happy to read that you may be able to go home this week.
Your surgical surprise was terrific, and I'd love to
have heard the remarks as the discovery was made!
Now that you are sporting new attachments (catheter bag
and ileostomy bag), does that entitle you to be called a
bag lady? Perhaps something more elegant: Une Baguette!
Or Bagatella!!
We send our love to you, dear Annie. Martha and John |
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Thinking of you
Bonnie
Cobert Millender September 10, 2007 at 09:32 AM EDT |
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Hi Smitty,
You are amazing in the way you are coping with
this horrendous ordeal. No surprise there, but
your strength and courage and positive attitude
continue to make me believe that if anyone can
beat this, you can. My thoughts and prayers are
with you.
Love, Bonnie |
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Grateful to get news of you
Joanne
Couch Cogar September
09, 2007 at 11:51 PM EDT |
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When you are in trouble, it seems
to take forever for these CarePages to open. I
await anxiously, then your page pops up on my
screen, I quickly read the news of your latest
bear pranks, and I feel hugely grateful to still
have you with us. That's the good news! It is a
shame that robbers have invaded again, but I'm
still thinking about the good news.
Love and best wishes to you, Joanne |
Thinking of you . . .
Judith Rubinow Gartner September
04, 2007 at 11:04 PM EDT |
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Hi Annie, You are in my
thoughts throughout each day. I am sending recovery
vibes your way. Bear is with me in our 45th Record Book,
which I've probably looked at 100 times since I received
it.. Each time I notice a detail I'd missed before in
one or the other of your clever and charming drawings.
You b ring so much joy into so many lives and are a role
model for survival! Love you lots, Judith Rubinow
Gartner |
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With you in spirit
Anne Ruhoff Turtle August
17, 2007 at 10:00 PM EDT |
Dear Annie:
All these experiences call for a second book! You are
truly amazing. Here in the wilds of Wellesley Hills we
are trying to rid our crabapple tree of squirrels and
crows; what looked like a bountiful crop of crabapples
has been drastically reduced by these clever creatures.
Tomorrow we're enlisting the two oldest grandsons to
help us harvest what we can for crabapple jelly. You
were way too thoughtful to send me a note upon receiving
the reunion photos I sent. I am sending many, many
prayers your way and will be thinking of you on Monday.
Anne Ruhoff Turtle |
Invisible Threads
Nancy Glidden Coffey
August 14, 2007 at 09:02 PM EDT |
Hello dear
Annie,
Someone once told me that there is an ancient Norse myth
about the nature of paradise. In paradise each person is
connected to every other person by invisible threads.
The threads hold us up, even when we don't have the
strength to stand. You who have connected to all of us
with such courage, compassion and humor are now held by
those powerful threads.
We all love you Annie and hold you in our hearts. I hope
the Bear can feel our hugs and our love. Nancy
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Anniebear from Lucy Kirk
Lucy Kirk July 31,
2007 at 11:21 AM EDT |
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Anniebear: I'm thinking of
you so much and am so grateful to get your updates.
Those blasted gremlins!! It was great to have you as our
class marshal--you certainly added to the energy of our
group! And I am really enjoying your book and think it
should be all over our local hospitals. Wonderful to see
you in June--and prayers and good thoughts till we can
chat from your country home. lol, Lucy |
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Bear hugs
Judith Conger Shaffer July
30, 2007 at 10:53 PM EDT |
Dear Annie,
You must know how my fingers want to write Smitty
instead of Annie - guess that really dates my first
contact with you! I am following your progress and want
you to know I'm sending lots of positive energy your
way. Keep up the good fight. You are in my thoughts and
prayers.
judy conger shaffer |
thank you!
Carolyn House Simmons July
30, 2007 at 09:19 PM EDT |
Thank you,
Annie, for taking the time and energy to keep us up to
date on Bear's latest hospital stay and culinary
adventures! You may not realize how very many Bear fans
are following all this and thinking of you.
Warmly,
Carolyn House Simmons '62 |
Your will is so strong, so very
positive
Joan Foedisch Adibi July
30, 2007 at 03:37 PM EDT |
Dear Annie,
So much love, so many messages to buoy you up and push
you through this crisis. Your words convey that
indomitable spirit that will carry you back to the Lake.
I am thinking of you as I sail in Edgartown harbor, off
Martha's Vineyard. I am harnessing the wind as you are
marshalling your forces, as only a Grand Marshall can. I
am thinking of you and praying for you.
Love,
Joan |
Time for the Lake
Chartis Bell Tebbetts July
27, 2007 at 05:39 PM EDT |
Hi, Annie
Ned and I wanted you to know that we leave tomorrow for
Ontario, where we will think of you every time we look
out at the water, get in a boat - sail or other - and
think soft summer breezes. I'm sorry that you can only
vicariously enjoy this thought right now - and we pray
that Keuka will be graced by your presence soon -
certainly before we get back to Cohasset Aug. 15th.
Hopefully you have turned the corner, and will soon be
at least enjoying a drink of something substanially
tastier than the current swill. Time for the doctors to
get serious!
We really do send all our best wishes your way, willing
you to feel better, and for those gremlins to take some
time off! Much love and bear hugs -
Chartis |
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Now that you mention it....
Martha Reardon Bewick July
27, 2007 at 03:46 PM EDT |
Dear Annie, Well we could
use a new roof, in case you have one to spare, but only
if you come along to install it! We'll make room!!! Ours
looks like a green Hong Kong gas station roof, with
green painted metal barrel tiles, and little decorative
doodahs on the end. Somewhat corroded. O well, so are we
all. Perhaps there are some spares in Malaysia.
I think any airline that flies from Toronto to Malaysia
would be happy to provide jello cubes and tea, in large
quantities. Probably in lime, orange and watermelon
flavors too. Yum yum.
John and I are in Tanglewood this weekend, where the
chorus will be singing Verdi's Don Carlo tomorrow night.
We're looking forward to a mid-day picnic under a big
shady tree with Marcia Burick and her husband, and
possibly Martha Fetherolf Loutfi. I just mailed the CDs
with the '62 art images to Diane Churchill, so you'll be
getting your copy next week. Perhaps the hospital will
let you install it on the internal video system there.
The last image on the CD is a "Love Annie" bear.
And we love you, Annie. Love, Martha and John |
Minnesota says hello
Judith Myers Kinsey July
23, 2007 at 11:15 PM EDT |
Hello, Annie,
It was great to see you at our reunion. You did a
wonderful job leading the parade. No question, 1962 had
the most spirit, thanks to you!
I was sorry to learn from Lynnie that you have landed in
the hospital.
I read your CarePage update. Your comments about the
tattoos for radiation struck a chord, and I thought you
might get a chuckle out of this story:
When my husband Jim went in to get his tattoos for
prostate radiation, he told them he'd never had a
tattoo, and what he'd really like is a tattoo of his
mother-in-law's name. He was quite disappointed when he
only got the dots. He also got gold beads(balls?)
implanted which apparently help with precision in aiming
the radiation. So of course, he loves to tell people
that he has solid gold balls.
And I just reread your entry in our 1962 record book -
your lakeside barn sounds wonderful, especially with the
lilo or sighthouse! I hope you can return there very
soon.
Judy Myers Kinsey |
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Connecting with Smitty
Eleanor Holcombe
Friedman July 11, 2007 at 08:35 AM EDT |
Hi Annie! I am a newcomer to
CarePages and to your site - what an amazing resource
for hope, love, support and everything you desire and
need to carry you through your battles. Thank you so
much for joining Joanne Couch Cogar and me as we design
our class email letters! We look forward to bears in all
fashions! I am "praying" and pulling for you and send
you love and bearhugs,
Ellie Holcombe Friedman '62 |
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Message from Anne Turtle '62
Anne Ruhoff Turtle July
09, 2007 at 03:02 PM EDT |
Dear Annie:
Just returned from 5 nights at our family home in Otsego
County and read your message. I gave your "Bearing upt
with Cancer" book to two young friends there; I'm sure
they are going to be inspired reading about the Bear and
his adventures.
I think of you often and hope that others can find the
positive even midst the negative as you do. I have a
great photo of you as Grand Marshal of the Class of '62
during the parade. I'll send you a copy -- you look
terrific and were a most spirited leader.
Thanks for sharing your story with us. Many good wishes
as you move into the next chapter. Love, Anne |
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Corn and Lobsters
Martha Reardon Bewick July
08, 2007 at 09:08 PM EDT |
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Hi Annie from the edge of
Boot Pond in Plymouth, where we enjoyed a mess of corn
on the cob and lobsters this evening. The remnants sort
of look like that latest description you've posted, but
unlike your experience, ours was delicious. Wish you
were here! I'd like to be able to write that we can hear
the whippoorwills and frogs, our evening symphony, but
all we hear are raindrops. And John is washing the
dishes, so I'd better go help. We send our love, and
wave banners for you. All our love, Martha and John |
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Love to you, Light BEARer!
Nancy Glidden Coffey July
05, 2007 at 09:29 PM EDT |
Hello Annie,
Your gentle, joyful presence at reunion was a blessing
to us all. I tried putting the photo of you with the
lilac in your teeth up as my screen saver, but, alas, my
shot was a vertical one, and the Bear's face was
stretched beyond recognition. I'll just pull it up
whenever I am feeling a grumpy, remember the Bear, and
revel in all of life's little joys.
My Glen Urquhart School art teacher friends are
delighted with Getting into Art History. I expect to see
Bear inspired kids' art on the walls in September. I'll
send you photos.
Feel surrounded with love. Nancy Glidden Coffey |
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Missed reunion - and you
Judith Conger Shaffer June
27, 2007 at 01:29 AM EDT |
Dear Smitty,
Grand Marshall - bet you were grand indeed! I was busy
handling the annual congregational meeting at my
Unitarian church in southern California but will
organize myself better to be there for our 50th.
Couldn't bear to miss that one! Would love to catch up
with you if you get to the LA area. Let me know.
keep on keeping on and lots of love,
j |
The Spirit of '62!
Martha Reardon Bewick June
19, 2007 at 08:00 PM EDT |
Dear Annie,
You were the Spirit of '62 as you led our class in the
grand Wellesley reunion parade, on June 10, waving a
purple lilac baton, with your beribboned straw hat. And
an inspiration to us all. We were so happy that you were
there with books to sell as a gift from the class to the
Ovarian Cancer Society, with your bears decorating our
reunion record book and tote bags, and with your
wonderful words during the Class panel on "Wrinkles in
the Health System." Your inclusion in the collection of
paintings and photographs was another of your wonderful
contributions, And Eric, our friend who is working to
include more art education in childhood education, was
thrilled to receive your book. You were central to our
college reunion, and it was just wonderful!
I hope your reunion experience gave you new energy for
your next bout of gremlin chasing last week, and that
you are now surrounded by lake breezes and the summer
scent of trees and good green things all around. With
love, Martha and John |
Orchids by Wire
Toni Hess Gal June
04, 2007 at 07:48 PM EDT |
Dear Annie
(I have a hard time not typing in "Smitty"!)
Reunion time is almost here and I so well remember your
wonderful talk at our 40th. We all hope and pray you'll
leave the gremlins in Canada and come to reunion. The
emphasis on the arts this time is just your thing!!!
I continue to marvel at your determination to keep those
beasts at bay. As I wrote to my sister: I wish she'd
bottle and sell that attitude. I'd buy a lifetime supply
Love, Toni (Hess Gal) |
Address Not Available |
 E-mail
Address
The CarePage Manager -
Eloise Lewis:
eloiselewis@sympatico.ca |
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Memorials
