It is so hard to think (believe?) that FW is no longer with us. That she is no longer walking with us - in her regular position at the back of the pack - happily so - and this speaks to one of her many traits - that she seemed completely comfortable with herself, walking alone but still with us as a group. FW joined Jeans' Marines almost 20 years ago. Even then she was battling breast cancer - her first diagnosis but definitely and most unfortunately not her last. There's a lovely story from CN, indicative of FW's kindness and generosity of how she supported the others in the group as they trained for the Marine Corps marathon. On the longer walks, she would make stops along the route to hand out treats and snacks as the group focused on the much longer distances required to train for the marathon. FW herself could not train because of her diagnosis and treatments.
But FW kept on walking. And many of us have good memories of FW in our Calgary trip and Banff race in 2022. She took great delight in going to the Royal Tyrrell Museum and engaging in her interest in dinosaurs. And in the race itself, again walking at her own pace, with determination, grace and good humour she finished the race.
FW was smart, and a professional engineer who had travelled fairly widely with her work. She was kind and thoughtful. Despite what we understand to be her 5 different battles with cancer over 20 years FW never complained. We are all humbled by her courage, bravery and stoicism in the face of such cruel odds, endless treatments and setbacks - and a disease that did in the end, take her too young life. We can take solace in the fact that we know, as a member of TPW she felt valued, and she appreciated the support and camaraderie that was always present for her.
We will cherish her memory. And she will be missed.
