Memorial Service
Written April, 2004

I write this letter to my friends and family and loved ones on the assumption it will be read to you.

I wanted to share with you the last two years of my life and even how wonderful it was, even with all its trials and having a blood cancer.
Being diagnosed with a leukemia as you know was a major blow to me, it was not what I intended to do in my thirties. It was a great challenge for my family, my friends and my children. I am not the only one who had to keep their spirits up—you did too, and you all did a good job of making the best out of something terrible. We all learned to hide our pain, cry silently and hope for the best. You also had to experience cancer of a close friend, daughter, partner, and mother.
I am so thankful for all the support I received and Mark’s unconditional support in being there at the hardest times and really helping the kids get through this.

I also learned to slow down a bit, and take each day with a bit more thought. And my parents too, I think they realized they should not aim so much in the future. It also is funny how an illness had to happen for people to come together and look at the big picture. My parents really got me through this, they were there 100% of the time, for everything, I mean everything. Thank God they are healthy and alive. I know this journey would have been so difficult without them.

I also want to express my wishes for my children. They have been raised by me, their one mother since they were babies. It is very important for me to leave this earth knowing those two kids will remain in close contact, will see each other and be brother and sister forever. It would give me great peace to know that all of you will make a point to see that the children stay in contact. I know as time goes by, everyone gets so busy, but I am not here to keep us all one so it is all of your help that will keep Julien and Sierra doing things together. Siblings, as you know, are a great asset to life and very important.

I also want to thank everyone for watching me be a goofball most of my life and being Amy. I tried to carry out my life in a laid back, free spirited kind of way. I chose what I did and I did what I wanted most of the time, and I did my best to raise the kids in a normal healthy environment, but also wanted to be me and not some cranky old frumpy housewife type. This would have been out of my character. I loved to see friends, I loved a good party and good times. I also just loved hanging out at home cleaning and vacuuming and doing laundry and being a sort of June Cleaver. I also had the goal of getting the kids to graduation and then moving to the islands and be Amy the Bartender-Artist. A hippy at age 44.

There was a lot I had not finished and there was a lot I got to do so I am happy I made it this far but sad I can’t see my kids grow up, very sad. Today I want you to promise that you will enjoy yourselves, relax when you want to and give yourself a break and be kind and loving to your kids, friends, and family. Life, as we know, is so unpredictable.
So Live Like Tomorrow is Only a Gift.
Tom Shea of the Springfield Republican wrote an article about Amy - it can be accessed by clicking this link: http://www.masslive.com/shea/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1127634593147990.xml&coll=1