It is with a profoundly heavy heart that I send this message to all of my friends on the Forum. Jophie, my bride of 43 years, unexpectedly passed away early yesterday morning, peacefully in her sleep and without pain. She had been valiantly battling pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy over the past four months. For those experienced with chemotherapy, you know how devastating the physical effects can be. Jophie was incredibly fatigued and weakened by the chemo, but she faced the daily challenges courageously despite the debilitating nature of the treatments. Ironically, despite great strides which had been made against the tumor, she died of apparent complications related to a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation.
I know that many of you met Jophie at the York meets over the past several years. I don't need to tell any of you who were fortunate enough to have known her what a charismatic and vibrant person she was. God only knows why, but she loved all of us train addicts without reservation. Now she's on that great Blue Comet somewhere and enjoying the ride.
Jophie and I have a very close family circle as well hundreds of friends all over the world who will mourn her passing. Whenever someone dies at the end of a long life, it's common to hear the bereaved talk about what a long and full life the dearly departed enjoyed. Nothing was more true for my sweet Jophie. We had a wonderful 43+ years together, filled with fun and adventure. For those of us whom she left behind in this world, things will never quite be the same. She will be profoundly missed by those of us who had the joy of knowing her.
SadBear
