I received the following email about Mary (cdnBlogFan). She passed away suddenly, losing her battle with cancer. Reading the email I received, it is a reminder that we don't really know the people we interact with. She was only 36 yet so responsible and caring she opened her home to foster children. One could tell from her notes she was feisty and caring.
My condolences to her family and loved ones.
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My apologies for the bulk message, but I am writing on behalf of my niece, Mary-Anne Jones (1971-2007), who passed away suddenly on Thursday morning after receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. We all knew the odds of her survival were lower this time, but she was fit, strong and determined to defy the odds yet again. I think that we all expected to have more time with her and a chance to properly say goodbye. She is survived by her husband Tim and the many foster children that shared their home over the past 11 years.
True to her astronomer roots, at Mary-Anne's request, there will be a family gathering for an evening of star gazing on the winter solstice to mark her passing. Her remains will be scattered in the lakes of northern Manitoba later this year.

18 Comments
hthth
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
That's very sad to hear. So young.
My condolences to friends and family, here and out there.
a_romig
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
Oh my. That is sad news. My condolences to her family as well.
RightOn
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
OMG! She was cool!
Best wishes to anyone who knew her... it really sucks to lose someone , and it REALLY sucks to lose them from a disease or tragedy.
You will be missed!
Scrivs
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
So sad to hear and reminds you how fragile life his. Her contributions to 9rules will be missed.
Oli
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
I'll miss Mary because she didn't hold back. She spoke her mind and was true to herself in her postings here.
Along with everybody else, I'm sure, my thoughts go out to her friends and family. And my utmost thanks that her aunt got in touch to let people know.
Life is too fragile.
jensized
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
...wow. I had no idea.
I may not have always agreed with her views but her posts were always intelligent and thought-provoking.
Rest in peace and my condolences to her family.
-Jen
Gnorb
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
My condolences. She'll be missed.
I seriously wish this was someone's idea of a sick, sick joke.
Josue
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
Very sad to hear, my condolences go to her relatives and friends.
I would like to remind everyone of Pink for October, an initiative -to bring attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, get people talking about breast cancer, and raise money for research- we all could join.
Ollie
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
What sad news. My condolences to those who knew Mary, she will be missed from 9rules.
I would also like to echo what Josue mentioned above regarding Pink for October/Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The search for cures must never end, but while most of us cannot actively help with that, let's do the best we can to educate people about cancer and raise as much awareness as possible.
joshawesome
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
My condolences to family and friends of Mary.
LorriM
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
How sad. One thing I admired about her was the fact that she spoke her mind, whether others agreed with her thoughts or not, through all the back talk she took from the opinions of others, she held her stance. She was true to herself. She did all of that, without any of us knowing that she was so ill. How remarkable! That is an admirable trait! She made her point to each and every one of us, until the end.
Words are inadequate at a time like this. My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends.
She will be missed on 9rules.
Rest in Peace...
RightOn
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
I will be participating in Pink for October... if I hadn't already been working on a port of my theme in Pink for it I most definitely would be now.
estarla
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
Oh no. Rest in peace, Mary. And condolensces to all who will miss her--I'm sure what we at 9rules notes caught was just a millisecond of the impact she's had on others.
peroty
Written Sep. 4, 2007 / Report /
Oh gosh.... I totally wasn't expecting anything like this when I read the title...
She was feisty and smart and I liked talking with her the few exchanges we had. :)
R.I.P. my dear
cooper
Written Sep. 5, 2007 / Report /
Condolences to her family may she rest in peace.
My grandmother died of complications of the
chemotherapy treatment she received for breast cancer. I usually do a run or two a year and the boobiethon.
alisa
Written Sep. 5, 2007 / Report /
What a wonderful woman...
God bless the family.
dreamweaver
Written Sep. 14, 2007 / Report /
Oh dear, I completely missed this note! I did so enjoy our conversations, Mary will be missed. Blessings to her loved ones.
danoph
Written Sep. 14, 2007 / Report /
why do only the good die young?!