My heart is heavy today because we have lost a colleague and a friend, Wendy David-Gaines. She passed away yesterday after a long, hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer. She helped thousands of parents face life before and after college with her book, Parents of College Students Survival Stories. She and I collaborated each week on Wednesday’s Parent, giving advice for parents from two different perspectives. We co-hosted one week a month on #CampusChat sharing advice and helping parents.
She gave her time, her advice, her talent and for me, her friendship. She was a true parent advocate. She helped countless parents on Twitter and Facebook deal with college-related problems with little or no reward for her expertise.
Wendy would never say she was a victim of ovarian cancer and never craved the spotlight. She was an advocate for early detection, a fighter who searched for anything and everything that might help her overcome this disease, and someone who valued life and her family above all else. She will be missed.
If you are so inclined, please give to this worthwhile cause and leave a comment if you were a “cyber” friend of Wendy or she was of help to you along your college journey. I’m sure her family would love to know how she touched your life.
It’s so hard for me to even read this post, Suzanne, but I thank you for writing it. Wendy believed in me from the moment we became acquainted online and was my cherished mentor in the college industry. She will be sorely missed and my prayers are with her family. I think it’s time to read her book again, as her quirky personality shines through each and every page. Rest in peace, Wendy. I know you are rejoicing with your Father in heaven now.
It was hard for me to write it, but I wanted everyone to know the kind of person, mentor, friend, educator and parent Wendy was. And I agree, it’s time to reread her book–that’s how she would want to be remembered.