Dana Reeve, widow of Christopher Reeve, has died of lung cancer

[englishleigh]

Dana was an inspiration to us all...to persevere, and to love. She was one of those beautiful flowers that God could not resist placing in His own garden. I am so sad about her passing, but she is at peace and she is with Chris.

 

[Chelo]

http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.geIMLPOpGjF/b.899265/k.CC03/Home.htm

Snip:

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and staff of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, we are extremely saddened by the death of Dana Reeve, whose grace and courage under the most difficult of circumstances was a source of comfort and inspiration to all of us. The Foundation extends our deepest condolences and sympathy to the entire Reeve and Morosini families.

You can also read the statement that Kathy Lewis, president and CEO of CRF released.

Such sad news to hear. May God give her son, Will, what he needs to endure this time in his life.

 

[lilpony]

I was stunned this morning when I heard the news of Dana's passing. I couldn't believe it and still can't. I am so shocked and now so saddened by this news. I don't even know her, and I could just cry over this, its just too sad! Life isn't fair thats for sure. I mean she took care of Chris for 9 long yrs, she stood by his side. Not many could do that, I don't think. And so shortly after he died, Dana is diagnosed with lung cancer, and now has passed. Its just so unbelievable I still can't believe it. No life isn't fair! I pray for their son Will, I hope he is going to be able to get through this. I hope he is loved and well taken care of.

 

[NewMom2003]

The beauty of a woman,​

isn't in the clothes she wears,​

The figure that she carries,​

or the way she combs her hair.​

The beauty of a woman,​

must be seen from in her eyes,​

Because that's the doorway to her heart,​

the place where love resides.​

The beauty of a woman,​

isn't in a facial mole,​

but true beauty in a woman,​

is reflected by her soul.​

It's the caring that she cares to give,​

the passion that she shows,​

And the beauty of a woman,​

with passing years, only grows.​

Dana Reeve​

February 19,1961​

March 6, 2006​

This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

 

[vanillasky]

I'm just shocked

 

[PonderingThings]

A woman of grace has passed on....

I was thinking of Christopher and Dana just this weekend. I was watching a TV show that talked about a new treatment for spine injuries - it was accidently discovered and consists of chilling the body. Its not for everyone but it has shown some astonishing promise.

Christopher and Dana believed a treatment would happen.

Although I am sorry for their son's tremendous loss, he is no doubt extremely proud to have had parents like his mom and dad.

 

[IdahoMom]

Touching tribute to Dana here. Get the Kleenex out beforehand, though:

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=ccbad030-4f0d-4c01-bb60-4c9f3989802c&t=s2&f=06/64&p=

 

[HeartofTexas]

Here's a nice story about Dana from a friend's perspective. It's all so incredibly sad that I feel like I want to turn back the hands of time and make this story have a different ending. I am, however, so glad to know that Will has friends and family to love him. I read earlier today that he will be raised by friends of the family who have a son that is Will's closest friend. That will offer him some form of continuity in his life. I'm raising my nephew now. He lost his father at age 4 and his mom at age 6. So I know in a very personal way what the loss of both parents at a young age does to a child.

"He was very young when Chris had his accident, and in a way it was almost easier because, well, partly it wasn't me. So I was able to say everything else is fine. We're going to be fine, and you know, Daddy'll be, well, it will be different, but fine," Reeve said. "I've always been his rock, and just following so quickly on the heels of his father's death and my mother's death. … It just has been a very rough year on our family."

Manganello said friends and family were helping Will with his most recent loss.

"He's going to be surrounded by so many people who love him that Will will be fine," Manganello said. "Nobody has enough time with their parents, but I think that Chris and Dana spent such a remarkable time with Will and they did such a good job raising him."

Reeve also leaves behind two stepchildren — Alexandra, who graduated from Yale last May, and Matthew, a documentary filmmaker.

"Clearly, Dana was an incredibly smart woman, and she knew this was a very serious diagnosis," Manganello said. "But she was not ready to go and she was certainly not willing to leave her family, and that's the way she left this world — but at peace, truly."

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1695995

 

[Michelle Read]

Friends remember Dana Reeve... touching words by some very important people. God rest her soul.

http://people.aol.com/people/articles/0,19736,1170754,00.html

 

[kk's mom]

I was truly saddened to hear of her passing this a.m. I had so much admiration for her for the courage and strength she has showed the world over the years. Lung cancer (any cancer) is a terrible disease. She was just diagnosed in August 05.

 

[petra]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11710920/

Comments on the passing of Dana Reeve

Includes good info on lung cancer stats in non smoking females, amongst other info.

 

[solidarity]

May Dana fly with her Superman forever!!

 

[Anniegirl]

Watching Larry King Live and past interviews with Dana and Chris Reeves.. my heart breaks for their 13 year son.

She really went through so much and stood by her husbands side so long... its so unfair , what strength, what courage and grace shes shown through all she went through- shes finally at peace just so sad she had to leave us so soon, her spirit and Chris's will look over their son.

Rest in Peace Lady Dana.

 

[Marthatex]

Extraordinary grace and courage under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Her face looked like you would imagine an angel's to be - maybe she was one. Christopher Reeve was one lucky man in many ways.

Like someone said on TV tonight (I think it was O'Reilly), "if you think you're having a tough day or a hard time, just think about Dana Reeve"

 

[Marthatex]

Good Morning America had a tribute this morning; Dr. Tim Johnson explained lung cancer very well.

He said even if we wiped out smoking today, it would still be the 4th cancer killer. (from past smoking and other risks)

 

[eve]

Good Morning America had a tribute this morning; Dr. Tim Johnson explained lung cancer very well.

He said even if we wiped out smoking today, it would still be the 4th cancer killer. (from past smoking and other risks)

That is so depressing. One of the main reasons they haven't made strides in lung cancer treatment is the demonization of smoking. Imo.

Eve

 

[Marthatex]

That is so depressing. One of the main reasons they haven't made strides in lung cancer treatment is the demonization of smoking. Imo.

Eve

Have you got stock in Pillip Morris? :innocent:

 

[eve]

Have you got stock in Pillip Morris? :innocent:

Phillip Morris? Heavens, no. I am a former smoker, as are many others. This was actually brought up on the NBC news piece about Dana last night. Breast cancer, among others, kills fewer women and receives much more money for research.

It was asserted, and I believe it, that it is because of the general feeling that smokers bring on lung cancer by their own bad behavior.

Then they gave the numbers of women getting lung cancer who had never smoked. They are amazingly high.

I think many people demonize smokers, and it hurts research into lung cancer, a big killer of smokers and non-smokers alike.

Another lifestyle-related disease is AIDS (in many cases, anyway, let's face it). AIDS patients are not as demonized. Diabetes is often related to lousy eating habits. Again, no demonization.

Ok, I'll duck now. :truce:

Eve

 

[IdahoMom]

That is so depressing. One of the main reasons they haven't made strides in lung cancer treatment is the demonization of smoking. Imo.

Eve

I saw that, too, Eve. And I agree that most people automatically assume that lung cancer victims are/were smokers. Too bad, and so sad!

 

[eve]

I saw that, too, Eve. And I agree that most people automatically assume that lung cancer victims are/were smokers. Too bad, and so sad!

Thanks for chiming in and you know what, IdahoMom? What if they were?

Many heart attacks and diabetes deaths are due in part to lifestyle choices. My parents and grandparents smoked for many years. MY grandpa died of heart disease. My parents quit -- are still here at 74. My grandma quit at 81 (can you imagine?), and died at 87, of breast cancer!

If she had died of lung cancer instead, would her death have been different or of less import?

Should research be related to lifestyle and behavior? What about poor eating and exercise choices? What about sexual partners? Drinking? Not dealing well with stress? Mental illness?

This just happens to be a pet peeve of mine, since I am a former smoker, as is my husband and a number of family members and friends. We're pretty nice people -- I hate thinking that if we got lung cancer, on top of everything else, people would be saying, "Tsk, tsk..."

Eve