A Final Letter to Aunt Jackie

I can remember having met you, Great-Aunt Jackie, four years ago at the family reunion on my Stepmom's side. Aunt Jackie... well, you were quite a character. You were also quite a sweet lady. Heck, you even taught me needlepoint--which was something I got into for a while, but slipped away from and would love to get back into. We had quite a good time getting to know each other better, and vowed to keep in touch. Which we did, time and again. Although my only regret is, I didn't spend enough time. Time... well, it's one thing we never can have enough of, this I know.

Last summer, en route from Indiana back to Florida, we stopped in Kentucky to visit you for a couple of hours. While the younger siblings went to pick blackberries, you, Stepmom and I stayed inside and talked all the while. At the time, you were fighting cancer--which worried me a bit, because I know of people who've died in their battle against cancer [Great-Grandma Ana Julia being one of them]. In the back of my mind, I wasn't sure how to bring it up with you, so I didn't. In the end, I was fairly glad that I didn't.

But then, the first of two family tragedies came to pass, with my Grams passing away up in Ohio [reference: Chapter 231|10 March 2010]. What I didn't know though at the time [and in fact I didn't know until Father's Day while talking with Grandma Sharon], was that you'd beaten cancer. But come Father's Day, Grandma Sharon gave me the update about your beating cancer--but with even more shocking news that, the cancer you'd been fighting and defeated... came back. That you were given 1 to 2 months to live. My heart broke, and I was sure enough on the watch... waiting... waiting...

The best thing God could ever do, was to call you home last night.

Rest in peace, Aunt Jackie. I love you.

Waiting 'til this weekend to finally say goodbye...

~ me


O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our
prayers on behalf of your servant Jackie, and grant her an
entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of
your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. + Amen.

[funeral liturgy, book of common prayer.]

Chapter 35: Farewell, Tony--you never walked alone. [Tony Wilson: 20 February 1950 - 10 August 2007.]

Bad news folks, Tony Wilson is dead.

Today we lost a legend and pioneer of the Madchester music scene, the same man who not only put Joy Division but also New Order, Factory Records, and the Hacienda on the map. He lost his fight with kidney cancer, at the age of 57.

According to fellow NOOLer His Holiness, The Pope,

Professor Robert Hawkins, his doctor at Christie Hospital, said: “It’s very sad. He died as a result of something unrelated to his cancer. His cancer was responding well to treatment but obviously did contribute to his poor health. He was determined to fight for funding for Sutent and it is especially sad that he has passed away as we seemed to be making some progress in the campaign. He wasn’t fighting for funding for himself, that had been solved by his friends. His efforts were for the people coming after him so it was very generous and not easy for him because he was so unwell. I hope that we will be able to continue what he has started.”

Tony Wilson's Battle is Over - The Manchester Evening News

Anthony Wilson Dies from Cancer - BBC News

And now, a few songs in honor and loving memory of Mr. Wilson...

'Mesh' - New Order

'Transmission' - Joy Division

'24 Hour Party People' - The Happy Mondays



Rest in peace, Tony Wilson, Sir. You never walked alone.

With love and gratitude,

~ the Small-Town Order and the Underground of Excelsios.