Linda's Celebration of Life

Linda's Celebration of Life was held on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Nine Muses in the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.  It was wonderful to see over 300 friends, colleagues, and family members from all parts of Linda's life in attendance.  Clearly, Linda touched many people during her lifetime and will be dearly missed.

For those who could not make it, or those who wish to remember a very special day, I've put a transcript of the ceremony and several pictures (thanks to nephew Josh) online: http://sites.google.com/site/lcvfund/col

A few special highlights from the day (makes you think that Linda was certainly there in spirit):

• An early threat of rain cleared in time for the ceremony, with gorgeous weather including sun and blue skies to complement the outdoor setting.
• The ceremony site was overflowing with dragonflies. One landed on Linda's father's leg and sat there for a minute after he sat down from giving his eulogy.  Many smiles and tears followed.  A few other special dragonfly stories were shared (the dragonfly picture with the transcript was actually taken at the ceremony site, the Nine Muses sculpture).
• An incredibly large and bright rainbow made an appearance as the reception was winding down.

Thanks to everyone for making the day so memorable.

Linda's celebration: some logistics

Thanks to everyone for their kind words over the last couple of weeks.  They've been very helpful.

I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at Linda's Celebration of Life this Sunday.  Thanks for letting me know that you're coming via LCV.CoL@gmail.com , and please do let me know if you haven't already.  I'll need to make some decisions based on numbers by Tuesday afternoon, so you can still send a quick note (don't feel that you have to include a personal message).

I wanted to address a few questions that have come up:

• I forgot to include a link to the ground for sculpture website.  Here's a link for directions: http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/direct.htm

• I don't think parking will be a problem, but if you're thinking about carpooling with someone, it might be helpful.

• Thanks to those who have offered to shuttle people from the train station.  Doesn't seem like many will be coming in that way, but I will let you know if we need you.

• Finally, regarding dress for a "Celebration of Life".  I'm imagining a business-casual attire; probably not many jackets or ties (will probably be mid-80s outside), khakis, casual church-going attire.  No need for somber/dark colors.  But hopefully something that you're comfortable in.

Safe travels to all!

LCV Obituary

     Linda Casill Vogel, 35, of Voorhees, NJ passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on July 10, 2012. Despite a long fight with breast cancer, Linda will be remembered as not having been beaten by the disease. The illness could not alter her vibrant spirit, as she continued to live life passionately, laugh through it all, and love and be loved by many. 

     Raised in Gates, NY, Linda graduated from Gates-Chili High School in 1994 where she was active in many athletic and “mathletic” activities.  She was also involved in Young Life Youth Group and Summer’s Best Two Weeks camp as a camper and later a counselor.

     She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1998, where she was a member of the track and field team, an Alpha Gamma Delta sister, and first started playing ultimate frisbee.

     Linda was very involved in the ultimate frisbee community, playing on many competitive teams and qualifying for several National Championship tournaments.  Linda shared her love of the sport with friends and newcomers alike through spirited play and leadership roles in New Jersey and Philadelphia ultimate leagues.

     Linda worked for thirteen years as a consultant at ZS Associates, first in Princeton and then in Philadelphia.  She progressed through the company very successfully, being elected as Principal in 2010.  Linda loved what she did and the people she worked with, and this was evident through her dedication to clients and co-workers.  Her enthusiasm and work ethic have made a lasting impact on her ZS family.

     Since first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, Linda annually raised money, Raced for The Cure, advocated, and volunteered for cancer-related charities, most notably Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

     Linda is survived by her husband Michael Vogel, parents James and Patricia Casill, brother John Casill, Grandparents Arthur and Norma LaRosee, Goddaughter Regan, and many other relatives and friends. All are welcome to join in a Celebration of Linda's Life to be held at 4 PM Sunday, July 29 at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. 

     Donations in her memory can be made to The Linda Casill Vogel Memorial Fund.

Appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on Sunday, July 22, 2012.
View the guestbook here.

LCV Celebration of Life

Plans for Linda’s Celebration of Life have been finalized. Please note that this is a *change* from the previous tentative plans.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 29, 2012, at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ.  The ceremony will begin at 4:00 pm at the Nine Muses sculpture (outdoor), followed by an informal reception with refreshments inside the East Gallery for further remembrance and reflection.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Grounds for Sculpture opens at 10am on Sunday, so feel free to arrive early to explore and enjoy the grounds (admission is complimentary; mention Linda’s Celebration of Life at the gate).  I recommend allowing at least a few extra minutes to walk from your car to the ceremony site (an electric cart will also be available for those needing assistance).  The venue is close to the Hamilton transit station, so we may organize a shuttle if it would be helpful.

On Saturday, July 28, our home in Voorhees will be open to visitors after 1pm.  This is primarily intended to give those family and friends who are traveling from further away additional time to visit, but all are welcome to the informal gathering.

You can help me in preparing for Linda’s Celebration of Life!

• I’d like to display lots of photos of Linda over the years on photo boards and in a slideshow for all to enjoy.  If you have a favorite photo or two of Linda (serious or funny; with or without you in it; etc.), please email it to:  LCV.CoL@gmail.com .  Feel free to include a caption (or not).

• I’d also like to put together a musical playlist for the reception with songs that were special to Linda.  If you have a song that particularly reminds you of Linda, please email the name of the song to LCV.CoL@gmail.com (if you have an .MP3 that you can email, that's even better).

• Finally, it would be very helpful if you can email LCV.CoL@gmail.com if you will likely come (and how many you will be).  I realize this is an odd request, but it would be very helpful in planning to have even a rough estimate toward the end of this week.  Please mention if you would arrive via the transit station. 

I hope to see you there.

PS - In response to queries about making donations in Linda's name:  I have established the Linda Casill Vogel Memorial Fund, and hope to have information to share in the next day or two.  Thanks for your patience.

The saddest news, continued

By now you've heard the tragic news of Linda's death on Tuesday July 10, 2012.  The last several days (actually, several weeks) seemed to go by in a blur.  It was just incredible how quickly things progressed.  I'd like to share just a few pieces of information about that part of Linda's story.

Hospice did come to our home to begin assisting us on Thursday July 5.  Most importantly, the hospice nurses were able to help us better manage Linda's pain, and I'm confident that she was very comfortable for her last few days.  On Linda's final day, we had a visit from a home aid and even a masseuse (both through hospice) to make Linda even more comfortable. 

As I've said, the progression was very fast.  Saturday through Monday were filled with much sleep, little appetite, and limited coherence.  There was a significant drop in Linda's strength through Monday night and into Tuesday morning.  Linda's family members (Jim and Tricia from Lancaster, and John from DC) were able to get to our home Tuesday afternoon to join Charlene and myself.  We were all able to spend time with Linda together and in smaller groups.  In the evening, we we were each able to take turns spending some final one-on-one time with Linda.  As the last of us finished their time with Linda, she took her final breath.  It was a very peaceful passing.

As Linda had wished, her body has been cremated.  There has been no ceremony for her yet, private or public.  Instead of a funeral, we are planning a Celebration of Life.  (Rather than a traditional/mournful setting, we will let a couple of weeks pass so that we can better *celebrate* the vibrant life that Linda lived.)

I will share the plans for the Celebration of Life as soon as they are finalized.  I can tell you that TENTATIVELY we will celebrate in the afternoon of Friday July 27 near Princeton, NJ.  But *please* hold off on finalizing travel plans until I let you know that everything is set, hopefully in the next couple of days.  There will be a ceremony followed by a reception where we will have time to further remember Linda and share stories.  I will also open our home in Voorhees, NJ to visitors on Saturday July 28.  While this is primarily intended to give those family and friends who are traveling from further away additional time to visit, all are welcome.  I anticipate Saturday's "open house" gathering to be a very informal and simple affair.

I will continue to post on Linda's blog over the coming weeks to continue the story (and also to fill in some holes from earlier this year).  But I'll end this post with a few points that I hope will be reassuring.  I've heard several people comment on how well Linda and I seemed to be doing (emotionally) over the last couple of weeks.  Despite the immense sadness that I feel, I have to say that I agree that we both seemed to do "pretty well."  One positive thing about Linda's disease was that we were able to prepare for this day over the last two years.  And we had absolutely no regrets.  We did everything we could from a medical point of view to fight the disease.  And we also *lived* as much as we could in that time; spending time with loved ones; traveling; and enjoying every moment.  I suspect that someday my emotions will catch up with me, but for now I feel very much at peace.  Linda also seemed to be very much at peace.  She had very candid discussions about death with a few friends, and when asked if she was afraid of dying, she asked in return why she should be afraid-- she was really only concerned about the people she was leaving behind.

Unfortunately, because of how quickly things happened at the end, Linda was not able to spend time visiting with the many, many friends and family who would have loved to have seen her.  But I *was* able to share many of the messages that you sent along for her.  So please, think of the last time that you were able to spend with Linda with fondness, as I'm sure that's the way Linda would have wanted it.

The saddest news

It breaks my hearts to share that Linda Casill Vogel passed away yesterday evening, July 10, 2012. 
She passed away very peacefully, with closest loved ones at her side.
She will be missed immeasurably. 
I will need some time to spend with family and dear friends, but will pass along more info soon.  A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming weeks, details forthcoming.
Love to you all,
Mike

July 10 update

From Mike:
The latest news is difficult to share, so forgive any bluntness or lack of emotion.

Much has happened in the last ten days.  Unfortunately, Linda's liver function has been rapidly deteriorating over the last few weeks. 

This turn has happened so suddenly and so strongly that Linda's body is no longer able to tolerate further treatment. (Most chemos are processed by the liver, and the Dr feels strongly that any further chemo would likely do much more harm than good, causing the liver to shut down prematurely and robbing Linda of her remaining precious moments). 

We have explored and carefully considered a great number of treatments, but sadly none are options at this point.  No chemotherapies, no clinical trials, no local radiation therapies, no hormonal therapies, and no other therapies remain as options due to the current state of Linda's liver.

Based on these results, Linda has decided to shift from active disease-fighting treatment to palliative care to maximize the quality of her remaining life.  We have met with Hospice nurses over the last few days, and they've been able to help in many ways (better managing pain, getting a comfortable hospital bed, oxygen, etc.). 

As Linda has wished, she will be able to spend her remaining days comfortable at home.

Though Linda is unable to fight the cancer with direct treatments, her fight is certainly not over.  The fight has simply shifted to a different type of fight: Continuing to "Live, Laugh, and Love" in the face of this disease is the new battle.  In true Linda-fashion, we went from the hospital (where we made this difficult decision to transition to Hospice), directly to the shore for a couple of days (thanks Coco and family!).  And a rough day of fatigue and pain couldn't keep Linda from enjoying fireworks with loved ones on the 4th.

************

I wrote the above a couple days ago.  And unfortunately, Linda's condition continues to deteriorate.  Over the last few days, she is sleeping almost all the time, with much confusion during her limited time awake. Through last night I noticed a significant decrease in strength, so I'm not sure whether we can expect further moments of coherence.

A clarification on pain and medication: we've been doing everything we can to be sure that Linda is feeling no pain-- that's the goal of Hospice care, to make Linda as comfortable as possible.  So please know that she does seem comfortable and at peace now.

Visitors: For now, I think it is best to absolutely minimize the number of visitors to the very, very closest family and friends.  This is a very difficult decision because there are so many of you who love and care for her so much, and obviously complicated and very difficult due to the rapid decline in her health.  Several days ago, Linda was really feeling overwhelmed by visitors-- I think visitors are exhausting and stressful for her at this point (wanting to be awake and to entertain; and also much frustration at not being able to find the right words). 

While Linda is not able to check emails/txts/facebook/voicemails, I am doing my best to collect all of those messages and read them to her.  I do feel that she can still understand all of your messages of love and support, so please feel free to keep them coming.  I'll do everything I can to make sure Linda hears them.  I think that hearing your voices (via voicemail) or even possibly seeing your faces (via a video message) would be a fantastic way to reach out to her.