Saying Good-bye to Michael's Mom

Sad news: On Saturday, August 24th, Michael's mother, Dorcas Hanko, died.

Dorcas had been living with lung cancer for more than a year.  A diagnosis (Stage 4) that would have devastated most was, for Dorcas, a challenge to be met head on.  She fought valiantly and never gave up hope.  During her final year she got to do the things she loved best: travel, cook, garden, spend time with her family, and even see Michael perform his show twice.  Till this summer, she had more energy than most healthy people.

The end was swift: her doctors recommended palliative care on Thursday and she passed peacefully Saturday morning.  Yesterday her ashes were interred at a military cemetery in New Jersey.

It wasn't until I started digging for photos for this post that I realized how much time I've spent with Michael's family over the years.  We visited his parents nearly every major holiday and they even came to my brother's wedding.

At the Finger Lakes

Brunch in Chelsea

At my brother's wedding, with my mom

Even though I knew Dorcas for only a decade, her passing leaves a big absence in my life.  Dorcas was hugely supportive and enthusiastic about everything I did.  When I started sewing, there wasn't anything I made that she didn't find "awesome."  She wore the beige fleece hoodie I made her in 2009 almost every time I visited.  She even subscribed to my blog!



When she and Michael's dad sold their house this spring, guess who got her circa 1969 Kenmore sewing machine?  Two years ago she also gave me these wonderful 1940's fashion drawings she'd found: 

 



Dorcas had a beautiful spirit, an open heart, and was just fun to be around.  I'll never forget how, every time we parted, she'd say how thankful she was to have me in the family.  I feel grateful for having gotten to know and love her.

Always up for fun!

Good-bye, dear Dorcas!