It's hard to believe she's gone. Gracia (gray-sha) and I played together and fought with each other as kids. We grew close as adults. I helped her get through her bout of cancer three years ago. I spent a lot of time with her, enjoying her feisty personality. I loaned my Aussie, Zubi, to her as a companion and therapy dog when I had to be away.
This was the third time cancer invaded her body. She fought it with a vengeance. But this time, even with the miracle of modern medicine, she couldn’t beat it.
She enrolled in a clinical trial to try an experimental therapy that might buy her more time. It made her very ill, but she kept fighting.
On July 3 we received a report that the experimental treatment wasn't working. The tumors were growing rapidly. Six days later she died.
I flew from Spain to Oregon, hoping to see her one last time. But I was too late. I'm thankful that I went to see her in April, just before I moved to Europe. Although her death doesn't seem real, I know I'll never hug her again.
It will never be the same again without my very special sister. Gracia, I love you and will miss you.
Gracia McDermid
December 3, 1954 – July 9, 2017
I'll tell the rest of her story in pictures because they share more than what I'm able to convey in words.
This was the third time cancer invaded her body. She fought it with a vengeance. But this time, even with the miracle of modern medicine, she couldn’t beat it.
She enrolled in a clinical trial to try an experimental therapy that might buy her more time. It made her very ill, but she kept fighting.
On July 3 we received a report that the experimental treatment wasn't working. The tumors were growing rapidly. Six days later she died.
I flew from Spain to Oregon, hoping to see her one last time. But I was too late. I'm thankful that I went to see her in April, just before I moved to Europe. Although her death doesn't seem real, I know I'll never hug her again.
It will never be the same again without my very special sister. Gracia, I love you and will miss you.
Gracia McDermid
December 3, 1954 – July 9, 2017
I'll tell the rest of her story in pictures because they share more than what I'm able to convey in words.
Gracia is the kid on dad's knee. He gave her the nickname “Steamroller” because she was such a determined child. Nothing stopped her.
The McDermid-Nelson-Slick clan of cousins with our beloved Grandpa Chris. Gracia is wearing the polka-dot shirt. We cousins keep in touch. They sent beautiful flowers for the memorial service.
We were a family of five kids. Because we were PKs (Preacher's Kids), we went to church a lot. This photo was taken in the church's choir area. Gracia is wearing the orange dress. I'm wearing the black scoop neck top, in case you're curious.
Gracia grew up and became an excellent nurse. We were very proud that she excelled in the Intensive Care Unit and as an emergency flight (air ambulance) nurse. She loved seeing many of the Western states from the sky. This is a photo of Crater Lake she snapped during one of her emergency missions.
She had two beautiful daughters. Aquila “Quilly” was the oldest. My son, my Aussie, and I went to Phoenix, where Gracia lived at that time, to take care of Quilly when Gracia went to the hospital to give birth to her second daughter.
Sisters Bonnie, Gracia and Paula. We stopped fighting and became friends after we grew up. Funny how that happens.
Zubi was a comfort to my sister during her bout of cancer in 2014. He was the perfect Therapy Dog.
Gracia with her beautiful daughters Quilly and Liriel.
Bonnie was the baby of the family. She and Gracia were great playmates and had a tight bond throughout their lives.
A new member joined the family when Liriel married her chidhood sweetheart, Sean. When Gracia's grandson, Pierson, was born her whole world lit up with love for him.
When Pierson gets older, these photos will let him know how much his grandma loved him.
Rest in Peace, dear sister.
Rest in Peace, dear sister.
