Susan Church
I just found out late last night the my great Aunt Mary Jane passed away in February. I had not spoken to her for some time due to her illness, but I am deeply sad to have lost such a bright sun in my life. I am her great niece (Susan Church) through her brother Wilber (and his daughter Barbara). I first met her in 1988, when she offered her island to my family when my brother died suddenly. She provided sanctuary without pity. From there our friendship bloomed in to countless notes, letters, cards, book exchanges, and even a quilt from me to her...she was a pillar in my life, and I've held on to ever scrap of correspondence from her. They are treasures. I'm grateful to have had that friendship with such a kind, earnest (and often blunt), strong, gracious and beautiful woman. I have missed her.
