In Memory of Ned - 1249665

primarymark
Posts:61

In Memory of Ned...

“Aloha means “Hello, goodbye, love, compassion, welcome, good wishes.” It means belonging to others with a common humanity. It’s defined better as a feeling in the heart than by words.”

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JimC
Posts: 2753

Two years ago yesterday, the GRACE community lost its shining star, Ned (recce101). He was here since before the beginning, when GRACE was still called OncTalk. Even before he became GRACE's first "Global Moderator", he was providing tireless and caring assistance to the GRACE community. Whenever a new member posted their first message, it was quickly followed by a welcome from Ned along with answers to their questions and words of support. He did this while he was facing his own battle with lung cancer, and no one did so with more "grace" than Ned.

Dr. West's post on Ned's passing, together with the outpouring of condolences from the GRACE community, can be found here: http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php/topic,9210.0.html

Those of us who were privileged to know him, at least in the words we shared here, will never forget him nor the help he gave each of us, individually and as a community. Dr. West created this site as a source for authoritative information, and Ned took it a step farther, making GRACE a family of fellow travelers caring for each other every step of that difficult journey.

Rest easily, my dear friend Ned,

JimC
Forum moderator

certain spring
Posts: 762

The nice thing is that he is still here in a sense - in the forums and in the archive. I often read things he wrote and find them helpful. It's a good legacy.

catdander
Posts:

When I posted my first question he was there with support that still carries me through my days. I still miss him. Thanks Jim for invoking our wonderful friend and introducing him to those who didn't know him.

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Yes, he was wonderful, helpful and articulate and wise. I know he would be pleased to think that he has left such a lasting impression, with his thoughts, words, and memories of his "BV-SEV" (the index he devised to measure the balance of benefit vs. side effect value of treatments he's received) still sometimes helping people here, even though he can't participate directly. He will always be missed.

-Dr. West

double trouble
Posts: 573

I was a newbie, and NED was so nice and so full of compassion and information (along with you, Jim) and when he passed I was shocked into the reality of this disease. My son kept saying I'm sorry Mom, because I was just sobbing, then laughing at myself for being so upset to lose someone I had never met, then feeling selfish for wanting more time with him, then sobbing some more. It just seemed like he went down so fast. Just shocked. He is truly missed.
Debra

dbrock
Posts: 162

Operations Director, GRACE

 

Ned also involved himself deeply in the operational side of GRACE, he helped in the background both myself and Dr. West - including sitting in on the phone and providing insight throughout planning meetings when we were going through our (painful) upgrades to the site. The amount of energy he spent on GRACE was incredible, and his help was vital to our getting GRACE to where it is today. He is truly missed. I hope he knew (knows) how important his legacy was (is).
Denise

Operations Director for GRACE. Have worked with cancerGRACE.org since July 2009.  Became involved as a caregiver to my best friend, and quickly came to see that GRACE is filling a need in the area of cancer education. 

forherbie
Posts: 50

When I think of Grace Ned is one I think of. Yes he was always one of the first here to greet us newbies. I think of Ned and smile but am so sad at the same time.
Anne