[Dialogue] from Cynthia Vance

[Lee Early]

Dear Cynthia,

Your news of Bob’s death caught Lee and I by surprise.  It is a natural thing to assume one as gentle and caring as Bob and with his tireless exploration of wonder in life would be present forever.  He is.  I certainly will not forget the compassion you both extended to Early family when our oldest child Diana broke her back.  We were numb with worry, but our daughter continues thriving to this day.  “Bob and Cynthia Vance Unlimited” helped guide us through our darkest moments.  We are grateful.   
And we celebrate Bob’s full and completed life with you, Cynthia and with our colleagues.  Grace and peace is yours.


Leah


> On Aug 15, 2018, at 8:42 AM, Joyce Sloan via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
> 
> Dear Cynthia,
> I am saddened to hear of Bob's passing. I hope the memories you shared throughout your missional marriage including those of his final days bring you comfort. 
> 
> Sending love and prayers.
> Joyce Sloan
> 
> On Wed, Aug 15, 2018, 4:30 AM Cynthia Vance via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>  
> My dear Bob passed away today, Monday, August 13.
>  
> On July 11 I enrolled him in Hospice at Home, due to his increasing symptoms from (possibly) Lewy Body dementia and I cared for him since then.  Last Sunday morning he awoke with extreme difficulties. The Hospice nurse came and felt he probably had a 'neurological event' the Saturday evening before, perhaps while sleeping.  She took him to the Venice Hospice House at 6pm that night. 
>  
> I visited him 90 minutes later. He was very calm but not very responsive. I shared my reflections as I showed him 4 photos -- his parents, his brothers Neil and Denny, our doxies Star and Matilda and finally Bob and me. I also read two poems I had written (about the dogs!) and a love letter highlighting and thanking him for the special times we shared as a team in our community service/civil rights efforts, followed by our strategic planning consulting, and finally in our various nature adventures.  We had had these discussions before and had agreed that history had given us a fine ride! – and that hopefully we made the world a little better.  He died peacefully 5 hours later, 1:30 am, early Monday morning. 
>  
> I’m grateful for the wonderful life and marriage we had.  I could ask for no more. Our home was one of peace, love, respect, creative planning and always in anticipation of our next birding or butterflying adventure.  He was always kind to others and was a terrific partner in our life work together!  
>  
> Many of you, our colleagues over the years, wrote letters to him or telephoned him in the past 10 days.  He was so pleased to hear from you and I’m grateful that you reached out to us.  You shared your appreciation of his life and brought us great joy.
>  
> My sister, Cecily, has been with me for 2 days and as an R.N. has given me guidance during this journey. Other friends locally have compassionately reached out to me.
>  
> Bob has donated his brain to the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank to both confirm (or not) the diagnosis and to contribute to their research.  We will be spreading his ashes in our Butterfly Garden and the Gulf of Mexico where he proudly completed 990 SCUBA dives to collect hundreds of vertebrate fossils. 
>  
> Grace and Peace,
>  
> Cynthia 
> facilitationfla at aol.com
> 941-483-9165
>  
>  
> 
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