After a long and heroic battle with melanoma, Aimee passed away peacefully this morning.
Funeral
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A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Aimee Saturday, November 22nd at 10am in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 17 Waterville St. in North Grafton. She will then be laid to rest in St. Phillips Cemetery on Millbury St. in Grafton. All are invited to calling hours in the The Roney Funeral Home North Chapel, 152 Worcester St. in North Grafton, Friday November 21st from 4 to 8pm. Memorial donations may be made to:
The Cowan Children's Education Fund
c/o The Alcarez family
5 Hilltop St.
N. Grafton, MA 01536.
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72 comments:
My dear dear Will...we are so sad for your loss and hold you continuoulsy in our prayers and hearts. You too are a hero and have suffered with the dignity and faith of a saint. We pray that God will be so close to you and your precious childten in the coming days and cover you with his peace and grace. We pray for Aimee as well and know that she must have been ushered in by all the many saints and angels petitioned on her behalf. We love you.
The Mullers
Everyone has been touched by her gentle and beautiful soul. She will forever be in our hearts, bringing a smile to our faces recalling an "Aimee-ism", and she will continue to be an Angel among us. We have been blessed to know her for this short time and we will Never forget her. Will, we are all so saddened, but we will never forget your unwavering love and support, showing all of us your profound love for Aimee in every one of your unselfish actions. Your love and strength for Aimee in her time of need has been amazing. You have our continued prayers for God's peace and love.
Beth Graham
Will --
Our heartfelt condolences to you; we pray for Aimee's soul, and for you and the children.
God bless you,
Verlanders
Our sympathy and prayers for your family. May there be peace in the knowledge that she is home with our Father
Hana & Mike Ciembronowicz
Dear Will,
I am tremendously sorry for your loss. I pray that time will dull the knife of grief, and allow you, and all of us, to remember Aimee with joy unencumbered by the loss. Aimee was so extraordinary. I think that if asked what she would want to do with her life, her Christian heart would respond that it was to draw souls to Christ, beginning with the one she loved most, you. And even in a life cut short, she did this. This blog reached people beyond her immediate circle and touched their hearts. And to those who knew her, her steadfast perseverance in accepting her cross without bitterness, and with courage, humor and graciousness… at the end now, I feel a sense that “she did it!”. She triumphed over a burden too heavy for most, and she did it bringing not only her own soul to God, but others as well. We will always remember her, look up to her example, and now pray to her.
Dear Will, we know that at this time, nothing can console your loss. We can only assure your of our thoughts and prayers and hope that they are enough. We are so proud of you both and how you struggled together so valiently to overcome this disease. So, we send you this spiritual bouquet of all our prayers and hope they act like a "hug" to shroud you in God's peace and mercy. We love you.
The Kanzanians
Dear Will,
We offer you these poor words of condolence. Aimee was one of the most beautiful, brightest, wittiest people I have ever met. She made graduate school so much fun. My life has been enriched by her presence. God bless you all.
Our family sends you their deepest sympathies. Aimee fought a brave, and hard fight and is now home with God and free from pain and illness. May faith give you continued strength during this difficult time.
The Hills Family
Will,
We are so sorry to hear this news. We will continue to pray for Aimee, you and the children.
The Labbes,
Emily (Borse), David, Norman & Evelyn
Dear Will,
I am so sorry to hear of Aimee's passing. She was a wonderful, beautiful, and heroic woman. I will continue to pray for her, you and your children.
Love,
Theresa Miceli
I am so sorry for your loss. I consider myself so lucky to have known Aimee, who was so incredibly beautiful inside and out.
Thank you so much for sharing your struggles with us through this blog and for the incredible love and support you gave to Aimee.
Our thoughts continue to be with you.
Much love,
Michele and Ed
Will, I'm so very sorry. Aimee was so dear. You and your children will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I truly consider Aimee to be the best person I have ever known. Her spirit, energy and kindness made me and everyone else around her a better person.
Thank you for making her so happy these past few years. I am sorry for your loss. Please know that she will be alive forever in all of us that were and are so touched by her life.
-Dorothy
Oh God, Life is really unjust & merciless!
Dear Will, Xavier & Tilly, take hearts, at a time like this you feel lost, confused and abandonned. But take hearts, for Jesus, has conquered the power of death once for all. Aimee has fought a good fight, she has finished the race and most of all no matter what she has been endured, she has kept her smile, her faith & hope.
Xavier & Tilly, Jesus & Mary say to you:"I WILL NOT LEAVE ORPHANS, I WILL COME TO YOU." JN 14:18
As Nothing makes sense right now, let us turn to the Creator who sees all & knows all to welcome our Aime in His Kingdom and to send his blessing upon the Cowan family and especially to Will, Xavier and Tilly.
Tomorrow @ 7 AM I will offer a Holy Mass for the repose of her soul and also for peace and comfort for the Cowan family.
I am so blessed & honored to have met Aimee, prayed with her, heard her confession and anointed her. she had so much faith, hope and love & always smile no matter what.
Will, Tilly, Xavier Et al. We have an Angel who is watching over us 24/7. Lord Jesus, we thank you for this Heaven Sent Gift of Aimee among us though it was too quick & short, may your will be done. God gave and God has taken way, may your Name Be Praised & Blessed always
Dearest Aimee, you are missed and will always be missed
Requiescat In Pacem
Fr. chateau,
Will--As a colleague of Aimee who looked forward to her wonderful spirit at the SMFA, I just want to share how much she will be missed by everyone who had the joy of spending time with her. I hope that you are surrounded by love and family, and that's Aimee love of you and pride in you--both of which she loved to share--is glowing around you these sad days. Dave Valdes Greenwood
We are very saddened by this news and will keep your family in our prayers. May Aimee rejoice with all of the angels and saints in Heaven, and may Our Lady comfort you in your sorrow. With Sympathy and Prayers, The Urban Family
I am so terribly sorry to hear this news. Aimee lit up the Museum School (students, colleagues, everyone) with her unfailing heart, enthusiasm, intelligence, zest. She always spoke so happily about her family, and my sympathy goes out to all of you. She was an extraordinary person and will be missed every day.
Ted Weesner
We at the Kelly household are deeply sad and sorry for your loss. My father passed away 3 weeks ago this day. I know that they are now with each other looking at all of us now. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Love,
Steven, Jamie and Owen Kelly
Will,
We are so sorry to hear about Aimee. She was a wonderful woman, mother and friend. We are all blessed to have known her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Pam, Jerry and Mrs. Senneville
Thoughts and prayers, Will, Xavier and Tilly.
Dear Will, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Fr. Chateau mentioned Amiee's smile....which is what I always remember most about her, her truly genuine smile and laugh. I see it in your children's smiles too.
Sincerely, Becky and Peter Kelly
Dear Will,
I am so sorry. There is a hush on our campus today.
With all love and prayers,
Mary Mumbach
Dearest Will,
You have taken such good care of us with all of your words over these past weeks and months, and I have a sense of not only how lucky you have been to have loved Aimee but how lucky she and Xavier and Tilly are to have you always.
My love always,
Hilary
Will,
Please know that our love and prayers are with you and the kids. I will never think of my time at the TMC summer program without thinking of you and Aimee - may God grant you all, Cowans and Alcarazes, comfort and peace.
Aimee, pray for us!
Much love,
Katy, Todd, and all the Wilson/Borse family
In coming face to face with the incomprehensible mystery of suffering, one beholds the transcendence of God, "things too wonderful for me, which I know not" (Job 42:3). In the abandonment to this transcendence, and only then, do we begin to understand - "now mine eye seeth thee" - to see as Aimee now sees. Will, I will be offering a Requiem mass tomorrow for Aimee. Aimee, you and the kids are incessantly in my prayers.
Fr. Kevin Lieberman
Dear Will,
I'm just so sorry; language fails.
Love,
Deborah/Ms. E.
Dearest Will, Tilly, Xavier, All the Cowan family, and all the Alcarez Family,
I can't believe I am at such a loss for words, but words just can not describe how sorry we are for your most beloved's passing. I know you don't know me - we have never had the chance to meet - Aimee and I planned to get our families together in the future, when things were more settled. I went to Montrose with Aimee - and hold her memory and friendship close to my heart.
Will, Thank you for sharing your struggles and triumphs with us - we know this has not been easy. You are a very strong, and wonderful husband.
Aimee's heart was pure, her mind was solid, and her soul is radiant.
May that radiance shine into all of your lives daily as you remember her smile, laughs, hugs, kisses and speeches. All the things that made Aimee, Aimee.
May God bless you and keep you all close... :)
And to Tilly and Xavier - you have the most wonderful mom on the planet! She loved you both so much, to the moon and back a zillion, trillion times - she told me so. My fondest memory of your mom is gym class - I know, this sounds quirky, but for years your mom, myself and Gwen Mackay would be the last runners around the field... It was the time we all enjoyed catching up (chatting and giggling... which got us into trouble). I will never forget those miles and miles spent with your mom. God Bless you both.
All our love to you all,
Blessed Be.
Love, Christy, Thomas, Liam and Marc Skopal (upstate NY)
Will-
I feel blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing Aimee. She was one of those rare people who posess both intelligence and incredible kindness. She will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss.
Love and prayers,
Liz C.
Dear Will,
I want to express my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I only met Aimee a few times, but I remember her well and I know she was deeply loved by you all. she will be missed by all those who knew her, as well as countless others like myself who only knew of her. we lost my father 3 weeks ago and now I imagine him greeting Aimee in Heaven with a big hug. there is another angel in Heaven watching over us. I pray that God will bless you and comfort you in this time of grief.
My deepest sympathies,
Teresa (Kelly) Farley
Oh Death where is your victory? Thanks be to Jesus who has freed us from the power of death.
Dear Will, Xavier, Tilly, the Cowan and the Alcarez families, We all gather in darkness right now because, with Aimee's death, a light has gone out in our midst.
The World can a very bewildering place. But faith, hope and love help us to find our way in the dark. It is the most important thing in life. It is the light of our lives. It is to us what a compass is to a sailor in a storm.
The light of faith guides every step of a Christian's life on earth. Even the darkness of death need hold no terrors for us. For Jesus, has passed through the dark valley ahead of us. Thus, Aimee is not dead, she passed away, she went home. Her leaving becomes an arrival; the outward journey turns into a homeward road. To die is to go home to the Father's house and for Aimee death is a gateway, a gateway to eternal life.
Will, Xavier & Tilly,
" I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you" (Jn14:18).
"I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you. (Ps 32:8)
The Lord gave us Aimee and The Lord has taken Aimee. Thus, Aimee was not ours but God's. May His Holy Name Be Blessed
Requiescat in Pacem
Fr.chateau
I am so sorry, Will. Love, Sheila O'Connor-Ambrose
Dear Will, and through you all my Alcarez and Cowan friends,
Aimee is so special even Heaven is enriched by her presence. I'll never forget the few occasions I was blessed to spend with her.
Please lean on my prayers for you, the children and your families. Sorry I can accompany you only at a distance, but really there is no consolation to be offered but the one that really matters...she has won! Way to leap over purgatory, girl!
Thank you for allowing us to witness and be inspired by your heroic struggle.
Kara
You must know this well, but there was no one in the world kinder than Aimee. May great memories provide you comfort and may her see her perfect traits everyday in Xavier and Tilly.
Many prayers,
Nichole Mercier, Josh & Ben Fischer
Dear Will,
Bob and I heard much about Aimee through his siblings as all the Kelly's worried about, spoke of, and prayed for her. An especial person clearly. I can only wish you feel lifted up by all those who also loved her so dearly. Its tearing to read the comments but there is hope for joy as well. Annmarie and Bob Kelly
Dear Will,
We are heartbroken for your loss. Aimee's joyful radiance illuminated everything around her. Our thoughts and prayers and love are with you and your family.
The Arberies.
Will-
Aimee's joy and life were compelling to everyone who met her, however briefly. Her absence will be keenly felt.
Melissa Becce
Dear Will:
Thank you for sharing your struggles and suffering with us. We continue to pray for you and your children and we try to take inspiration from the love and courage and faith both you and Aimee showed all of us.
Love,
Melissa (Truman) & Ben Schools
I feel very lucky to have known Aimee at Tufts, and I will always remember her as one of the kindest people I've met in my academic career. My thoughts are with your family.
Dear Will, Xavier and Tilly:
We are sorry to hear of Aimee's passing and will miss her terribly. Aimee was a joy to work with and we loved visiting with the children too. Your blog has been incredibly compelling - a real gift to us all.
Susan Lush and the Academic Affairs staff at the Museum School
Dearest Will,
We are so sorry. Aimee will forever inform our minds and hearts. And she will always remain in my stories!
Lots of love and prayers,
Joanne and Joe Geiger
Dearest Will--We are so saddened to hear of your loss, your children's loss, and the loss to the Cowan and Alcarez families. Please know we are praying for all of you.
Gregory & Sheila, Elizabeth, Grace, Eamon, Liam, and Sophia Borse
Will And family,
I will see you Saturday. Just sing out if you need help with anything or need anything at all.
Elise MacDonald
Will And family,
I will see you Saturday. Just sing out if you need help with anything or need anything at all.
Elise MacDonald
I am heartily sorry to hear about your Aimee's passing. She's absolute pure goodness...
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your children Tilly and Xavier and the rest of the Alcarez and Cowan families and friends. I send you all my hope and faith to sustain you all during this difficult and trying time. Please, let me know if I may be able to assist you ( babysit your kids for example) or in any other way. May you have peace in your hearts.
So much love and prayers, hugs and kisses.
Grainne granya@gmail.com
God's Peace, courage & comfort to you: Will, Xavier, Tilly, the Cowan & the Alcaz families
I am so blessed and honored to have known Aimee of a such great faith and love for all peoples. By the grace of God, i will be at the wake, funeral Mass and @ the grave,if i can do anything, I will be honored to.
The whole community of St. Clements is praying for you all and Tomorrow a Holy Mass will be offered for Aime's soul and the Well-being of us all. This week-end, our Aimee will be remembered in all the Masses in my Parish. Try to find peace & consolation in this poem;
All is well
"What is this death but a negligible accident; why should i be out of mind because I am out of sight?
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it was. Let it be spoken without effect. For death is nothing at all' i have only slipped away into the next room. What we were to each other, that we are still."
Will, Xavier, Tilly, the Cowan and Alcaz families, we never lose what we give to God. God has given and God has taken way.
Lord we thank your for the gift of Aimee in our Parish, though it was too short and quick, may your be praised always
Fr. Chateau
Dear Will and family,
I am so saddened by the loss of Aimee in all of your lives and send my deep sympathies. Aimee was kind, and had such a grace about her. I admired her tremdendous spirit and strength in all that she faced in this past year and a half. We only met last year and crossed paths a few times at the Museum School, but I have had you all in my thoughts often.
wishing you comfort from all the love around you,
peace and hope to come--
Carolyn Sirois
Will and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I heard of Aimee's passing through my friend, Maureen. Though I don't know Aimee and never met her, I did browse through your blog and saw the tremendous battle you both fought against this awful foe called cancer. Our prayers are with you and your family. Know that people all across the country are thinking of you and send their love.
God bless.
The Ferman Family
Atlanta, GA
Will - we are so sad for your loss and pray that God gives you the strength and comfort during this time. AImee was my hero - I never met her, but I was so inspired by her unwaivering sense of humor, her brave fight, and her radiating smile that stood out in all of your pictures throughout this journey. And she was so blessed to have you by her side throughout the whole thing, her constant source of strength -you are amazing. I can see her in Heaven, that beautiful smile shining down on you and the kids as you take one day at a time. She will always be with you and will one day greet you again with that smile. God is with you and your children during this time - I pray that you feel His loving arms around you. We are so proud of you! Nicki and Shane Pace and family
Dear Will,
You and your family are in our prayers. We can only imagine how difficult it is to give such a caring and wonderful person back to God. She has given the world Xavier and Tilly and left behind a legacy of love.
Byron and Tiffany McCaughey
Dear Will, I am very sorry about Aimee. I am so glad that a part of her remains here in Xavier and Tilly for you and the rest of your family. God bless you.
Annie N.
So sorry Will.
We're glad there's an education fund for Tilly and Xavier--education was so important to Aimee.
May God rest her most beautiful and beloved soul.
Love, Kathleen, Gregory, and Grace
Will,
I will be praying for you and your family! Regretfully, I will not be able to make it to the funeral. I am leaving for Rome today for the week and perhaps prayers from Rome will comfort you in your grief. I will also have masses said for Aimee.
With love and admiration,
Lisa (Maw) Kenna
I am sorry I never had the chance to meet you, or your beautiful children. I posted on her legacy page, but since finding your blog, thought I should post here as well...
I was deeply saddened to hear about Aimee's passing.
She was an amazing woman, a creative scholar, and a gifted teacher. I was a friend of hers at Tufts for a few years and will never forget her warmth and kindness....
My first year as a new grad student, I met Aimee at a welcoming party for new students--she was a few years ahead of me. I was very nervous. I was not from Boston, knew no one, and had embarked on this program with a lot of self-doubt. I will never forget how she introduced herself to me, with a smile and a laugh. She spoke to me as an equal, listened to my ideas and plans for my graduate work--she listened with interest and attention--- and offered me advice, suggestions and most importantly, friendship. She took the time to get to know me and that brief moment made me feel like I was just where I was meant to be. She is unforgettable and will have an important place in my heart all of my days...
The world is simply a dimmer place without her warmth and true beauty.
I am only sorry I lost touch with her she moved on and I moved abroad...but I never forgot her, and never will.
May time bring you all peace.
Please know that if I lived in the area, I would have come to pay my respects....
Delilah Bermudez Brataas
Trondheim, Norway
Will, Xavier & Tilly-
I am so very sorry for your loss. Aimee was always kind and cheerful. We will continue to pray for you and for the repose of her soul. Thank you for keeping the blog and showing us her journey of faith, hope and love despite her pain and suffering. Erin True
Cowan Family,
I was blessed to be taught by Aimee my freshman year in college. She was always joyous and always had a smile on her face. I am deeply sadden by her loss. I hope you are being surrounded by love, family and friends to help you through this dark time. God Bless.
Erin
Dear Will, We are so sorry. Aimee was a kindred spirit. She touched so many lives. She will be missed. We are sending prayers to you and the family in this sorrowful time. the bennetts
Will,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. You were such a wonderful example of a husband by the way you cared for Aimee. Thank you for sharing her story on the blog ~ it has been an inspiration and great example to us all.
~ Kathleen Wells
Will,
I am so sorry for your loss. I was a few years ahead of Aimee at Montrose, and I remember her smile well. I will continue to pray for all of you.
Ellen Parkinson and Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss. Much love, from one of Aimee's many cousins - Joyce
Dear Will and family,
We are so sorry that Aimee has left this life, but are confident that she has more than earned her place in the next one. You, we, are all so blessed to have a true Saint watching over the many, many lives she touched, and will continue to touch, here. Please know that you three are in our thoughts and prayers, as Aimee continues to be. Much love and peace to you all, Brooke, Matthew, Thomas, Theresa, Catherine, Theresa, Maribel, and Elizabeth Haas
Will, my heart goes out to you and Xavier and Tilly. Your family continues to be in my prayers.
-Nancy
Will, we are so sad for your loss of dear Aimee. I am at a loss of words for you. Please know that we continue to pray for you and your children. Aimee was a very brave young woman. She fought the valiant fight and now rests with her lord and savior looking down on us as we struggle in our paths. We have already been praying to her for her intercession.
Bob and Kathleen Timmermeyer (Greg's sister)
Aimee continues to inspire love. I am very moved to read such wonderful sentiments from all who were touched by her.
We pray for peace in your hearts.
Chris G.Flynn
Dear Will, I went to lunch with Aimee. She helped me feel so comfortable about getting the IL2. She helped me in my time of need. I have melanoma stage 4 also and felt a special connection to Aimee, both of us young, with children. I will miss Aimee dearly and anytime you and the kids want a vacation out on Marthas Vineyard, please call. I am so saddened and am with you spiritually. Love, Dede Hagen
Dear Will,
I met Aimee for lunch once and have been writing to her. She gave me a lot of comfort as I was about to have the IL2. We developed a special rapport and I will miss her greatly. My heart goes out to you and your family. I am so saddened by you and your children's loss. I hope I can meet you some day and would love for you and your kids to visit us on Martha's Vineyard. Love, Dede Hagen
Dear Will, Tilly and Xavier, I have been following this blog since it began, and I am so sorry about Aimee. I remember well spending Thanksgiving with you all five years ago at your mom and dad's when you had just become engaged. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful children. Much love, Anna Priddy
God's Blessing and peace be within your hearts, souls and minds: Will, Xavier, Tilly, The Cowan & the Alcarez Families.
Sometimes in life when we think of a Saintly person, it is always someone else comes from somewhere else but never in our mindst. I do believe Aimee was a living saint. Although she was very sick, she has never complained. She bore her illness with patience, faith and fortitude. Aimee did not only accept her suffering but she made it holy.However, nothing so easily becomes unholy as suffering.
She was a witness to Christ's
love, Aimee has shown us what love is and how we can practice it in ordinary, everyday ways. As we have seen @ her wake and Funeral she has touched so many many people. Those who love are already saved. To them Jesus will say, "Come, o blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" May our Aimee hear those words now.
"Do not abandon your heart to grief, do not forget, there is no coming back. Once the dead are laid to rest, let their memory rest." Ecc 38:21-23
Faith is our consolation, and hope is our anchor. May the Good Lord enliven our hearts and strengthren our hope.
Aimee pray for us
Fr. Chateau
Rest peacefully Aimee...
We join those who mourn her, who miss her, who rejoice in having known her. Thank you, Will, for telling Aimee's story. Your family remains in our prayers.
Kristen and John Kelly
"Who is this youth
Attendant on the hero? a daughter of his?
One of his children's children? How the crowd
Murmurs and hums around her! what distinction,
What presence, in her person! But dark night
Hovers around her head with mournful shadow.
Who is she, father?" And Anchises answered:--
"Great sorrow for our people! O my son,
Ask not to know it! This one fate will only
Show to the world; she will not be permitted
Any long sojourn. Rome would be too mighty,
Too great in the gods' sight, were this gift hers.
What lamentation will the field of Mars
Raise to the city! Tiber, gliding by
The new-built tomb, the funeral state, bear witness!
No youth from Trojan stock will ever raise
Her ancestors so high in hope, no Roman
be such a cause for pride. Alas for goodness,
Alas for old-time honor....
Let me scatter
Lilies, or dark-red flowers, bringing honor
To my daughter's shade; let the gift be offered,
However vain the tribute."
Dear Will
I am a melanoma patient & a teacher. I live in Singapore with my wife and 3 children, but we are American citizens. I have been touched by your blog. You will never meet me, but know that you are getting prayers from the other side of the world. I know it must be so hard for you and your children. I will say an extra prayer for them. You will be strong and carry on though. I can sense this.
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