We lost a good Bernie supporter and DUer Friday morning

[MissDeeds]

My dear friend, BuelahWitch succumbed to cancer early Friday morning. My husband and I came to know her in the past six months when she chimed in on one of his Facebook posts supporting Bernie. Come to find out, we lived in the same town. She was in a nursing home, and had been there for about a year and a half, struggling with terminal cancer. She was 53.

We chatted with her often via Facebook and eventually set up a time to meet for lunch. It became a bi-weekly ritual. What a sweet, amazing woman she was - so full of "spit and vinegar" as my grandfather would say and sharp as a tack. We talked often about Bernie, DU, and JPR and posters here and there that she loved and followed religiously.

When she told me she had contacted hospice and was under their care, I started to cry. She said, "Oh no, don't be sad." Her concern was for me, not for herself. That's how she lived her life, with hope, joy and compassion.

BuelahWitch had no family and only Facebook friends. In a final, amazing act of selflessness and kindness, she donated her body to science.

She didn't post much, but she read DU daily. If you are so inclined, please send a thought, good vibe, or benevolent thought her way. She was one of the best of us.

[TDale313]

1. ...

[Donkees]

2. Farewell BuelahWitch and Thank You

[MissDeeds]

4. Thank you, Donkees

That's beautiful. She would have loved it.

[realmirage]

3. See you on the other side!

[stage left]

5. Rest in peace, BuelahWitch

[NJCher]

6. so glad you reached out to her

MissDeeds.

She sounds delightful.

Watch for a sign from her.



Cher

[Peregrine Took]

7. + 1000 n/t

[MissDeeds]

8. Thank you Cher

I do think I might have had a sign. Early Friday morning I had a dream about her, that she was telling me it was okay and she was at peace. In the dream, I told her that I wasn't sure there is a hereafter. I awoke in tears shortly before 7:00. She died at 6:50.

It breaks my heart that she was alone at that time. I'll always regret I wasn't with her.

Incidentally, she died in the same nursing home, just a few doors down from where my mother died 18 months ago.

[senz]

13. When people pass they can reach out to those who touched or were touched by them.

You don't need to feel bad that you weren't there, MissDeeds, because you were with her and she with you, and you know she was fine with it.

Thank you for commemorating her passing.

Bernie seems to appeal to good souls, doesn't he?

[MissDeeds]

19. Thanks for the kind words, senz

We often mentioned how grateful we were that Bernie brought us together.

[Donkees]

15. Your heart knows BuelahWitch wasn't alone

[font color="#800028"size="3"]"At the heart of each of us, whatever our imperfections, there exists
a silent pulse of perfect rhythm, a complex of wave-forms and resonances,
which is absolutely individual and unique, and yet which
connects us to everything in the universe." [/font]

[MissDeeds]

20. Such beautiful words, Donkees

Thank you so much for sharing them with me.

[Phlem]

9. ...

[Lifelong Protester]

10. I will send good vibes her way

I am sorry for the loss.

[HoosierRadical]

11. R.I.P.

[JudyM]

12. What a beautiful tribute, very moving. It's good to know, and great that you connected with her.

[senz]

14. Rest In Peace, BeulahWitch

[ms liberty]

16. RIP, BuelahWitch...

So sorry for your pain, MissDeeds: and for our loss.

[mopinko]

17. thank you for being there to ease her passing.

good on you. it is a sad thing, but a good end is what we all desire.

[Autumn]

18. Cross gently. We will miss you.

[MrMickeysMom]

21. I'm so sorry...

Condolences to her friends, who it seems were all here.

My mother wanted to donate her body to science. Since my brother, her executor, was uncomfortable with making that decision, she conceded.

Here's to BuelahWitch, cross gently to the next event...

[riderinthestorm]

22. Tears.

I remember her and will miss her voice here. She had such a great username I knew she was special.

I fervently hope she was never the recipient of any horrible shit as a Bernie supporter here. These past few months have been some of my darkest DU days. I'd grieve even worse if she suffered any slings and arrows during her final weeks/months.

You've posted a lovely tribute. Can you share it at JPR? I know others who would be similarly heartbroken.

Buelahwitch

[MissDeeds]

23. Thanks, riderinthestorm

We talked often about DU and JPR. BuelahWitch, whose name was Leslie, was increasingly frustrated with DU, and said that in the last few months, she felt depressed after visiting DU. It was such a big part of her life for a long time, but she was spending more time at JPR.

I don't think she encountered any hostility here or she would have told me. She was a bit feisty and probably would have gone toe to toe with anyone without a moment's hesitation.

I will be sharing this at JPR. I tried numerous times today to cut and paste this, but my iPad and laptop aren't cooperating for some reason. I'll get to a desktop tomorrow and take care of it.

Thanks for your kind words. I hope somehow she is aware of the outpouring of love and support expressed here.

[Wilms]

24. Thanks for letting us all know.

Peace. May we all make good use of the time we receive.

[merrily]

25. I am so very sorry for your loss--and ours. Thank you for telling us.

How lovely for you both that you got to know each other.

DU has an In Memoriam section. Perhaps you would let Skinner know in ATA that she passed? If not, I am happy to do it.

[MissDeeds]

26. Thanks so much merrily

I'll let him know.

[Equinox Moon]

27. Peace as she soars into the light

[LWolf]

28. .

[TeeYiYi]

29. Thank you, BuelahWitch...

...for 13 years at DU. You'll be missed.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027974299#post8

TYY

[ornotna]

30. Thanks for sharing this with us

[Kali]

31. I am so sorry to read this.

I will always remember she was kind and saw what was going on in the Lounge when it had turned into a bit of a mess. She was a friend to LFP and MFM and posted funny pics, so I consider her one of "us" even though she hadn't posted in there much after the move to DU3.

Good bye BuelahWitch.

[Arazi]

32. My deepest sympathy

Your love and care shine through here.

How are you doing? I hope you are surrounded by love in real life as you are here



RIP Buelahwitch - Leslie

[DianaForRussFeingold]

33. .

[TheKentuckian]

34. Thank you BuelahWitch for adding to our movement!

[Fla Dem]

35. So sorry you lost a true friend, and in her prime.

I read this when you first posted, but couldn't respond at that time as I was blocked from the group. I'm glad she had you as a friend and could share her final time enjoying your company.
Peace.

BuelahWitch RIP

[Hekate]

36. Rest in peace, Beulah Witch

[MerryBlooms]

37. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Rest in peace, sweet soul.

[blackspade]

38. This got me to log on after over 2 months being gone from here.

Sad to hear about her passing.
Peace to you and her other friends and family...

[samnsara]

39. I am sorry I missed getting to know her...she sounds like a great lady.

[beam me up scottie]

40. I am sorry to hear of this.

I took a break to concentrate on real life and my internet activity was restricted to Facebook so I missed this thread.

Donating your body to science is a selfless gift. I wish I had known her better.

Go in peace, BuelahWitch.