Yk'er hosts living funeral
Diagnosed with terminal cancer, Rosalie Smith
gets together with friends and family before she's gone
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, January 6, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A brave, life-long Yellowknifer hosted what amounted to a living funeral on Dec. 19 at the Elks Lodge.
Rosalie Smith smiles for the camera at her life celebration on Dec. 19 at the Elks Lodge. Smith, who has terminal cancer, hosted a living funeral for her friends and family. - photo courtesy of Margaret Beauchamp |
Rosalie Smith, 62, has suffered from multiple sclerosis for decades. She was an executive secretary for the territorial government for many years before her health issues forced her from her job. She was dealt another blow about a month ago, when doctors diagnosed her with lymphatic cancer and explained radiation and chemotherapy were not options, as the treatments would most likely make her feel worse and only extend her life by a month or so.
So she and her friend Margaret Beauchamp decided to hold a party for friends and family to give her the chance to see people she had not seen in years, thank them for their support and friendship and, ultimately, say goodbye. Beauchamp said upwards to 100 well-wishers turned out for the event which included lots of food, live music and dancing. It was billed as a time to share, care, grieve, laugh, honour, pray and celebrate peace and love.
"It went well," said Smith. "I just decided I wanted to enjoy my last month I've been brave and strong throughout it. I'm a fighter. I wanted to see people while I was alive."
She said she was overwhelmed by the turnout for her life celebration. She said folks came up from the south and she had the opportunity to speak with people she had not seen in years.
"I did well up until the last song was played, then I was a little overwhelmed," she said.
Smith said she has been in a lot of pain but that is something she has learned how to deal with.
"I'm very tired and weak and I'm starting to get a lot more pain now," Smith said. "I've been dealing with chronic pain my whole adult life but this is a different kind of pain ... I've had itching, nausea and vomiting."
Smith's daughter Khara Pich, also from Yellowknife, was at the celebration and said she could not be more proud of her mother.
"It was beautiful and a great time was had by all," Pich said. "My mother has shown immense bravery."
Smith said she is determined to prove the doctors wrong and outlive her prognosis. She thinks others in Yellowknife who may be suffering from a terminal illness should follow her lead.
"Everybody I spoke to, they thought, 'What an awesome idea.' They admired me for holding this event before I'm gone," she said.
