As many of you already know, the day that I have been dreading has come. After an almost 11 month battle with leukemia, Mark has succumbed to this dreadful disease. We put up a good fight and Mark will be remembered for the efforts he made to find a cure for leukemia.
Mark will be remembered for many things. I’m not writing my long list here because honestly, it’s endless, but each of you have your own reasons to keep Mark in your heart.
There are so many things that can be done to help our cause and ensure that someone else will benefit from our loss. I would love for everyone to consider donating blood and getting on the bone marrow donor list. Wearing a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society awareness wristband and sharing my story with others would inspire me to be strong for my children and never forget Mark.
To help aid in Mark’s legacy, we have partnered with two organizations that will benefit from any contribution you may make in Mark’s memory. To acknowledge the care that Mark received at the VGH Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and on B4, the outpatient clinic, please consider making a gift to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, 855 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 for the Leukemia/BMT Program. You can also phone Trudy Preston directly @ 604.875.5240. I would like to see an everlasting memorial in the form of a Tribute Plaque in Mark’s name to be hung at VGH and your donation to this excellent facility will help this Tribute Plaque dream to become a reality.
In addition to supporting the hospital where Mark received much of his care, I know that increasing leukemia awareness is very important to both Mark and myself. Therefore, donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada would also be appreciated at http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/ in memory of Mark.
A celebration of Mark’s life will be held on Monday, February 19th at Newlands Golf and Country Club at 21025 – 48th Ave, Langley at 11:30 a.m. This is an open reception and I hope you will join me to share stories and memories about the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with.
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I too will always, always miss you Mark. Of all the great things that we did together, your freindship will mean the most to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Does anyone know where I can get a bracelet?
Tyler Burbee
Dearest Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of your loss and I am praying for you.
Much Love,
Jane Unsworth
This news has struck me in many ways. I did not know Mark that well as we only shared a few rides in the car together and a few laughs and discussions at the play-park (mostly about our kids). I only wish I kept on with my offer to "go hit a few balls" with him.
ReplyDeleteI will remember our chats in the car while driving to the hospital as it was only then did I discover the person he was. He was a Rush fan (always a positive quality in a fellow human), loved golf, adored his family and loved his work. What more can you ask for? Quality guy. That is what I'll remember - quality, for that's what he was.
I find myself thinking about this past year and what this meant to his family and what they had to go through and continue to go through. This makes me quite sad. I then think about the person he was (or at least what my limited knowledge was) and I have only positve thoughts. I am hopeful that in time these same positive thoughts will be the lasting memory for the Allan family.
Memories, they can be many things for many people. I am thankful that my memory of Mark Allan is a quality memory about a quality guy.
Brent Armstrong
Leslie my thoughts are with you, your children and your family. You truely are one of the strongest people I know. If there is anything I can do for you or the kids please let me know! Anything from babysitting, dinner, someone to listen and talk to or someone to give you a hug, please call me.
ReplyDelete*hugs to all your family*
Tara Arcari
I don't even know how to attempt to express my thoughts...I have typed and backspaced so many times I have lost count...I wish you and your family all the strength in the world through this tough time(it seems like you already have it!)...I am SO sorry to hear about your loss...I worked with Mark for 4 years...although I didn't know every detail about him...He was always there & the thought of him not being there just doesn't seem right...The strongest aspect of him was his HUGE love for his family..He was always so proud of you guys...I think I know more about Audrey then about Mark :)...He was one of the proudest dads I have EVER met...He will be missed...I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through and regardless of how you are choosing to cope with this loss...I admire you for going through it..If you can't change the past, you can take the good things from this...the opportunity to learn more, love more and grow from this...At least you haven't lost the most important part of Mark...He will be with you always...My thoughts are with you...
ReplyDeleteAngela McCredie
I just received the news from my sister Angela as I sit here half way across the world. Mark always told me I was crazy for travelling so much...he said I'd understand when I had a family. Leslie, you and your kids are everything in the world to Mark. As my sister wrote...I think I also know more about your family than I do about him. I can't imagine what your family has gone through this past year. I always try to understand the fragility of life, but always seem to end up feeling that everyone I love is somehow invincible. But this morning...this morning when I read your thoughts, it finally hit me, and because of your words, I will hug my family tighter, I will live my life fuller. Thank you so much for that. Mark's love for you and the kids will always be with you...it is too strong a love to be restricted to this life.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you, Audrey and Noah...
Carla
Dear Leslie,Audrey and Noah,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say how sorry we are for your incredible loss and we are thinking of you. If there is anything that we can do for you please let us know. Leslie although we hardly know one another I am in awe of your strength and positive spirit and believe these qualities will help you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful children.
Sincerely, The McLean Family.
(Olivia from Preschool)
Les, I heard about Mark's passing from my mother. I am so very sorry to hear the news. Knowing you since we were wee things resonates even more strongly- that connection will always be there. Please know that I am thinking of you and have been absolutely inspired by both your and Mark's strength and journey.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tori (Hammond) Kitor xo
Leslie and family,
ReplyDeleteYou don’t know me but I knew Mark. I was well acquainted with the Allen family throughout the 80’s and early 90’s. As a mother and a partner I wanted to send you my sincerest condolences for your loss. Mark had an incredibly bright light and it is unbearably sad that it has dimmed. It will live on in you and his children I am sure.
I am not sure how to contact Kathleen and Chris directly but would like to offer my condolences to them. I would appreciate it if you could please pass on the following message to them.
I have been following your journey via the blog since the summer and wanted to help but was unsure how. I will contribute to the VGH memorial fund to assist you in getting your wish for tribute plaque.
I am so sorry.
Sarah Knox
sarahknox@rogers.com
Kathleen and Chris,
I wanted to say how sorry I am that Mark is gone. Of course in my mind, he is frozen in time laughing and goofing off with Chris doing Pee Wee Herman impersonations (among others). When I watched that movie with my kids I could not get that image of him and how hard we laughed out of my mind. I laughed even harder just remembering. I have often thought of you all – even before I heard last summer that Mark was ill. Our lives were so intertwined in those days! For me, those years and all we did together and everything that happened were so important for me and who I have eventually become. Mark was a big part of that.
I have always admired his incredible sense of fun. Remembering our work together with the Y it seems to me that his destiny was to be an incredible father some day. That makes this so sad! Mark had amazing integrity, and leadership, and loyalty.
I want to thank you Kathleen, for being the mother you are and for raising up the man Mark became. He had a tremendous impact just being who he was. Chris, I want to thank you for showing me what brothers could be. You two inspired me with your silliness, camaraderie, love and affection for each other.
This is a terrible thing. I am so so very sorry for your loss.
Love,
Sal (Sarah Knox)
sarahknox@rogers.com
Dear Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI just heard the news today from Joan - we haven't seen each other much, you remember what it's like in the co-op in the winter months, everyone hibernates and there's not much chatting...
My heart is aching for you and your beautiful children and I'm holding back the tears as I type this at work.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope to see you when the weather is warm and the sun shines again.
Blessings,
Stacy
(& Brent, Hamish & Aslan Campbell)
Oh Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI was so sad to read the news of Mark's passing. I can't even imagine what you are going through; I am marvelling at your strength. My thoughts are with you & your family. Call if you ever feel like connecting again. I miss having you around the co-op.
Vanessa Mackenzie
Leslie,
ReplyDeleteThe celebration today was so beautiful and inspirational. I am praying that you will continue to feel strength even when the days seem dark. You are an inspiration to all those around you.
Love to you,
Jane
Dear Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI remember Mark as a dear friend. I knew him in the eighties and remember much laughter and fun with Chris, Mark, Sal and others. I read of his passing with tremendous sadness and send my thoughts of strength, courage and hope to you and your family.
Chris, I am so very very sorry for your loss. I am sure you will miss Mark a great deal. A big hug to you from me.
Be well, Phoebe
pemiles@magma.ca