Letterto the Editor
The passingof Billie Currie, 1926 - 2002
Submitted by BarbaraCurrie-Dailey
Sunday, 28 April, 2002
I want to take this opportunity to thankour many friends in Cayman for your prayers, and the concern andkind thoughts conveyed to me through my husband Jim during thepast four months while I was away as caregiver during my mother'scourageous battle with cancer.
My beloved mom and dear friend Billie Curriepassed away last Wednesday, 24 April at their home in Vero Beach,Florida, uncomplaining until the very end, surrounded by her family.While we are experiencing the relief of knowing that she is nolonger suffering and in a better place, this is a very difficulttime for us. We will be forever grateful to the wonderful staffof Hospice of Indian River County (Florida). These angels on earthmade her final weeks as comfortable as possible and allowed herto die peacefully in her home instead of a hospital.
At mom's request, there will be no funeral.A memorial Catholic Mass will be held on May 1 at St. John ofthe Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL for family and closefriends. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to remember my momcan make donations to Hospice of Indian River County at 1111 36thStreet, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 or to the Hospice Care programhere in Grand Cayman.
My mother's diagnosis of terminal liverand lung cancer came over Christmas. It was sudden, completelyunexpected and a shock to us. Then in January we had more sadnews, when my 82-year-old dad was diagnosed with terminal bonecancer, which has spread extensively throughout his body, theresult of prostate cancer. He was already severely limited inhis mobility and this has made it much worse. I was taking careof both parents at the same time. Now, with the passing of mymom, his condition has worsened dramatically.
I have no idea how much longer Dad willbe with us, as the depth of his grief over losing his wife andsoul mate of 55 years is beyond comprehension. His doctor stoppedchemotherapy last week and has enrolled him in Hospice to allowhim the same palliative care and comfort my mother received. Nowas his primary caregiver, I will have to be away indefinitely.
Many of you remember my parents, Fred andBillie Currie, from their visits to Cayman in the 80's beforeDad's prolonged illness prevented them from traveling overseas.They loved staying on Seven-Mile Beach at Silver Sands and LondonHouse-and getting to know our Caymanian people. While Dad nevermade it to the Brac, Mom traveled there with me in 1978 --it washer idea of heaven on earth. Dad's fishing trips with CaptainArthle Evans on Theresia D remain one of his fondest memories,although for him, the big tuna and blue marlin always turned intobarracuda by the time they hit the cockpit.
Mom wanted to me to say thank you to everyonein Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac who helped create those wonderfulmemories. A very special thanks to our friends, Robby and CarleneHamaty, and Monique and Marcus Simmonds of Tortuga Rum Company.They always made sure Mom and Dad always had Tortuga Rum cake,which they loved, and generously sent an endless supply of thankyou gifts for us to use during the past few months.
As the owners of Island Fever Press Ltd.and Underwater Supply Ltd. Jim and I want to thank you for yourpatience and understanding during the coming months, as we haveno idea what they will bring or when I will be able to come homeagain. As Jim's right arm in Underwater Supply Ltd., my absencehas placed a huge workload on him, in addition to traveling upto see me.
You can reach me at 695 26th Court, VeroBeach, FL 32962 or e-mail me at bcdailey@bellsouth.net and I willappreciate hearing from everyone, but can't promise chatty orprompt replies. My days can be very long and I don't always geta chance to check for messages every evening.
Again, thanks so much to everyone.
Barbara Currie Dailey