Alice

Posted February 20, 2011

Memories of Tyanna from Alice (family friend)
My memory of Tyanna actually comes by way of my own mother. I grew up across the street from the O’Briens and over the years my mom and Tyanna became close friends (as was the case with most people who crossed Tyanna’s path). Eventually, my parents made the decision to divorce, a decision that happened to come at a time when Tyanna was rather sick and in the midst of chemo treatments. Being the ever-selfless and caring friend that she was, Tyanna showed up at my mom’s door one night (knowing that my mom was having a hard time) with 2 glasses, a bottle of wine (of course) and a potted geranium stating that she was there to “cheer up” my mom. My mom stood awe struck—“here was this woman battling for her life and she is here to cheer up me up?” But that surely was the case and Tyanna hadn’t even given it a second thought—-after all in the world according to Tyanna that’s just what good friends do. This may sound unbelievable, I promise it is true, but now over 20 years since that night my mom still has the geranium plant (which she fondly refers to as Tyanna) and the plant is alive and kicking. Every now and then my mom will take some petals from the plant, press them, and send them to Tyanna’s youngest daughter, Katie, as a quick reminder of how wonderful a friend her mother was. This memory is not lost on Katie (who also happens to be my best friend) as she truly carries out Tyanna’s selfless friendship legacy—I know from personal experience :)

Susan Saunders Remphry

Posted February 20, 2011

Memories of Tyanna
from Susan Saunders Remphry (family friend)
I remember the first time I ate dinner over, Mrs. O’Brien had ordered pizzas and invited me to stay. I excitedly called my mom and anxiously waited for her to answer yes. Oh we were so excited I was staying for dinner, yeah!!!!! The pizza’s arrived and Mrs. O’Brien opened the box and much to my surprise the pizza was covered with every vegetable you could imagine. I looked at Bridget and Megan and they said, “yep that’s how she always orders it”. We all laughed and, I as my mother had taught me, always eat what you are given at someone else’s house. so we all sat at the table and enjoyed each other’s company while we ate vegetable pizza.

I also remember on St. Patty’s Day, Mrs. O’Brien would dye everything green even the egg salad. Oh yeah, and cucumber sandwiches was a big hit for her to pack the girls for lunch. Every time, I see a cucumber sandwich on a menu or hear someone talk about the sandwich, I think of Mrs. O’Brien.
She was a wonderful person and, I feel blessed to have known her.

Tyanna's Sister Pam

Posted February 20, 2011

Tyanna
Daughter, sister, friend, student, girlfriend, cousin, wife, mother, volunteer, aunt, worker, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, artist, …many “hats” and even more not mentioned… we shared the sister hat…45 years of memories…a long time
but not long enough… ”what mattered most of all was the dash between those years”
1941-1990… ”that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth… And now only those who loved her know what that little dash is worth”… Every family has someone who “leads the parade”… makes things happen
Tyanna was our “Marco Polo”…exploring every inch of life… It is as though she knew her life on earth was going to be cut short… Tyanna had the Willey sense of humor (our Mom and her four sisters) Took every opportunity to celebrate life’s holidays….Tyanna would Make an event out of the simplest trips… Tyanna, Marvin and I went to the Greyhound bus station to pick up Sara… Waiting in boredom, Tyanna pulled out her movie camera, filming the Childlike antics of three grown adults… Dancing, singing, eating, fashion show… by the time Sara arrived we had produced “Waiting on the Bus”… our movie cherished by the “pack”. I only pray that every family has a Tyanna in their world… Making us forget the stresses and tears of this mean world… Stopping long enough to “smell the roses” and breathing “fresh air”…drinking a glass of wine
I am so thankful I was part of Tyanna’s dash… love her sister Pam

Valerie Kent

Posted February 20, 2011

The first person I knew who had breast cancer was my great aunt, Aunt Margaret. Although she was my grandmother’s sister, I still think of Aunt Margaret as my third grandmother. My sister and I spent many weekends and even summer vacations with her. Aunt Margaret was an incredibly generous, kind and independent woman. By the time I knew her, Aunt Margaret was retired but still very active. She planned monthly fund raising bus trips for her church and served on the Ham and Oyster Supper Committee. She showed the importance of giving back and helping in the community. I still remember Aunt Margaret working on her last bus trip from her hospital room. She was going through radiation at the time, but still managed the bus trip from the hospital: collecting payments, verifying attendees and confirming the itinerary.

Over the years I’ve lost my grandmother, Aunt Margaret’s sister, to
breast cancer and have friends who are survivors. I like to think of my involvement with The Tyanna Foundation as Aunt Margaret’s legacy. If breast cancer wasn’t such a taboo word at the time of her disease, I’m sure she would have been organizing all kinds of breast cancer fundraising events.

Cathy Martin

Posted October 15, 2010

Cancer is all around us, it impacts us all. Whether ourselves, friends, colleagues, or family members, we feel the pain, fear, and loss that comes with this disease. But we also find unimaginable strength, determination, and grace that comes with fighting and winning the battle against cancer. It is important to remember all that we have loved and lost to Cancer. The Tyanna Foundation is a unifying force that provides inspiration, hope, humor, and friendship to all those touched by Cancer. We are a community. Cancer does not define us – it empowers us to do more, to be better.