It is with the heaviest of weights on my heart and tears in my eyes that I write to you all tonight on behalf of the Look Out Loud team.
As many of you know, Maggie headed home for a break just before Thanksgiving to be with her family and support her mom, Lisa, who was experiencing a relapse of multiple myeloma, the same cancer she courageously battled and overcame two years ago. It was tough for our dedicated Maggie to physically step away from the project for the moment, but Annie and I supported her 110% in taking a pause to be with her family and support her mom in this new fight. We all knew in our hearts that home was where she should be for this.
Over the past few weeks as I moved to the Philippines and continued pressing forward with our project, Lisa endured aggressive chemotherapy treatments with her loving and devoted family by her side the whole time in an effort to yet again beat this relentless disease. But as the days went on, it was clear to Lisa that the drips, tubes, and wires were not working: it was time to stop treatment and return home. Peaceful with their mom's decision to return to her childhood home in Connecticut (now home to Maggie's Aunt and Uncle) to breathe in the fresh air, listen to the songs of the birds, and enjoy time with family and friends close by, Maggie and her sisters, Ellie and Katherine, and their father John, made journey with Lisa to Fairfield.
Once at home, Lisa was surrounded with constant love as she rested by a warm fire, spent some time soaking up the warm rays of the afternoon sun, and enjoyed conversation, laughs, and walks down memory lane with family and friends. A dedicated and wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher, Lisa received countless notes and remembrances from students both current and former, friends, and colleagues. A true testament to her life's work and influence; Lisa's undeniable gift for teaching inspires all who have ever stepped into one of her classrooms. No surprise to any of us, Lisa spent her last days to the fullest, enjoying the company of loved ones, listening to Christmas songs and poetry about nature, and lighting up the room with her positive spirit and beautiful smile until the last moments when she passed away peacefully on December 13th, surrounded by her adoring family. Lisa is now free, soaring on wings like eagles.
Our hearts are broken by the loss of Lisa, and Annie and I mourn deeply with our most dear friend, Maggie, and her family, whom we love with our entire hearts. But what this world has gained from Lisa's presence here throughout her lifetime is reason to celebrate. What a legacy Lisa leaves; one of a life fully lived with beauty, love, selflessness, and grace. And the living legacy in her daughters and husband, all passionate, creative, and strong individuals, will continue on as a tribute to Lisa's inspirational life.
It was shortly after Lisa stopped her treatment that Maggie and I decided that it would be best for me to join her back in the states for a little while, to be near when Lisa did pass away and to be home for Christmas. So after securing our new Photovoice project at the Stairway Foundation and giving assignments to the participants for the Christmas holidays, I began the journey home from the Philippines on December 12th. I am so thankful to be home during this time to support our strong Maggie and her family as well as spend time with mine during this holiday season. Looking forward, I will be returning to the Philippines at the beginning of January to continue the work of the Look Out Loud Project and Maggie will join me there whenever she is ready.
Please keep Maggie, Ellie, Katherine, John, and the rest of Lisa's family and friends in your prayers for peace, comfort, and strength over the coming days, throughout this holiday season, and in the months to come. Cissel Family, Annie and I are loving you from all corners of this earth.
Thanks again to our readers and backers for all of your support, especially during this time.
Love,
Meagan
*P.S. Lisa's memorial service is planned for Thursday, December 20 at 11a.m at St. Timothy's Church, 4670 Congress Street, Fairfield CT.
In lieu of flowers, the family is inviting those who wish to make a donation in Lisa's memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
As many of you know, Maggie headed home for a break just before Thanksgiving to be with her family and support her mom, Lisa, who was experiencing a relapse of multiple myeloma, the same cancer she courageously battled and overcame two years ago. It was tough for our dedicated Maggie to physically step away from the project for the moment, but Annie and I supported her 110% in taking a pause to be with her family and support her mom in this new fight. We all knew in our hearts that home was where she should be for this.
Over the past few weeks as I moved to the Philippines and continued pressing forward with our project, Lisa endured aggressive chemotherapy treatments with her loving and devoted family by her side the whole time in an effort to yet again beat this relentless disease. But as the days went on, it was clear to Lisa that the drips, tubes, and wires were not working: it was time to stop treatment and return home. Peaceful with their mom's decision to return to her childhood home in Connecticut (now home to Maggie's Aunt and Uncle) to breathe in the fresh air, listen to the songs of the birds, and enjoy time with family and friends close by, Maggie and her sisters, Ellie and Katherine, and their father John, made journey with Lisa to Fairfield.
Once at home, Lisa was surrounded with constant love as she rested by a warm fire, spent some time soaking up the warm rays of the afternoon sun, and enjoyed conversation, laughs, and walks down memory lane with family and friends. A dedicated and wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher, Lisa received countless notes and remembrances from students both current and former, friends, and colleagues. A true testament to her life's work and influence; Lisa's undeniable gift for teaching inspires all who have ever stepped into one of her classrooms. No surprise to any of us, Lisa spent her last days to the fullest, enjoying the company of loved ones, listening to Christmas songs and poetry about nature, and lighting up the room with her positive spirit and beautiful smile until the last moments when she passed away peacefully on December 13th, surrounded by her adoring family. Lisa is now free, soaring on wings like eagles.
Our hearts are broken by the loss of Lisa, and Annie and I mourn deeply with our most dear friend, Maggie, and her family, whom we love with our entire hearts. But what this world has gained from Lisa's presence here throughout her lifetime is reason to celebrate. What a legacy Lisa leaves; one of a life fully lived with beauty, love, selflessness, and grace. And the living legacy in her daughters and husband, all passionate, creative, and strong individuals, will continue on as a tribute to Lisa's inspirational life.
It was shortly after Lisa stopped her treatment that Maggie and I decided that it would be best for me to join her back in the states for a little while, to be near when Lisa did pass away and to be home for Christmas. So after securing our new Photovoice project at the Stairway Foundation and giving assignments to the participants for the Christmas holidays, I began the journey home from the Philippines on December 12th. I am so thankful to be home during this time to support our strong Maggie and her family as well as spend time with mine during this holiday season. Looking forward, I will be returning to the Philippines at the beginning of January to continue the work of the Look Out Loud Project and Maggie will join me there whenever she is ready.
Please keep Maggie, Ellie, Katherine, John, and the rest of Lisa's family and friends in your prayers for peace, comfort, and strength over the coming days, throughout this holiday season, and in the months to come. Cissel Family, Annie and I are loving you from all corners of this earth.
Thanks again to our readers and backers for all of your support, especially during this time.
Love,
Meagan
*P.S. Lisa's memorial service is planned for Thursday, December 20 at 11a.m at St. Timothy's Church, 4670 Congress Street, Fairfield CT.
In lieu of flowers, the family is inviting those who wish to make a donation in Lisa's memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
