PARFORD-KEYS _ Matthew Ryder Parford-Keys (McKee), May 21, 1984 - March 22, 2007, passed away in his sleep, succumbing to an 18 month battle with Leukemia. He is survived by his loving mother, Geri Parford, (Ray Jourdain) and numerous loving family members, too many to list here. Memorial date April 02, 2007. Richmond Funeral Home. 8420 Cambie Rd, Richmond, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations to blood bank or to the Cancer Agency.I'm so sad today. This is my neighbor Geri's son. When we moved in 7 years ago, he played his music until 1:30 in the morning on a work night. I went over the next morning to ask (very nicely) that in the future, he shut it down a little earlier. What I wouldn't give to hear him wailing to his music today.
Geri has raised this boy by herself from day one, which was two months after she turned 23. He had downs syndrome, so you can imagine how rough it would have been for her. She was so great with him and he was a beautiful boy. Now, two months before he was to turn 23, he is gone. When she came to my door over a year ago and told me that he was diagnosed with Leukemia, we were all optimistic about his prognosis. Then one day while I was highlighting her hair, she told me that he wasn't going to make it. I've seen him go from a chubby playful boy, to a very sick young man, needing my help to get him from the car into their townhouse. You should have seen her standing there after the service greeting and hugging all of the crying guests. She was such a trooper, smiling and laughing with everyone. The tears fell from my eyes continuously throughout the service and then some more on the drive home. I got home from the funeral about a half hour ago and I sit and write this with a heavy heart. I'm glad his pain is over, but the rest of us are so sad to see him go and so sad for his mom. Rest in Peace Matthew. The world will miss you.
10 comments:
My condolences to you and your friend. It is so hard to see such a young person die. My own sons are 24 and nearly 22. It must be very hard for your friend.
I can imagine what your feelings are when you see a good friend in such grief. It's very sad to lose your child. Our condolences for your friend and neighbour Gery.
I'm so sorry about the passing of your friend, and my prayers are with his mother.
I hate cancer.
Sharon,
Words are so little in times like these.How can one console a mother who has lost her child.You are very sweet for sharing this with us,and the more I think of it I find neither rhyme nor reason for children to suffer and die.I pray the Lord looks over all the children of the world and protects them from illness and harm.
Kiki
I am so sorry to hear about Matthew's passing. I know Geri very well as I worked with her in Vancouver. I now live in Toronto. So sad, he was such a sweet boy and Geri is one of the greatest mom. My thoughts and prayers are with her.
Sharron,
I am so sorry for the loss of this surely vibrant young life. Most of the people that I have met with downs syndrom are so upbeat and chearful. Theie enthusiasm for life is contagious. His mother will be in my thoughts.
Thanks everyone. I talked to Geri the other day and she's coping and doing well. Obviously she is still pretty tender, but she's making plans for the future, which is always a good sign. Hey, I'm curious. Who is the anonymous commenter who worked with Geri? I'd like to send her your regards.
Dear Geri:
My name is, GRACE WEI JU CHEN.
I just really want to know ... Geri's Home phone or Address, because I just really want to say, I'm really sorry to hears that, your son's passed away.
I knew Matt, bcause we uses to go to the Summer School together and I'm really, really, miss him a lot.
Geri, can you please, send me an E Mails:
grace.of.chen15@gmail.com
GRACE CHEN
Geri; will you please ... send me an E Mails:
I want to know; when Matt comes back?
Here is my GMAIL ADDRESS:
grace.of.chen15@gmail.com
I am Matt's Ex-Girlfriend; GRACE Wei Ju CHEN
I check this blog every once in a while and found a friend of Matt's missing him. I contacted her so now we continue the memory of Matt between us. :) For those of you who don't know, I remarried, not to the man I was with at the time of Matt's passing, he was NOT the one LOL. I am married to a lovely man named Glen, he is the right one. It's been 5 years since Matt passed and I am finally no longer walking around like the walking wounded. Matt is with me always, and I found my way thru the storm, as John Meyers says, "My shadow days are over". Life does go on, and if you are patient you can smile again..........
Many thanks to those who posted and wished me well, I did get there. :)
Post a Comment