Love.
In the Comox Valley, and across the country to Prince Edward Island, the simple four-letter word is closely associated to one woman who spread love through words and her presence in both communities 鈥� Jenn Zahavich.
The PEI native, whose determination to spread love to family, friends, community members and strangers reached thousands through her blog, passed away peacefully at her Courtenay home Sunday night from cancer.
"The family is so grateful for all the support, assistance and most of all love that this community showed to her family and to each other," noted a statement from friends and family.
"Jenn touched more people than she knew through her beautiful and inspiring message through her blog. She's still with us and her message will stay strong."
Zahavich documented her approach to life through posts on Baby, will you love me when I'm bald?, which attracted and inspired followers not only in the Comox Valley and PEI, but across the country and throughout the United States.
"I just feel so loved, it's astounding. It was never my intention to be courageous or inspiring; it's just a bonus," she said in October. "I created the blog to be therapeutic, to deal with my feelings. It's also meant to be a journal to Coady (her son)."
Through her words, Zahavich inspired others to live for the moment, and to never take life for granted.
"I have two options," said the 31-year-old. "You can worry and cry yourself to sleep every night, or you can enjoy the time you have."
"There are so many amazing things that have fallen my way. I can't sit and be sad; I'm so blessed. Really, I'm in the same boat as everyone else. Nobody knows if we're going to wake up in the morning, we all run on assumptions that we will. If (I have a limited time) at least I can say thank you and I love you and say goodnight," she noted.
Messages to her family can be posted on Facebook on the Love for Jenn page, or to read her blog, visit http://babywillyoulovemewhenimbald.blogspot.com.
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
