Remembrance Celebration for Jacque Gray

Jacque Gray was a member of Hope Afloat, the breast cancer survivor’s dragon boat team that my mom is a member of.  Hope Afloat is an amazing group of dedicated, strong, talented, supportive, fun and determined women.  They have formed many bonds through their battles with breast cancer, their camaraderie as a team and so many other life, love, travel and friendship experiences.   As survivors of breast cancer, they have built quite an impressive support system for one another.  Unfortunately,  what has pulled them together has also brought them pain.  They have lost wonderful friends to this terrible disease.  Sadly, Jacque Gray was one of those women.

My mom knew Jacque both from Hope Afloat as well as her workplace, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll.  I didn’t know Jacque but can see that she made a very strong impact on many people.  I had hoped to meet Jacque, whom I had heard so much about, when I accompanied Hope Afloat on their trip to Australia in 2007.  Unfortunately, it turned out that Jacque was unable to make the trip due to her illness.  This must have been heartbreaking for her.  I know that those on the team that had made the trip felt her absence then as, surely, they do even more strongly now.

Since Jacque’s family lives in Ohio and many people were unable to attend the services held there, a Remembrance Ceremony was held at The Vesper Club on Boathouse Row.  Jacque’s friends, family, co-workers and teammates were in attendance.  I was asked to come and take some photographs. of the event and of course said yes.

There were kind words spoken by many, a poem, a slide show of photographs, remembrance pins that were designed in Jacque’s honor,  a flower ceremony on the river and a customized boa made of hand written sentiments on ribbons.  There was also an array of food and drinks including a favorite recipe of Jacque’s, Spiced Cake (so delicious!)

Though I didn’t know Jacque, I found the entire ceremony very touching and beautiful.  I learned a lot about her and the lives that she touched in her all too short time here.  She clearly will be missed by many.

Here are some photographs of the event:

It was a befittingly dreary and rainy day….

Some teammates write sentiments on the ribbons (to be made into a boa and worn on the boat).

The slide show ran the entire time and included various photographs of Jacque, family and friends.  It was really nice.

Jacque’s parents listen to the heartwarming words of friends…

My mom hugs her teammate and good friend, Dale.

After the speakers, everyone headed outside for the flower ceremony.  The rain was really coming down and even still a whole group of people paddled the boat all the way down the river from the dock for the ceremony.

The flowers were thrown into the river to commemorate Jacque’s life.  I’ve seen a few of these ceremonies and they are always very emotional.