Dearest Kim and Family -- So sad to hear to Lillie's passing.  You and your parents were wonderful neighbors throughout the years and we will miss her.  Love to you, John and Karen Belford

I was so saddened to hear of Lillie's death--I only knew her for a few days, but she was a joy to see! Even after she was transferred from our service, we still had to stop by in the morning to see her. I'm so sorry to hear of her death. She was a pleasure to know, if only for a short while. Samatra Doyle, ARNP, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance/UW Medical Center

This message was written for the funeral today and I wanted to share it with Kim, Lillie’s family & friends.  I know all of you shared an individual deep and powerful bond with Lillie and will miss her terribly.  I wish you all peace, love, hope & healing during this sad time.  

Dear Lillie,
I miss you already.  It feels like a light went out.  But I swear that the sun, moon and stars are all shining brighter because of you.  Thank you for showing us all what true selflessness and bravery is.  You fought long and hard and your body gave way long before your true fighting spirit.  In the words of John Mayer “Your Bigger Than Your Body Gives You Credit For”.  I think we all marveled at your ability to fight and persevere and question how and why it happened to someone so damn sweet.  You never had a bad word to say or a complaint in your vocabulary.  You literally did never say a bad word.   I can remember Kim and I trying to get you to swear to no avail and laughing watching you squirm while we did – what brats we were.

I’ll never forget our girls trip to Chelan and all the laughs we had.  I’ll never forget you being there for me and my family.  From your first introduction to Logan at the hospital to surprise appearances at my art shows, always being there for birthday parties, providing motherly pep talks, & cruising on the boat with us being our flagger.  Thank you for allowing us to share your special place in Chelan where we created some of our most cherished memories.  We will never forget the sound of the hide-a-bed being folded up (kaboom) and the diet pepsi can cracking open at 7:30 in the morning, we’ll miss the breakfasts you made us that included kitty cakes, and mostly we’ll miss being “mothered” while on vacation – honestly there was nothing better than that.  We were all nourished with your love once our week was up at Chelan.

I am so grateful for our day last month – we were blessed to have that time with you.  As always, you were most concerned about all of us having a good time even when you were not feeling well.  We will always remember that day and are thankful for those moments with you.  I wish there was more time.  I wish we could have taken that trip up to Silvana Meats that you wanted to do.  I wish we could have taken another trip to Chelan.  I wish I could make you barbeque chicken pizza and coconut cupcakes; I know how much you loved them because you always made sure to tell me – you would say you loved them because you knew that they were “made from the heart”.  Somehow you managed to make me feel special for something so small; but I guess that is one of the many things that are special about you – you appreciated & cherished the small things.  You were and are someone to aspire to be.  

All things Lillie:
Referring to yourself in the 3rd person – “Mom will just do this…”
Diet Pepsi
Dear Friend
Stubborn – you were never going to let that damn cancer get to you without a fight
Sweet
Nurturing
Thrifty – I’ll miss the voicemails telling me about the sales and special bakery events at Fred Meyer 
Proud-Proud Mother
Cherished Mother 
Loved
Lovely
Lit from Within
Glitzy
Treasured
Strong
Role Model – I hope we can all be a little more like you – courageous, kind, generous in spirit & truly nurturing of all other human beings

You shared a special bond with my daughter and I share a special bond with yours.  Thank you the most for creating your beautiful strong daughter, my Best Friend who I cherish and love like a sister.  I promise to always be there for her now and later.  Your incredible strength, generosity & beauty are embedded in her.  We are privileged to have her as part of our family.  

Lastly, thank you for teaching us all that truly connecting with people is what matters the most.  You always made everyone you encountered feel important and honored and touched their lives like a true angel.  

Love you mass bunches,
Tues, Tim & Logan
xoxoxo

We had hoped for so long that this day would never come.  Kim and I are carpool buddies, but to me she’s more like a big sister who I get to ride to work with everyday.  We talk about almost everything.  Recently we were talking about how difficult situations can sometimes bring out sides of people we don’t always get to see.  In Kim's and Lillie’s case, this situation only seemed to bring out the very best in them.  

Two words come to mind when I think of these past two years – strength and love.  At this moment I’m still not sure who was stronger or who had more love to give.  Lillie and Kim endured so much.  They wanted every minute, every last second they could get with each other.  I’m almost convinced sheer determination willed Lillie to become one of the 2% who survive two or more years after diagnosis. Through everything that was going on, Kim managed to gracefully pull it all together.  She never complained.  

Whenever there was a holiday, I would hear stories about how Lillie, Kim and Aunt Shirley would celebrate with the staff and patients at the SCCA.  Nothing was allowed to take their joy and they were going to share it with everyone around them.  They focused on the positive.

In the many years we have been friends with Kim one of my favorite memories of Lillie is of her standing in the front window at her house in Marysville.  If we would go snowboarding and pick Kim up at her Mom’s, Lillie would see Kim off and watch until the car pulled out of sight.  

Lillie would often accompany Kim and I on Dave’s boat to go wakeboarding.  She was the official flag holder.  Typically when a rider falls down, we retrieve them by turning the boat around very slowly to minimize disrupting the surface of the water.  I remember when it was Kim’s turn behind the boat and after awhile she fell down.  As Dave was slowly maneuvering the boat, Lillie sweetly told him, “My baby is in the water and you need to go faster.”  She wasn’t kidding.      

There are so many stories to tell and so many more stories still to be written.  I have a feeling there will always be Kim and Lillie adventures, as Lillie will always be a part of Kim.  Kim has shown us that she is beautiful on the inside and out – just like her Mom.  We will always be reminded of that.

From our family to everyone who has been lucky to know Lillie, Kim and their family, we celebrate Lillie’s boundless love and unbreakable spirit.

Kim, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was an individual with such passion and love, one of those rare angels we are blessed with them having graced our life. She is someone that I shall always look up and strive to be more like.
                            Gabbriella Rupert

Kim,
I was so sad to hear of your moms passing.  My dad called me this morning when he saw the paper.  I remember when we were younger how sweet your mom was and I know you were extremely close.  I hope you are comforted by all the wonderful memories you have with her.  It has been many years since we have seen each other but I wanted you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts.
I am so sorry for your loss.

Doug, Shirley, Tyson and Mr and Mrs Griffith,
Peter and I want  you to know that our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.  Will see you all on Saturday; Peter will be there in spirit as he makes his way home from the NLC.  Anything you need, let us know.  You are loved and treasured.  
Pam Goodman

Kim and family, 

I am so sorry to hear about your Mom...  I know how close you are with your family I and can't even pretend to know how you must feel.  Please know that you are in our prayer.  You are not alone.

Lillie you will be dearly missed.  I thank God every day for bringing you into my mother’s life.  Your friendship meant the world to her and she loved you like a sister.  We were all blessed to have had you in our lives.  

To Lillie’s daughter Kim, sister Shirley and all the other family members our thoughts and prayers go out to each one of you.  She was one special person as you all know.  May all the wonderful memories take away any sadness and may each day you grieve less.

Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear
“Unknown Author”

May God bless you all, Love Jodi, Ron and Sara
Becky’s daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter

Dear Kim,

Many years have passed since I have seen you or you mom, but I have thought of you both often.  I am very sorry for your loss, I know how close you two were.  I will always remember how fun and sweet your mom was, and how much she loved you!  
Thinking of you and your family.

Kim and Shirley,
Lillie gave me motivation and inspiration to do what I do.  I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know all of you through many of our clinic visits at the SCCA.  I had the best teacher and mentor, Dr. Whiting, and our wonderful nurse Deb to care for Lillie.

I remember many things -- many were cancer related, like serious talks about her prognosis, treatment plans & test results, many side effects and symptoms she was suffering from (pain, swelling, fatigue, skin sensitivity, dry tongue, lack of appetite, fluctuating sugar level, bruising, low blood pressure, infections, hospitalizations), but I remember just as many non-cancer related things, like hearing about her shopping spree(s), family vacation & holidays (there were many stories), gourmet food Kim cooked for Lillie, Shirley's wonderful husband and son, silly holiday costumes Dr. Whiting and I were cleverly encouraged to wear (then posing for a picture evidence), and who can forget the Lillie's signature PINK BOXING GLOVES.  Lillie is truly the srongest fighter with the heart of a champion.  

I learned lessons that I could not learn from textbook from you and Lillie.  I'll miss Lillie a lot.  I'll never forget her, and she'll continue to motivate and inspire me.

Kim, I'm so sad to see this news. I have such fond memories of your mom. She was so warm and loving, always a smile on her face. She took such great care of you and your friends. :) I just wanted to let you know that I am so very sorry for your loss, and that I'm thinking of you.

Oh Kim my heart is breaking for you tonight. I have missed you and your mom so much. As you know she was like a mom to me for so many years and I loved her dearly. Hugs to you.

Dear Kim,
We were so saddened to learn of your mother's illness and passing.  She was a remarkable woman and her love for you was immense. I never saw her without a smile on her face.  I know her loss will create a huge void in your life, but hope that you will be able to find that incredible strength that you had at your father's funeral to pull you through this difficult time.  If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask.  You're in our thoughts and prayers.
All Our Love,
Dennis and Donna

Kim & family,
I am so sorry for your loss and very saddened to hear of Lillie's passing.  She was an amazing lady and always so nice and caring.  Her love for you Kim is undescribable. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to know her.  Her cakes were the best! If there is anything at all you need or that I can do to help you or your family, please do not hesitate to ask.  Thinking of you and your family!  Hugs to all of you.

Lillie I will miss your beautiful smile and positive attitude. Kim and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Thoughts going out to Kenzie and Ryder too - I know you will miss your Mom/Grandma and she loved you so much!!

It was my great pleasure to meet and care for this dignified, spunky, and graceful woman and her family at the University of Washington during the final week of her life. Each of you brought inspiration and joy to the entire staff here at UWMC - it was our honor and privilege to be on your medical care team. 

Thinking of you all during this difficult time, and hope you can keep her energy and spirit alive in your own lives!

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Dear Kim and Shirley,

I only got to know you and your Mom (sister) briefly, but even our limited interactions were memorable.  Lillie demonstrated courage and determination despite a debilitating condition and a beyond arduous battle.

I was moved by the love you all shared and the way in which you supported each other.  No Mom could have asked for a more loving daughter, nor could any sister have found a more loyal and caring one.

I know that the pain and suffering are over for Lillie, but that the loss will be hard to bear for a long time.  Be comforted by knowing that you all did the best you could for her, and we did too.

You are in my prayers.

OBITUARY

Lillie F. Sparks

August 20, 1947 – July 18, 2010

Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home

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