In August of 2022, I visited my sister Eileen for her 75th birthday. She was in her final stages of an ovarian cancer battle.
Eileen was the family history keeper; collector of pictures of the Brennan family. She would share many of those pictures during my visit. It was great to see photos of my dad and his family as children ( at one time , he was taller than his baby brother, Uncle Pete ) and pictures of my grandparents. I was only 3 when my Nana passed. My dad was only 10 when his father passed.
While going through the family history, Eileen would receive a phone call from a neighbor/friend named Kathy. She was telling Eileen about her day photographing birds at Prospect Park and Rockaway Beach .
After the phone call, Eileen told me all about Kathy. She was a recently retired photographer for the Associated Press ( a dream job of mine ) who shortly after retiring , was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Five weeks later, Eileen passed away. I would return to NY for the wake and funeral. Kathy attended the wake. We crossed paths. Regretfully, we didnt meet.
This week came the news about her lost battle with ovarian cancer. The AP, her long time employer, presented a beautiful tribute to her story and her work.
In hearing the news of her passing, the New York Yankees paid tribute to her prior to a recent home game.
Ms. Ro 