Maria passed away on June 5, 2024, surrounded by family and friends after a long and hard fought battle against cancer. Although she had been fighting her illness for a few years, that didn’t stop her from going on fabulous adventures, including climbing mountains, (yes, even Machu Picchu) and hot air ballooning. In October 2022, Maria participated in the Sarawak International Dragonboat Regatta and brought home a gold medal along with her cancer survivor crew!

Whether on an outrigger canoe, sailboat or dragon boat, Maria loved being around water. However, she also loved solid ground. She could be found in a field of tulips in Skagit, Washington, or among the spring poppies in the California desert. Or, how about Mt. Whitney and Half Dome, which she climbed 3 times!!

To quote one of her social media posts, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion.” Let us remember those words from dear Maria, and do our best to follow her advice.

John O’Donohue