Ruth Anita Changlee

When I think of my mom the first words that come into my head are:
- kind.
- generous.
- beautiful.
- funny.
- loving.
- caring.
-compassionate.

Ruth aka Anita by many, in a way, was the perfect person. I've know , no one is as perfect as her, but Anita's personality was definitely close. She is definitely one of the most kind- hearted people I have ever met. If you ever needed any help, or a shoulder to cry on, or some advice, it would always be Anita that everyone would go to. She cared so much for other people that she was giving advise to friends and family in need on her dying bed. She loved everyone so much. Another thing she loved was : our heavenly father and the life he blessed her with. She lived everyday to the fullest up to the Wednesday before she died. One thing that made the loss slightly easier, was to know that before she died, she had lived a happy life filled with smiles and she left this world loved; and she loved us in return.

Ruth Changlee was diagnosed with terminal cancer or stage four (4) cancer in 2002. She lived an healthy life after being diagnosed up to October , 2004 when she really became sick and had to leave for Trinidad to have treatment since it was not readily available in Guyana. In march, 2005 she retuned for her daughter engagement party, she was so happy and proud to see her first daughter being taken away by a man who loved her. She spent 7 months with her children after her second daughter wrote her 2nd state board nursing exams, she returned to Trinidad to join her husband and to continue her treatment to combat her already rapidly spreading cancer. While in Trinidad she give support to other women living with cancer .It would be years before her children see her again.
On Friday 14th November ,2008 , a frail but strong Ruth returned to Guyana to see her first and only grandchild and to witness the union of her first born ,her son. She spent Christmas and new years with her children after being away for so long.
Her daughter (Me) , a registered nurse knew that it was a matter of time before her mother depart from this world. She looked after her mom and son after returning from a hard days work. Ruth was hospitalize in February for one week after which she returned home . little did the family knew that she was going to be gone within the month. She was a strong woman.
My mother started to get severe pain during her last month of life it was hard for me to look at her knowing there’s nothing I could do for her , I am glad I did all that I could have done for my mother down to the last hours to her death. I would give up sleeping, hanging out with friend’s .etc and every other thing that I did for my mother just to have her in my arms and tell her how much I love and need her.

No words will ever explain how devastated I am ,that I have to write a memorial for someone who should still be alive today. But in a way, she is still alive, for she touched so many lives in her short 47 years, and she lives on through all of us. Mommy, we miss and love you forever. Rest in peace, beautiful. Keep smiling! xxxxx