Thursday, November 30, 2006

Hug the women in your life.....

I just received word that a friend of mine has lost her battle with Cancer. Lisa Baca died at 4:55 this morning. She was only 38 years old and the mother of three young boys. She found out that she had breast cancer when she was pregnant with her youngest son. She fought long and hard and became a survivor. The cancer decided to return this time in her liver, in her lungs and in lymph nodes that were inoperable. She found this out earlier this year. At the time they gave her only 2-3 months be she fought and made it almost to see another Christmas with her family. Through this year she suffered numerous tumors (including a brain tumor) and illnesses that kept her in and out of the hospital.

This has really hit me hard. The instant I read this I couldn't help but cry. I met Lisa when I workd in Jacksonville, Fl. I was a recruiter and we hired her to work remotely. We hit it off instantly. We were two peas in a pod. I had the pleasure of meeting her in person once on one of my trips to NY. (She lived in CT and had driven down to work with me during my visit). Through the years we managed to stay in touch. I guess you could say we had a long distance friendship. This article was written about her just this summer.

The world has lost a truly remarkable woman today. Her family has lost a loving daughter, wife and mother. I have lost a friend.

Updated: Below is her obituary:

Lisa Anne (Brolin) Baca of Torrington
was a beautiful blue eyed Angel, sent to be with us for only a short time. Born Dec. 31st 1967 in Hartford CT, Lisa lost her courageous, positive, and valiant 3.5 year battle against a rare and aggressive breast cancer Thursday Nov 30, 2006.
She leaves to mourn her loss her High School Sweetheart and loving husband of 17 years, Michael S Baca and their sons Ryan 12, Colin 11, and Liam 3, at home., Her parents Carl and Janice (MacCallum) Brolin of Torrington, grandmothers Bernadette Brolin and Audrey MacCallum of Torrington, great aunt Audrey Houston of NY, aunts and uncles, Howard and Merle( MacCallum ) Wilcox of New Hartford, Nita MacCallum of Bristol, Kenneth and Cynthia Brolin of Virginia, and Audrey Brolin of Plainville, and father in law Andrew M. Baca of Torrington and sister in law Annette Baca of California and many cousins and friends. Lisa was predeceased by grandfathers Carl W. Brolin and Colin C. MacCallum and mother in law Claire Baca.
Lisa was diagnosed with breath cancer while pregnant with her youngest son Liam. Over 3.5 years she was re-diagnosed another 2 times, but always greeted everyone with a smile, the comment "I'm feeling fine, one day at a time," and encouraged many patients she met while being treated. She was always positive, teaching her children to grasp the good out of something bad. She was strong in faith, telling her children not to be made at God, that there was a reason for this to happen, even though none of us knew what it could possibly be.
Lisa graduated from Torrington High Class of 1986, and Endicott College with a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. Immediately after graduation she became Manager of Friendly's in Simsbury, later working as Management Recruiter for the same Company. She also worked in Recruiting for Storage USA and American Express. The position she loved most was when she became a Tastefully Simple Consultant, building her business quickly to become Team Leader. She enjoyed the opportunity to get out of the house and put herself in front of many women who needed to hear breast cancer statistics and the reason for early detection. Lisa has been supported by many friends during this journey. January 29, 2004 a Pink Tie Ball was held for her in Litchfield to raise money for a Scholarship Fund and a trip to Disney. Saint Paul's Lutheran Church has been more than generous with their love and contributions of money to help the family. June 24, 2006 Lisa was Honorary Chairperson of The American Cancer Relay for Life held in Winsted, walking 5 miles herself. Lisa used to say, "God gave me a big mouth and I think my purpose is to spread the word of breath cancer. To make people aware it not only effects those with the disease but family that have to live the journey too. It takes young women away from their children and something needs to be done to find a cure."
Funeral services will be held on Monday Dec. 4 at 11:00 AM at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church 837 Charles St Torrington. Friends may call at The Phalen Funeral Home 285 Migeon Ave. Torrington on Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Memorial Contributions can be made to Michael Baca C/O Lisa Baca Scholarship Fund Litchfield Bancorp 1320 East Main ST Torrington CT 06790.
online memorials at www.phalenfuneral.com.
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