Farewell, Longhorn

[Matilda]

I received this message today from one of Longhorn's (Kendra) daughters, in response to a PM I
had sent some days ago when I noticed her absence on the forum.

Hello,

I am one of Kendra's daughters. I know that my mom has a lot of friends on DU, I need to let you and them know that mom passed away last night, Feb, 1. She went in for surgery on January 21st. The surgery was to remove her rectum as it had become infected due to her proctitis. It was a very risky surgery but she did make it through that part and was with us to see her son, Steven come home before being shipped to Iraq and to see her oldest daughter who came in from Denver. We thought that she would be able to make it through but the surgery and the cancer were just too much. Her family was with her when she passed and she was peaceful and not in pain.

I don't know who to go to to let her DU friends know what has happened. Can you please let me know or if possible, could you post the below message to whomever should know.

Thank you,

Sara Anis
[e-mail]


At 9:10PM on Sunday, February 1, 2009, our mom, wife, daughter, sister, niece, friend, teacher, mentor, Kendra Joann Kahn, took her last breath. She was surrounded by family and friends and left us quietly and peacefully. Her battle has finally come to an end. She will be loved and missed until the end of our days and she will never be forgotten.

My dad, sisters, brother and I will hold a remembrance day in her honor next Saturday, February 7 at my parents' house in Dripping Springs. We would love to see and meet anyone who's life she has touched. This will be a time to share stories and memories or even to get to know her for the first time. Please forward this to anyone I have missed who you feel might like to know. We would like everyone to feel free to stop by anytime after 1:00PM on Saturday and stay for as long as you like. Of course we will do our best to help make arrangements for our out of town friends and family.

I would like to express again the gratitude we feel toward all of you for sharing your love, support, and strength through this painful time. I would also like to repeat our request that, in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to Hospice Austin's Christopher House where my mom was cared for and kept comfortable for her final days. Throughout this experience we have met some of the kindest, most caring people with what I consider to be one of the most emotionally draining jobs that exists. We are grateful to them all for what they do and for who they are, as we are to all of you, our friends and family.

(Sent by her daughter Sara Anis)

There are so few of us who post regularly on this forum, and I know we will all miss her lively
posts.

Godspeed, Kendra, and peace and love to your family.


Edit to add: I posted Sara's formal announcement on the GD Forum.

[CBHagman]

1. Thank you for posting here and in GD.

It is beyond sad. God rest Kendra's soul. There are so many people who are missing her...

[LeighAnn]

2. RIP Longhorn

She was a great source of strenght and support in the DU Cancer Support group.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=380x1560

:cry:

[eleny]

3. My condolences to all in this group

I know how you'll miss her. :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

4. thank you Matilda for sharing Sara's message with us

I am so very sorry to learn of Kendra's passing. I had no idea that her condition had worsened. She was such an integral part of our little Classics Film family. Her spirit was always optimistic, and she always shared words of encouragement. I am going to miss her-- I've been crying for the last hour. I just can't believe she isn't with us any longer. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :grouphug:

My sincere condolences to her family.....

[Dem2theMax]

5. If a heart can literally break, mine is broken.

Kendra was one of the most wonderful people I have ever 'met' online. I cannot believe this has happened.

I used to do the daily TCM movie posts, until it got to be too much for me. Kendra was one of the folks who took over.

One day, while posting in the forum, I mentioned that I was going to buy myself an extra special present for my 50th birthday. I told the forum that I was going to get this wonderful book on Adrian, the premier costume designer at MGM.

Well, a few days later, a very large package arrived in the mail. Yep. The book on Adrian. From Kendra. She said that this way, I could buy myself another special present.

That was Kendra in a nutshell. Total kindness.

I cannot believe this.

Kendra, rest in peace, dear, dear friend.

My heart goes out to her family.

[lavenderdiva]

6. that's a beautiful story, Dem2theMax

I love that the book was about Adrian, being that we are in the Classics Film forum. That was so sweet of her to do that for you. She was such a kind and sweet person. I always found her to be encouraging to me, and I know she was that way to everyone.

Thank you for sharing-- We are all going to miss her.... :grouphug:

[Lithos]

7. I just got back from the memorial

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=180&topic_id=56119&mesg_id=56170

[Dem2theMax]

8. Lithos, thank you so much for providing the link.

And for all of us at DU who could not go, thank you even more for being at the memorial.

I'm sure the hearts of all DU'ers were there with Kendra's family. :hug:

[samplegirl]

9. I hope she knows how much she will be missed.

I will think of her everytime I use the Classic Film Forum.
I am thankful I let her know several times how much of an asset she was to D.U. and to her efforts.