In Remembrance of an Angel

Farrah Fawcett (February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009)

Some how, every generation of woman has their own girl next door with which to compete and identify.  Just like the iconic picture of Betty Grable’s legs during World War 2 and Marilyn Monroe’s restless white dress during the 1960s, those of us who went to university during the 70s most likely dealt with a boy who’s dorm was decked with Farrah. I never tried to get that Farrah do, but I knew many girls that spent hours with perm solutions, dyes, and rollers, trying.  If there was ever a living barbie doll, Farrah was it.

Then, as usual, we find out there is more to the pin-up girl than the pin-up alone.  As we grew up, we found out she actually could act (The Burning Bed, 1984) and she was a woman of substance.  (If not substance abuse,  if you remember that David Letterman interview).  Some how,  Farrah always proved the survivor. The actress recently has received acclaimed from her very public fight with  cancer. 

Fawcett made a heartfelt documentary in 2008 entitled “A Wing & a Prayer: Farrah’s Fight for Life“, which follows her battle with Cancer and is a must watch, very touching…

Oddly, enough, as the announcement of her death pinged from my blackberry across the room, I was standing at one of those infernal machines that causes my breasts to hurt for days and saves many, many women’s lives.  As a cancer survivor myself of 19 years next month, each time some we lose another person, I realize how much farther we need to go in handling this problem.  My dad started radiation this week for a lump on his neck.  It’s always a reminder of how close I was and we all our to a battle for our life.

Farah was 62.  Her long time significant other Ryan O’Neill was with her at the time.  They have a son,Redmond, together who like many other things in her life, has proved a challenge.  Ryan was on tv as recently as last week insisting that Farrah had decided that she would finally marry him and was hoping to get Redmond released for a short visit.  From all accounts, she died peacefully this morning.