Briana Brownlow 1976-2008
I am so sorry to say that my beautiful and talented wife Bri passed away last Monday at 3:25am. She was having breathing problems and slipped off in her sleep. I am glad she did not have too much discomfort and was able to stay home for the duration as she wished.
Throughout both struggles with cancer, Bri maintained her cheery optimistic attitude and won over everyone that came in contact with her. Kindness and generosity was reflected back to her in many surprising and delightful ways. Most notably the fundraiser that Bee and Jai of Jugalbandi, Shankari of Stream of Consciousness, Manisha of Indian Food Rocks and Garrett of Vanilla Garlic put on, which was successful beyond our wildest dreams. Later, the hospital waived ER fees and Memorial Hospice of Santa Rosa donated their services free of charge. There were so many people cheering her on. She felt grateful for the continual flood of gifts and loving wishes from everyone around her. You all have my heartfelt thanks for the support you shared however big or small. Your positive encouragement bolstered her strength and determination. Despite all of this, the disease was just too much for her body.
Bri started this blog after she had gone through one bout of cancer treatment and was in remission. It was a labor of love for her. For the first time she felt like she had found her calling. Writing and cooking and connecting with people who shared her passion. Joy is always better shared, and this blog allowed her to share it with countless people around the world.
She loved to nurture others with delicious food and heartfelt conversation. She was particularly fond of introducing people to food they had never tasted before. And loved to watch with glee as they delighted in the wonderful surprise of discovering new flavors. Her ease with people and innate brightness of spirit was a joy to be around. I am honored to have had her presence grace my life. The pain of the loss is tremendous. I am wading through my grief and trying to come to terms with a world without her laughter, but feel comforted that she shared her warmth with me for a while.
I have a favor to ask of all of her readers and friends around the globe.
Life is unpredictable and often shorter than we wish. When you sit down to eat, take a moment to savor the deliciousness that crosses your palate. Delight in each precious moment of joy, beauty and friendship. We never know how many we will be given.
For the love of all things scrumptious
-Marc
Thanks! Kella
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Marc, to your request I give a resounding “yes.” My thoughts are with you, Bri’s family, and yours. Just looking at the picture I can feel so much love is overflowing between the two of you, and reading your words I can’t help but cry.
Thank you, Bri, for the love you shared with us all.
Thank you, Marc, for sharing the news — and as Manggy said, thank you, Bri, for the joy and laughter and love you brought to our lives. My thoughts are with all of you in this difficult time, but I know you will have many, many wonderful and beautiful memories to bring you comfort and peace in the days and years to come. Love to you all!
Dear Marc,
I know how hard it must be for you to write this post. I am so terribly sorry to hear about Bri, I always held a little place in my thoughts for her, desperately hoping that she would come through this.
I loved to read her blog, recipes and her quite often, humorous take on life. She introduced me to the pawpaw fruit (http://figswithbri.com/?p=44) – not my favourite I have to say – but that is what food bloggers do best, share their finds, tastes and recipes.
This weekend I’m going to make something from Figs with Bri, and savour every second…
Take care,
With love from Nic
I didn’t know Bri, but I am gonna miss her too ! She seemed like a fine woman. Hugs to you.
Oh Marc, what a beautiful tribute to a beautiful and smiling woman. I am so very sorry. I know the loss is overwhelming. Please remember that you and your families need to eat, sleep, take care of yourselves. It’s hard to do when you walk around numb, your mind in a fog.
I never sought out other breast cancer patients or support groups, but Bri – in her sweet and generous presence – commented on my blog and encouraged me during my treatments. She was always positive, kind, humorous. Bri is an example of the dignity with which we should all strive to live our lives. She was remarkable.
My heart goes out to you and your families.
Oh, Marc… I’m so, so sorry.
Thank you for finding room in your grief to write this beautiful remembrance of Bri. Though we met her just once, she was such a sunny spot in our online lives.
I am in tears… my heart goes out to you and I am so sorry for your loss and the loss of the food blogging community.
Marc,
I only discovered Bri’s site earlier this week. I found it very interesting and friendly. I bookmarked it and looked forward to learning more today. I didn’t know Bri’s story before today but I shed a tear for her (and you) when I read your message. The love you share is evident in your words and especially in your photo.
I will take your words to heart and remember to “savor the deliciousness” of life and love. The next time I am making a meal I will think of your Bri and be thankful for the small but meaningful way she touched my life.
Your wife was a brave and beautiful person, inside and out, and will be missed by an enormous community of people. All our thoughts go out to you, Marc.
I’ve been thinking of Bri and you and your family since I heard the news early this week–my heart goes out to you all. I’ll take your advice and cherish–not only my food, but also my days and moments. Please take care of yourselves in these hard times–there are many of us sending our best your way.
I send you my love and warm thoughts. I will always remember Bri.
Even though I have lost my mom to cancer more than 22 years ago, I never know what to say in times like these. I’m so, so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and all the relatives.
Bri will be forever in our hearts, that is for sure.
I’m heartbroken. Thank you for sharing her with us all.
Bri was a delight to read. She was truly a special and gifted person.
I am sadder than I want to be. I want to remember finding out about Mrs. Marv’s Chubble Bread instead. And I also want to remember that this was my first food blog from which I found all of the others and the reason I get in trouble at work for licking the screen.
All my love and thoughts are with you and your family, like everyone else your words moved me to tears. Please accept this big hug from over the sea sent with much much love. The thing is Bri’s gift to us all will keep giving, not just in every time we make one of her amazing meals but each time we pass that idea on to a friend, partner or child – she will keep on touching peoples lives and delighting them!
Bri touched all our lives in a special way. I agree with you that we should cherish every moment. My love to you, Cynthe and your families. Take care of yourself, Marc.
May her soul rest in peace.
Thank you, Marc, for this post. It is reassuring to hear from you, even under these circumstances. We take solace in knowing that Bri lived fully and embraced all the possibilities around her. We wish you and your family strength and solace as you cope with your great loss.
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your families, may you have all the strength you need to cope. Bri will be sorely missed.
Bri gave us the gift of community and the realization that anything can be accomplished if we all stick together.
My thoughts are with you and the family, Marc.
Thanks, beautiful Bri.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Marc,
I am so very sorry for the loss of Bri.
What a beautiful tribute you wrote for your wife.
I had some dark chocolate with sea salt and thought of Bri and somehow knew that she would have approved of the strange combination.
All the very best to you and yours, and again, I am so sorry.
Marc, I am so so sorry. I don’t know what else to say.
Marc,
I am so sorry for your loss. Bri was a remarkably special person and I’m glad I got to know her through this space. I couldn’t help but cry reading your heartfelt tribute.
Bri will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to you and your families.
Take care.
What a beautiful tribute to Bri. I was so sorry to get the news that her struggle had ended, and even though I only knew her through her blog, it was clear that she was very special. My best to you at this difficult time.
Hi Marc,
Thank you for your passionate words. It was because of bloggers like Bri that I started my own blog. I can only hope to partially live up to what she was able to do.
I will continue to think of you for months and years to come.
Hilary
Marc….Please accept my deepest condolences…I lost one of my aunts to cancer and I personally know how difficult it is for us to give the person the kind of encouragement they actually need amidst our grief.You’ve done a good job..god bless you.May Bri’s soul rest in peace!!!
I was so sad to hear this news. My very deep sympathy to your family.
Did not know Bri, until Jai and Bee posted, had faith that she might come out of this,but destiny seems to hv had other plans. Whatever little I read from Bri, touched me. May her soul rest in peace, strength to your families.
Thinking of you…
A beautiful post, Marc.
I wish you strength to cope with your very great loss and send love to you and to all Bri’s family and friends.
Bri was such an inspiration to all of us. We loved her through her blog. An incredibly special person and an incredibly special family.
Heart touching post,Marc.I came to know Bri through Bee and Jai posts.Even though i dint know her persoanlly but she touched my heart through her warmth and beaming energy.I will always admire her courage,kindness.
Please accept my deepest condelences.May Bri’s soul reat in peace.
Take care.
Marc, what a beautiful tribute to a wonderful person. I didn’t know Bri personally, but her story touched me to the deepest of my heart. We emailed each other once and she sounded so vibrant, kind, so warm. I wish you lots of strength to cope with your pain. I will never forget Bri…
Wishing u strength as u cope with his huge loss.
God Bless.
My deepest condolences to you and your family, Marc. Bri was a courageous person who’s strength and positive energy despite the pain she was in, was an inspiration to us! May her sould rest in peace.
What a loving, gentle soul. May memories of Bri bring you comfort to the end of your days.
I discovered Bri and her world at Bee and Jai’s blog. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
May her smiling face, courage, memories and God give you and family the strength to cope and go on.
Thinking of you… and remembering Bri.
I’m so sorry… A beautiful tribute and post.
In thoughts with you,
Rosa
Marc,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of Bri. Those of us in the food blogging community will miss her contributions, her sense of humor, and the lovely way she made everything she blogged about accessible.
Dear Marc,
This is a lovely tribute to your beloved wife. The pain of losing someone so dear must be unbearable. We can all the see the love between you two. It is lovely. Marc, find comfort in seeing your wife in such light as many men can’t and don’t share the same sentiments of their wives.
We all know Bri will want you and your families to live well despite having to face with such a loss. Remember, Bri will be looking down with a smile on her face everytime you feed yourself a scrumptious meal.
My heart goes out to you and your family. Do take care.
Bri will always be remembered.
May you find strength to deal with this loss.
Life is unpredictable and often shorter than we wish. When you sit down to eat, take a moment to savor the deliciousness that crosses your palate. Delight in each precious moment of joy, beauty and friendship. We never know how many we will be given.
I will try – take care.
My sympathy to you. MAy Bri rest in peace. She will be missed.
We were soo sorry to hear the loss of Bri. May god give you enough strength to deal with this loss. The last few lines are so true, I will keep them in mind Marc.
Tears streaming down my face when i read this.I’m so sorry. May peace be upon her
Our thoughts are with you now, Marc.
What a moving tribute and admirable request. I try to remind myself to take each day like it is the only one you get and your loss makes it ever so urgent to remember that and your request. My hear reaches out to you and I am truly sorry for the untimely loss of Bri.
Marc
I am so sorry to hear about the tragic loss of your beautiful and brave wife Bri. Her courage was an inpsiration to me. My heartfelt thoughts are with you and your families.
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