It has been four years since Eileen Lehman died of her valiant struggle with cancer. There isn't a day that goes by I don't miss her. She and I met on the playground in 4th grade. I was fairly new to Canandaigua and didn't have many friends but she took the time to talk to me. It wasn't until years later in 10th grade that we were in the same gym class. I didn't know at the time what it was about her but after talking to her only a few times, I knew that I wanted to be her friend. I knew that my life would be better for having her in it. I was lucky enough to be called one of her best friends.
Eileen and I had a strong connection. My favorite memories of her and I were on sleepovers at either her house or mine talking into the wee hours. We would talk, fall asleep, wake up at 2am and talk again. We were never at a lack of things to say to each other. What I miss most about Eileen is her laugh. We could crack each other up just by a look.
Unfortunately, during one of her many operations to rid her cancer that ability to laugh was taken away and replaced by a machine. But even through that machine she continued to display her humor, her sacrasm, and her wit and wisdom. When I hear commercials about cancer treatment centers and they say I survived cancer, I often think and know that Eileen "survived" her cancer. I say she "survived" because as her best friend, I watched her every step of the way. All the biopsies and the waiting to see if it was cancer. Sometimes the cancer could be rid of by a doctors visit and unfortunately other times major surgeries. Through it all, Eileen really didn't complain that much. She was in pain and was struggling, as a friend I know, but it was not always so evident. Even at the end of her life, I just couldn't believe that she was going to die. We all thought because she seemed so strong that she could even beat this.
My saddest memory of course was the last time I saw her. Eileen was not much for showing affection. I was always the one who wanted to hug. When I asked for a hug, She would indulge me,. The last day I visited her in the hospital, a week before she died, she reached out to me and gave me the tightest hug ever. Neither one of us wanted to let go.
Whoever had the idea for the memorial picnic for Eileen, thank you for setting that up and ensuring that we have a place to honor a proud and active member of the Class of 1983. I hope we never forgot what a vibrant, wonderful and kind human being she was. A good friend to all.
I did not know Eileen well in school, but did get to know her through reunion planning. We had a lot of fun doing that and her sense of humor was not impacted by her health. She continues to be an inspiration to me today. She taught me how to face adversity with humor and courage and it's a lesson I hope to carry with me. She worked tirelessly on finding our classmates for reunions. I miss her.
Julie Camaione
It has been four years since Eileen Lehman died of her valiant struggle with cancer. There isn't a day that goes by I don't miss her. She and I met on the playground in 4th grade. I was fairly new to Canandaigua and didn't have many friends but she took the time to talk to me. It wasn't until years later in 10th grade that we were in the same gym class. I didn't know at the time what it was about her but after talking to her only a few times, I knew that I wanted to be her friend. I knew that my life would be better for having her in it. I was lucky enough to be called one of her best friends.
Eileen and I had a strong connection. My favorite memories of her and I were on sleepovers at either her house or mine talking into the wee hours. We would talk, fall asleep, wake up at 2am and talk again. We were never at a lack of things to say to each other. What I miss most about Eileen is her laugh. We could crack each other up just by a look.
Unfortunately, during one of her many operations to rid her cancer that ability to laugh was taken away and replaced by a machine. But even through that machine she continued to display her humor, her sacrasm, and her wit and wisdom. When I hear commercials about cancer treatment centers and they say I survived cancer, I often think and know that Eileen "survived" her cancer. I say she "survived" because as her best friend, I watched her every step of the way. All the biopsies and the waiting to see if it was cancer. Sometimes the cancer could be rid of by a doctors visit and unfortunately other times major surgeries. Through it all, Eileen really didn't complain that much. She was in pain and was struggling, as a friend I know, but it was not always so evident. Even at the end of her life, I just couldn't believe that she was going to die. We all thought because she seemed so strong that she could even beat this.
My saddest memory of course was the last time I saw her. Eileen was not much for showing affection. I was always the one who wanted to hug. When I asked for a hug, She would indulge me,. The last day I visited her in the hospital, a week before she died, she reached out to me and gave me the tightest hug ever. Neither one of us wanted to let go.
Whoever had the idea for the memorial picnic for Eileen, thank you for setting that up and ensuring that we have a place to honor a proud and active member of the Class of 1983. I hope we never forgot what a vibrant, wonderful and kind human being she was. A good friend to all.
Julie Camaione, Class of 1983
William Yarger
I did not know Eileen well in school, but did get to know her through reunion planning. We had a lot of fun doing that and her sense of humor was not impacted by her health. She continues to be an inspiration to me today. She taught me how to face adversity with humor and courage and it's a lesson I hope to carry with me. She worked tirelessly on finding our classmates for reunions. I miss her.