Patch Inspirational Cancer Blogger's Funeral Friday

Erin Vidovich, a writer with stage 4 breast cancer who reached out to others with an honesty and empathy that touched many Southern California readers, passed away April 4 and was memorialized Friday afternoon.

The Memorial Service for Erin Vidovich was at 3:30 p.m. at Los Altos Grace Brethren Church at 6565 Stearns St. in Long Beach. It was to be be followed by refreshments on the church patio, said her friend, Jan Calhoun.

Vidovich was 47 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and candidly wrote that mammograms had failed to detect it due to her "dense breasts," as she wrote in this blog on the Queen Mary's princess for a day site. But despite her cancer likely having grown for three to four years, Vidovich, a married mother of two sons, wrote of her frustrations but also of her religious faith that saw her through years of treatment. Her last blog for Patch sang the praises of cancer caregivers, most of them women.

She poured her energy into reaching out to others newly diagnosed with the disease, offering practical tips on what to expect and how to cope during treatment, hair loss, what meds to request for nausea and to remember a pillow for chemo days. From her Long Beach home, she also started a care package delivery for the newly diagnosed (see photo).

And that human empathy in the form of practical presents such as a warm caps for post-hair loss and comfy pillows for chemo chair treatment will be a legacy her family is carrying on with, friend Calhoun said.

"Erin's efforts to comfort and support others also battling cancer (continued even) during her final year," said Calhoun, and included Vidovich's blogging and the cancer care packages she created and sent to newly-diagnosed cancer patients.

"In conjunction with the family’s church, Erin's husband, John, and sons Kyle and Matt, have decided to carry on Erin’s spirit and compassion for others. Through the creation of a non-profit organization called "Erin's Serendipity," with the mission of continuing the same cancer care packages Erin so lovingly created. With that in mind, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to Los Altos Brethren Church, with "Erin" in the memo line, to help carry on "Erin’s Serendipity" in the future. 

Erin, who had actively blogged for Patch with the hope of reaching ever more people, shared the very human emotions, from vanity at hair and weight loss, to her faith, her unfailingly supportive husband and sons, and praised her caregivers. She wrote about the decision for a mastectomy, the fear of medical scans, hair envy, and her husband's devotion to cooking for her, which was headlined "Kitchen Fires Show He Cares."

His kitchen wizardry had resulted in what she called "a few fire extinguisher stories." Erin did not omit the difficulties, uncaring caregivers who needed to find another field, and wrote very personally. Among her most poignant was cancer's humbling strikes on her vanity. Headlined Erin shared her husband's loving gesture about her enduring beauty to him. Anyone who ever felt inadequate could relate:

One night I told John about how I missed my old reflection and how I felt I now looked absolutely HAGGARD. The next morning when I walked into the bathroom, John had taped a large, cut-out paper heart to the center of the mirror, and wrote on it "To Erin, the most beautiful girl I've ever known." What a guy! He made me feel so loved! I have moved the heart to the side of the mirror, but it still greets me with every visit to the bathroom, and somehow I am less bothered by the reflection in the mirror. I know I am loved, regardless!

Erin Vidovich went on hospice about a month ago and passed away on April 4, but her friend Calhoun said the love story, in its own way, lives on.

"While her blog has come to an end, Erin's husband, John Vidovich, wants to continue Erin's efforts on creating and sending cancer care packages to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, and has a goal of setting up a non-profit charitable effort named "Erin's Serendipity" to continue that effort," said Calhoun.

From a grateful recipient of an Erin care package, on her Erin's Serendipity blog:

Erin, as the recipient of one of your care packages, I just can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed all the items in that overflowing box. This past winter when I had no hair and it got rather coolish inside the house at nighttime, some of those knitted caps sure kept my head warm. 

Your generosity is indeed a gift from on high, Erin. I'm sure all of us who have been "gifted" from you have had our aches, pains, concerns, lessened immensely." 

John Vidovich is going to blog for Patch in coming weeks to continue reaching out to others with cancer, and their loved ones, and sharing his journey of the past 5 1/2 years and new Erin's Serendipity project. From some of his planned eulogy Friday afternoon:

Erin gave many others and me the fact that we are here for an unknown amount of time and to take what God has given you and pass it on, and she was never afraid to share her faith and experiences through her blogs. It was so great to see how many followers she would get through her blog....While sick, Erin decided to start making cancer care baskets. It was her way of sharing and making someone feel good at the same time. This is something I promised I would help carry on. Something called "Erin's Serendipity". As our family tries to continue on with our lives without her, it is comforting to know that Erin is in Heaven, she is without pain, eating chocolate (something she was allergic to here), and someday watching her grandbabies being read their Daddies' favorite books. ...What a blessing God has shared with each and every one of us.

Did Erin touch you or connect with you or a family member? Tell us in comments and we will share them with the Vidovich family.