Rest in Peace Ryan

Ryan Westerman
WESTERMAN , Ryan Robert Ryan Robert Westerman passed away peacefully at the Rosedale Hospice on Sunday, April 4, 2010 at the age of 37 years. A Celebration of Ryan’s Life will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 - 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to Rosedale Hospice, 920 - 7A Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2M 3J3. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca . FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM. Telephone: 403-297-0888 Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial

I checked in on the blog of my friend Tasha today and read her last post from March 31st. Her husband Ryan was weakening, but there were still “moments of Ryan” showing through. As I read the comments to her posting, I noticed people were passing on their sympathy at his passing. My heart sank.  After a quick google search, then a search of the Calgary Herald obituaries I found the news I hoped I wouldn’t have to read. Ryan passed away on Easter Sunday. He was only 37 but he made such an impact on thousands of people he never even met. That’s because Ryan blogged about his battle and he shared his story with the Calgary media. He inspired us simply because he taught us how important it is to just LIVE IN THE NOW and enjoy every single moment no matter what life throws at you.

I have learned a lot from Ryan. How to live. How to die. And how to do it all with grace, dignity, and teaching those around us that you can rise above a horrible situation. I never met Ryan but I wish I had. I feel like I knew him because of his blog, and his spirit really shines through in every single photo of him. You can tell what kind of man he was just by seeing his picture. The joy shone through and it will continue to forever.