“Dearest Nancy, thank you for honoring my beloved husband Bob and bringing more attention to the epidemic of cancer that is invading our Island home. I am grateful and will continue to fight the good fight against this beast that is cancer.”

This was written to me by Maribeth Hemberger Priore after she read my column last week. It devastates me to tell you that Maribeth died on Sunday, March 5, one week after her beloved Bob. This was the last message I had from Maribeth. She had the Marine Corps blood in her family and I know she would have stayed to fight with me if she could. I first knew Maribeth through our budding radio station, WMVY, back in the day. We later lost touch, she married Bob, a love affair for the ages, and reconnected when we found out Bob and I were both headed to Mass General Hospital for cancer appointments. Maribeth was his loving guide and nurse. I know she meant to carry on with me to bring all the ammo against this scourge. She was strong and beautiful and loving and full of fun.

Bob’s service was to be conducted Friday, March 10. It has now been postponed. Their services will be together on March 18. Our hearts go out to the family, to their loving dog Quinn, to friends, neighbors, grandchildren, everyone who had the delight of knowing these two.

The gutting of programs that keep our air and water clean, that educate our children, that pay our doctors, nurses and technicians, the larger shares of the pie handed to those who don’t need it and kept from those who do will have a resounding boomerang effect on the backsides of those jerks in Washington. I am fed up. More than fed up. One of my favorite quotes is: “War is when your government tells you who the enemy is. Revolution is when you figure it out for yourself.” Come the revolution.

Tamma Cimeno Willoughby has returned to the Island from helping and visiting her daughter, Ashley Byrd, who is married to Sam in San Marcos, Tex. Tamma loves Ashley’s in laws. Being there for three-year-old Jude made her a very happy Nana. Best news of all, Ashley has completed her chemo and is cancer free. Ashley is 24 years old.

The First Baptist Church is holding its annual corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 11 at 6 p.m. at the Parish House on William street. You may call Carol at 508-693-1539 to reserve a seat or just show up at the door.

The Martha’s Vineyard Family Center on North William in our town is hosting another Grandparents Raising Grandchildren meeting on Saturday, March 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The talks are sponsored by our Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and the Island Wide Youth Collaborative.

For those on a creative bend, our Vineyard Haven Public Library is holding another session of crafts for adults. Be in our program room on Saturday, March 11 and learn to make your own aromatherapy candle. Teens from age 12 and up and grownups of all ages are all welcome. No sign up is necessary.

Dr. Elliot Dacher will speak on the science, spirituality and integral health at our library at 7 p.m. on Tuesday March 14. We are getting it together and now our elected officials must fall in step to ensure the optimal wellness for all.

May I be condemned to be stuck in a stalled car at Five Corners on Memorial Day Weekend when I am rushing to make the boat. My brand new friend from Ireland had a birthday on March 1. In last week’s column I wrote her name as Ashleigh when in fact it is Kayleigh.

I want to remember the birthdays of two dear friends who shared the same day. Both have passed and are at peace. March 14 is for Robbie Manning, one of my favorite students, and for Oliver Perry, aka Johnny Seaview. Who could ever forget these two? Johnny Seaview carried a dog-eared column I wrote about him in his wallet for years and years.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Kane Joseph Araujo and James Taylor on March 12; March 13 is shared by Mary Ann Donnelly and Jeff Corr; March 14 is a party for Keena Stuart, Todd Araujo, and Alex, Nicky and Duncan Schilcher; March 15 shines on Tami Conroy Hersh, Allie Weisman and Jib Ellis; and on March 16 Sarah McDonald, Kyle Carter and Brianna DeOliveira take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.