Hi.
This is the story of how life can change too fast. From Asian beaches to Irish chemo wards, we document it here.
This is the story of how life can change too fast. From Asian beaches to Irish chemo wards, we document it here.
Celebrating Rebecca
Rebecca died on May 3, 2019 at Hope House in Cape Coral Florida. Mary, Leah and Jessica were with her when she took her last breaths.
Rebecca’s memorials started on Saturday May 11th, and continues in Ireland, UK and Bangkok throughout the summer. Multiple awards have been named after our sparkling girl.
We are so grateful for our local and international family and friends whose kind words and constant support have eased our pain
If someone wants to have a ceremony its not to be a funeral, it's to be a memorial party, a celebration of my life and the life that we all have been lucky enough to live. There needs to be music and singing and dancing until the wee hours, drinks are to be drunk and memories to be had.
- Rebecca
Why live in 1 country when you can live in 6? Why have one memorial when you can have several?
Rebecca was an international lady of many talents, and we continue to remember her life in that way. Memorials were hosted on at least 3 continents, with more smaller intimate remembrances in many more.
You can read about the larger gatherings below.
Balancing the joy of a wonderful hotel with the memory of the best travel partner ever
Her family and friends gathered in the wilds of the Dublin docklands to scatter her ashes
The inaugural Rebecca Dowling Impact Award, won by Con O'Rourke
Rebecca’s Irish actual and adopted family held an orangey memorial to her in Delgany, Wicklow on May 12th. Recap by Helen Reynolds.
A speech by Jessica Dowling Hammer given at Rebecca’s Celebration of Life
At the end of Rebecca’s memorial mass, we asked a friend to read out these honest yet comforting words.
Rebecca was a busy woman in the last 6 months of her life. She was actively living, even as she was dying. After the news that there was no more viable options, we had a week in Ireland to pack up and say goodbye. Back in Florida, she visited Miami, Sebring and Sanibel; we had a welcome home BBQ, hosted 4 aunts, Jen from London, and a long string of Hospice staff.
Here are some of the stories.
36 hours before leaving Dublin, we had a brief but luxurious spa day
We hosted an emotional going-away party in Dublin the week before Rebecca returned to Florida.
Hannah and Rebecca take a treatment break to soak up the sun in Spain
If people were shapes, Rebecca would be an orange triangle. Here are some of her favorite tracks. Picture taken in the Maldives OBIVOUSLY
Rebecca lived her life with music. There was always tunes playing at home, at work, on a run or our favorite - in a fancy hotel room.
The playlist to the right has some of Rebecca’s favorite tunes so you can party along with her. Other playlists she made over the last few years are Skin and Blister, Skin and Blister vol.II, and Summa Jams 2018.
During her memorial - we played this playlist
Rebecca also left a list of her ‘desert island discs’
I’ll be there
Lucky - Pharrell
Timber - Avicii
Country Roads
Girl from Ipanema
Rebeca was diagnosed with Stage IV cervical cancer on September 11, 2018. She underwent 23 external and 3 internal radiations, as well as 5 rounds of chemotherapy and 2 rounds of immunotherapy. She had neuroendocrine small and large cell cancer, which is aggressive and rare. On March 15th 2019, her oncologist determined the immunotherapy was doing more harm than good. She decided to return to Florida to receive hospice care with her family. Here is some of the story.
This print is by Dublin artist sketchy. She bought a large copy of this print during treatment and it brought her a lot of strength.
Donate to Hope Hospice - this incredible organization relieved so much anxiety and stress when Rebecca arrived from Ireland. The home team took such good care of Rebecca AND the family, and transitioned her into Hope House at just the right time. We are so grateful.
Donate to St.Luke’s Rathgar - going from healthy to patient in 2 weeks was terrifying, and this small hospital in Dublin got to know Rebecca, and by extension the whole family and support crew. They did succeed in eradicating her cervical tumor and we hope they continue to do amazing work.
Donate to Friends Cambodia - this charity was close to Rebecca’s heart. We visited their restaurant and shop in Phnom Penh and learned how they help marginalized children stay in school or learn trades.
She was almost born in a car on the way to the hospital in Dublin, and the rest of her life was lived at the same speed. Becks moved with the family to Florida in 1997, and to Switzerland at age 17 to nanny. From there she lived in Australia, London, Bangkok and Ireland. More stories to come…
Her friends
Music and the craic
PR-ing fabulous hotels
Luxury hotels and spa days
The color orange
The 30+ countries she visited
Dancing on tables
We made this video in January on THE SAME DAY she finished chemo round 4. SAME DAY!
We were the only passengers on the last district train of the night. London Tube. See Rebecca so some awesome tricks.
