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Jeanette C. Huff was 15 years old when she first met 16 year old Lewis (Lew) C. Hagerman. They were high school sweethearts, got married when she was 18 and he was 19, and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in October 2008. Lew worked for the Ford Motor Company for 30 years and was always the proud owner of at least one Ford Mustang. With a constant sparkle in her eye, and a mischievous look on her face, you never knew what was going to come out of Jeanette's mouth next; but you knew it was going to be funny. Her favorite singers were Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, and Annie Lennox (of The Eurythmics); and she filled 50% of her iPod with their music.
Jeanette and Lew raised two amazing daughters, Tracy and Patricia. In late 1989, Tracy and her husband set her younger sister up on a blind date with one of his coworkers (a.k.a yours truly). I met Patricia on January 4, 1990, and proposed to her four weeks later. While they were very surprised at first, Jeanette and Lew immediately accepted me, and loved me as if I was their own son. They were always "Mom" and "Louie" to me. (Though Jeanette occasionally liked to refer to herself as "Bianca", and call Louie, "Francois".)
Jeanette beat breast cancer in 1993 with the constant support of Louie and her daughters. In 1999, they helped Patricia also beat breast cancer. In 2007, Jeanette was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. After more than two rounds of chemotherapy and constantly fighting the disease, she died of cancer on March 19, 2009. Again, her daughters and Louie were with her continuously until the very end. In early October 2009, Louie was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. He died on November 7, 2009 with his daughters at his side every step of the way.
Mom and Louie knew how much cycling means to Patricia and me. (In fact, I talked to Louie on my cell phone the minute I finished the 2008 Blue River Century because I could not get any reception on the top of Loveland Pass, 100 miles into the ride). They fell in love with the Colorado Rocky Mountains during their frequent visits to see us. They often drove many of the same roads used in the Blue RIver Century, taking in all of the beauty of Summit County. Not a day goes by that I don't think about and miss them.
We are honored to dedicate the 2010 Blue River Century in memory of Lewis and Jeanette Hagerman. As you prepare for and ride the 2010 Blue River Century, we hope you have many wonderful thoughts of YOUR friends and loved ones who have been affected by cancer. I know that would make Mom and Louie very happy.
-- Michael Birdsong, Blue River Century Rider and Volunteer |
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