In Memory of Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog

Posted July 27, 2019 by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction in Book Events / 67 Comments

I struggled with what to post here, but I couldn’t let Grace go without some acknowledgment, and a “mention” in my Sunday Post amidst giveaway announcements and silly news about my landscaping didn’t feel right.

In case you don’t already know, we lost a vibrant member of our community on Wednesday. Grace from Rebel Mommy Book Blog lost her fight with cancer. What makes this even sadder is that, as her blog title declares, she leaves behind three little ones who will now have to grow up without her. Her final tweet and post on Instagram on Wednesday were both a picture of her in the hospital with her beautiful family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Grace was a huge presence in the book blogosphere, and many of us knew her well, even if we’d never met her in person. I checked, and she’d left me 16 PAGES of comments over the last four years! And I know that I’m no anomaly: She was incredibly active in the book blogging community, and so many of us were touched by her.

Grace was a joyful and encouraging presence, and even when she went through cancer treatment (both times), she stayed engaged with us on Twitter. She obviously valued the strength and support she gained through this community. I’m thankful to be a part of a group that will gather behind one of our own when they’re in need!

Grace, thank you for your presence in our lives. You will be sorely missed. 

 

UPDATE: Lauren @ Bookmark Lit has been in contact with a member of Grace’s family and asked them how we can support them right now. You can read the tweet thread for yourself, but they said that it would be wonderful if we could compile messages and sentiments to share with them.

Lauren set up a Kudoboard so we could share our thoughts with the family. Please send some words of encouragement so they know how much she was loved by her fellow bloggers!

Also, they said that we could donate in Grace’s name to METAvivor, an organization close to her heart that supports grants for breast cancer research. Lauren @ Shooting Stars Mag has also changed her latest Leave a Mark auction of a signed copy of One of Us Is Lying so that the winning amount will be donated to METAvivor in Grace’s name.

 

I’m glad that one of the last things Grace got to do was meet Rainbow Rowell at Book Expo. She was so excited!

 

 

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67 responses to “In Memory of Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog

  1. Danielle Hammelef

    Grace is inspirational and thank you, Nicole, for this post. This book community is the best and I’m blessed to have been accepted into it and be able to support others too. I was overwhelmed by the love poured out by Grace’s book friends, although it never surprised me as this community is a generous, supportive group.

  2. Nicole, this is beautiful. It’s incredibly devastating, but I’m glad you found a way to put down into words how we all feel about Grace. Because I truly have no doubt that you speak for all of us, as Grace was so kind and caring that she’s touched all our lives in the best possible way. I feel so blessed to have known her, and I hope that her family will eventually be able to find some peace in knowing how many lives she touched. They’ll be in my thoughts and prayers always, their pain must be unimaginable. She’s such an amazing spirit, and we’re going to miss her so much. Thank you for posting this, Nicole.

  3. I didn’t know her personally (odd, I know! but it seems like there’s never time enough to get to know everyone in the book blogging community), but I’ve seen her comments on Karen’s blog For What It’s Worth, and I remember thinking “What a great nickname”. I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to meet her, if virtually – I’m sure she was an amazing person. Much love to her family and everyone who knew her and is missing her now!

    • I know that there are so many bloggers out there who I haven’t had a chance to connect with. The book blogosphere seems so huge sometimes. But it’s also such a warm and supportive community, and I love being a part of it. Grace was such a positive presence and we’ll all miss her!

  4. Nicole, this is a beautiful tribute to Grace. Grace was such a wonderful person and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to know her through the blogging community. She was always so supportive of everyone. I found out this morning and just sat here and cried like a baby. I really felt like she was my friend and I valued every interaction we had. I cannot imagine what her husband and babies are going through. I am heartbroken.

  5. Grace was one of the first people to follow my blog, and she always made time to read my posts and comment on them. She was one of the very first to make me feel welcome in the book community, and my only regret is that I didn’t get to meet the wonderful woman who became such a comfort and a good friend.

    I didn’t just enjoy her blog and her thoughts on books; I enjoyed Grace. She was kind, warm, and one of the best people I’ve come across.

    Everyone who knew Grace are in my thoughts and prayers, especially her beloved children.

  6. This was lovely Nicole! I didn’t know her well but we’d exchange comments often enough that I felt it when I found out she’d passed. My heart utterly breaks for her husband and children. I keep seeing that final insta post/tweet and wanting to scream at how unfair the world is.

    Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books recently posted: Weekly Update #70
  7. Grace’s blog was one of the first I followed, and she was one of my blog’s first followers. She also left pages of comments on my blog. (And I left pages of comments on hers). I feel so bad for her kids. She seemed like a very dedicated mom.

    • I remember when Grace first started blogging, I would see her name EVERYWHERE and it always amazed me how she engaged with so many people. We didn’t even read the same types of books for the most part (though she introduced me to some gems), but she still felt like a constant presence on my blog via Sunday Posts and discussions. It’s hard to believe she’s gone! And, yes, she was obviously very dedicated to her kids. I’m heartbroken for them.

  8. Thank you for posting this lovely tribute, Nicole. My heart broke for Grace’s family, especially her children, when I heard the news. She really was a lovely person, and as Sam mentioned above, I feel so privileged to have gotten to know her over the past few years.

  9. Thank you for making this post. You’ve said everything I wish I’d been able to find the words to say. I can’t believe she’s gone and she will definitely be very missed in the community.

  10. Well said, Nicole. I was devastated to hear this news, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Grace was a sweet, joyful presence in the book blogging world, and she’ll be missed. My heart hurts just thinking about her family.

  11. You’ve got me crying all over again Nicole! This was a beautiful post. The only positive I see in all of this is that Grace was able to live her best life during the months the cancer was in remission. I loved that she packed up her fears and did what she wanted, like attend BEA for the first time.

    We’re all going to miss her.

  12. Thank you for posting this beautiful tribute to Grace. She was one of the first book bloggers to follow me when I first started my blog. She was a warm, sweet, and active member of this community. I had the pleasure of meeting her for the first time at Book Expo this year. She was just so happy to be there are so hopeful that her awful ordeal was over. Her light shone just as brighly in person as you’d expect from knowing her online. I can’t believe only 8 or so weeks have passed. I was devastated to hear that she’d passed away and will be praying for her family.

  13. Thank you for posting this tribute. Grace was always so optimistic and positive. I hadn’t seen her last blog post, so I didn’t realize the cancer was winning. Her last Instagram post came as a surprise, and the news of her death as a shock. My heart goes out to her children and husband.

    Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard recently posted: Sunday Post – 7/28/2019
  14. So wonderful that you posted this Nicole. I was so sad when I saw you comment on Instagram. Her picture with her family was something. She kept her positive attitude and beautiful smile up to the end, I’m sure because of her beautiful family. She was definitely, as you well said it, a very active and important member of our community. She will forever be remembered!

  15. I was thinking a lot this weekend about her going to BEA. She was cancer free and putting herself first and doing something she’s always wanted to do. She was sooo nervous but had so much fun. I’m so glad she got to but wish that she was still here to do a million more things.

    Lovely tribute Nicole.

    Karen @ For What It’s Worth

  16. Grace was one of my favorite bloggers. She always found time to comment on my posts and I loved talking about TV with her as we watched many of the same shows.

    I loved seeing her pictures from BEA – I couldn’t come this year as one of my kids was graduating that week but she and I commiserated online over how we both made elaborate BEA spreadsheets and then lost them as soon as we got to the Javits.

    I am absolutely heartbroken for her family – I know they meant everything to her. They deserved more time with her and so did all of us. The world has lost a truly wonderful and special person.

  17. Olivia Roach

    May she rest in peace and will be thinking of the family <3 I appreciate you sharing this post, especially as it must've been hard to write and compose.

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