Annabelle Vassallo, whose love for life inspired a whole country as she battled with cancer, has moved into the room which she believed Jesus prepared for her in his Father’s spacious house.
“That’s where we believe she is today... enjoying the room she spoke so much about... The one Jesus would prepare for her according to the Bible. In fact, we will be using that reading in the funeral Mass,” Annabelle’s close friend, Micheline Sciberras, said, adding that Annabelle said she would start preparing her friends’ rooms.
Annabelle first entered the nation’s heart with her appearance on television and her autobiography Irrid Ngħix (I want to live) went on to sell thousands of copies. She had spoken about the room in an interview with The Sunday Times last December: “I imagine this room he’s preparing for me is a place where there is no pain, no more chemotherapy, where I can be healthy again.”
The 39-year-old from Siġġiewi died in hospital early yesterday morning leaving behind an inspirational message: that every last drop of life should be cherished.
“On Saturday, while in hospital, some friends were around her... She was weak but, suddenly, she said: ‘Let’s rejoice’. I asked her why? She replied: ‘Because, I am...’, then she paused to catch her breath and continued: ‘alive’. Right up to the very end she was so appreciative of the life she had. There wasn’t any bitterness and she knew she was dying,” Dr Sciberras said.
Carmen Mangion, another close friend, agreed that Annabelle was a tribute to life. She had a rare gift – she could express her love for others and make people feel special and loved.
Ms Mangion said that, aware her time was running out, Annabelle started organising her own funeral. She even informed her friends to let people know when she had died through a message sent out from her own phone.
In fact, early yesterday morning, all Annabelle’s friends and relatives listed on her mobile phone’s contacts received a message. Written by her friend, it told them Annabelle had passed away at night and asked them to “please pray for her”.
Annabelle had a strong faith in Jesus that remained rock solid throughout her illness.
Her brother, Colin, recalled how his sister was always special, always cared for those around her and had an immense faith in Jesus.
In an unpublished part of the interview with The Sunday Times, Annabelle had said she somehow always felt she would fall ill at a young age.
“Malou, the sister of my close friend, died when she was 33 years old in 1997. I knew I would die like her. I was diagnosed when I was 35. She’s a person I admired. Every time something crops up I wonder what Malou would have done...”
As news of her death spread, comments poured in on timesofmalta.com wishing Annabelle to rest in peace and thanking her for being so inspirational.
One person wrote: “Thank you for teaching me how to appreciate life’s every single moment. I’m sure you’re already peacefully in God’s arms and planning to continue your work from above.” Another added: “Annabelle... never got to know you, but you touched the hearts of so many... your message will live on. With your smile and positivity, you’ll definitely make Heaven an even happier place.”
Meanwhile, a Facebook page was set up called Santa Subito (a saint immediately) in which friends posted comments and messages in memory of Annabelle.
The pro-life lobby group Gift of Life, as well as the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party, issued statements expressing their condolences to the family and friends of Annabelle. They also thanked Annabelle for her positive message and infectious love for life.
Annabelle had mentioned that she wished to remain alive to witness the birth of her niece, who will be called Ana after her, and then maybe her 40th birthday on April 19. Although she was not granted these wishes, the message that resonates after her death remains a positive one.
Using her own words: “My energy fails me; even talking is an effort these days. At the end of the day I want to live. There were times when I willed death to take me away but I can count these occasions on one hand. Life is beautiful, despite the state I’m in.”
The funeral will be held today at the Siġġiewi parish church at 3 p.m. Donations to Puttinu Cares Foundation, which works with child cancer patients, are appreciated.
A life worth living... no matter what
Annabelle was diagnosed with cancer on Boxing Day in 2006 just hours after the funeral of her beloved grandmother. She had a high-grade soft tissue sarcoma – one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. Following treatment in the UK her original tumour was “killed” in September 2007 but, six months later, the cancer returned and it spread to her lungs, spleen, brain, and liver.
October 2009 was her last visit to the UK, where the British doctor broke the news that there was nothing else he could do. Refusing to give up, Annabelle returned to Malta and with encouragement from her local doctor underwent three final sets of chemotherapy.
She had been living on borrowed time since the last chemo session, cherishing each day.
Throughout her illness, and as her health deteriorated so that eating and breathing became difficult, her mother doubled up as a full-time nurse and friend.
In June last year she received the Pro-life award for her autobiography Irrid Ngħix (I want to live). The book sold some 17,000 copies, with all proceeds going towards the Puttinu Cares Foundation.
Annabelle’s experience did not dampen her faith in God and she always spoke about her faith fondly and mentioned the room Jesus was preparing for her in heaven.
The inspirational woman, who exuded positivity, even had a good relationship with her tumour.
“My wheezing gets worse at night and I start arguing with the cancer: ‘You and I have to decide, we’re either going to make friends or we’re enemies; isn’t it better if we’re friends?’ Sometimes the wheezing stops... Then when it returns I urge it to throw itself off Għar Lapsi cliffs,” she had said.