To all of @iamthegaysmurf 's friends & fans, I'm really sorry to say that my wife passed away yesterday after fighting really hard for a week.
I was blessed to have her in my life, proud to have been her wife for more than 10 years & I will always miss her.
I love you, my heart.
No words can do justice to this immense loss.
I was lucky enough to be able to call Smurf a friend. News of her passing breaks my heart, and I type with teary eyes. She will be dearly missed by me and so many others.
Joining this fandom years ago, she was one of the first blogs I followed and one of the first authors I read. I remember reblogging her Tumblr fics and gushing in the tags, never thinking she read them until she messaged me about one of my weird comments. We hit it off from there and discussed everything from fanfic to pirates and back again. Once, after I finished obsessing over her latest post, she offhandedly mentioned that if she could make a fan video for WayHaught, she would use the song “Be Still” by The Fray. I had minimal video editing skills (Smurf did not know this), but hell, if this was a way I could give back to her and show my appreciation, then dammit, I would make a million fan videos. So I did. Somehow. And I’ll never forget her reaction when I sent her the final product.
Iwill forever and always associate that song with Smurf and her beautiful stories.
Her ability to combine raw emotion with lighthearted humor and, of course, her signature attention to detail was unparalleled. She was a master of her craft, and her work inspired so many, including myself, to read, to write, and to embrace our creativity. Through her work as a beta, she touched countless stories and lives. When she found out I was getting back into writing after a while, she said something that, while it probably was meant to be a casual remark, really stuck with me: “Everyone has to start somewhere. There’s nothing wrong with dipping your toe in. And there’s nothing wrong with having someone look at it for you, even if it’s just a little one shot. :)”
So, thank you, Smurf, for being such a loving soul. And, yes, I did lose my shit just a little when you generously offered to beta for me. Oh, and that time you called me your favorite movitation and one of your favorite readers. It took me a full hour to catch my breath. I have witnesses. For what it’s worth, you’re my favorite author, too.
Thank you for letting me poke fun at you through call-out texts and for poking fun at me in return. Thank you for sharing your sea shanty alignment charts and weird AO3 comments and ranting about the importance of communication. Thank you for dropping hints about your Sekrit Project in the most infuriatingly vague way possible and for being my WayHaught relationship drama debater and for being part of my curated fandom experience.
But most of all, thank you, Smurf, for being you and choosing to befriend that one overexcited reader.
To Mrs. Smurf, I’m profoundly sorry for your loss. I cannot fathom the grief you feel. Please know that we are here for you, and please, please let me know if there is anything I can do.
To The Ruler of the Dark Place™️, my sea shanty buddy, my fellow Stetson hater, my favorite author, Smurf - may you rest in peace, my wonderful friend.
Forever your hype-woman,
Mags
//
When darkness comes upon you
And colors you with fear and shame
Be still and know that I’m with you
And I will say your name
Edit: thank you all for donating to the gofundme.
