Patti Shaffer, aka “Mrs. P”, passed away on Easter Sunday after her battle with cancer.

She was my friend, and I loved her dearly.

I met Patti back when I first started blogging on LiveJournal, in 2003. She found me through a fellow artist, Carrie Hawks. I adored her at once.

Patti was my first official “fan” – she supported my work, encouraged my art and bought everything I created that she could afford. She became a trusted and loyal friend during my husband’s deployment to Iraq. We spent hours on the phone together talking about any and every topic that came up. I painted for her, we shared stories and a love for animals and nature. She and I clicked, and she had a special place in my heart.

Patti gave her time and heart to all animals; her passion evident in the time she poured into Cats Are People Too. She wrote to me and shared photos of cats that she rescued and could not bear to part with. I remember Emvie, an adorable little kitten who was thrown out of a moving vehicle and left for dead. She was trying to choose a name, and I thought “moving violation” – and MV – Emvie, was named. Through Patti, I donated paintings to help CAPT in their fundraising efforts.

Patti ran and maintained their website – and set up a donation page through JustGive.org. Please, if you’re inclined, send them a donation so they can continue their rescue work.

When her husband called yesterday with the sad news, my heart just broke. For her family, for her friends, for those cherished animals that she rescued, adored and nurtured back to health – my thoughts and prayers are with everyone whose life Patti touched with her incredibly giving, loving spirit.

Patti impacted my life in a profound way, and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to know her and call her my friend.

May she rest in peace.