This letter was sent by Cathy Merz to Richard Roberts gallery in Jacksonville, where Richard thoughtfully passed it on to Mackenzie. The family were asked if they were happy to share their story with the world and here we tell you about 'in a peaceful world'

Hi, Richard -

I just returned yesterday from Minneapolis. Noah and I went out there a week and a half ago to help out my sister, Wendy, for a week - Dempsey had just had his last round of chemo and a bone marrow transplant.

When we got there, he was in a drug-induced coma, on a ventilator, and undergoing dialysis -- all to cope with the effects of the chemo. Sadly, he died last Wednesday afternoon -- a bleed in his brain. We were hoping and praying that he would weather the storm, but his little body just couldn't take any more. It was sudden and unexpected, and we're all still reeling and numb. Our whole family and my brother-in-law's family gathered in Minneapolis over the weekend, and the funeral was Sunday. There will be another memorial service on July 4th at the Cape, where Dempsey will be buried in our family plot.

As I told you, "In a Peaceful World" was to be a birthday present for Wendy from my family, her husband, and his family well, today it her 33rd birthday. I presented the serigraph to her an Tuesday evening -- the night before Dempsey died. On Friday, she and my mother took the serigraph to be matted and framed -- in time, she hoped, to be hung in bar living room for friends and family to enjoy on Sunday, after the funeral. I am happy to say that she found an old gentleman who, when he heard the circumstances and how important this piece is to her, promised to have the job done - and he come through. I was so proud to tell Wendy and Peter's friends and family the story of how I cam to find you and how the beautiful pierce came to rest on Wendy's wall.

Richard. I cant tell you how much this Thorpe work means to my sister.. especially now. It is a perfect representation of her three children -- Dempsey, Myles, and Pieper -- and her dog, Nickel -- her once-perfect family, as she commented the other day. Thank you so very much far making it possible for us to give it to her.. your generosity and sensitivity means a lot to all of us, but especially to me. You've been an extraordinary friend through all of this: hope that your recent follow-up produced happy results. Please let me know how you are, when you have a chance.

Cathy

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