Godspeed, Cynthia Upson

I heard today that Cynthia Upson, the wife of Don Upson, passed away Saturday after a battle with lung cancer. She was 49. Read more here...and a wonderful blog posting about "Cyn" here...and the notice here.

Personally, I did not know Cynthia well. I do know Don. Years ago, when I had first started working for Government Computer News, one of the first meetings I had was with Upson (then still on the Hill) with my then news editor Vanessa Roberts, formerly of GCN and now with The Magazine Group. It was a fascinating lunch even though, to be honest, I didn't know much of what was going on. But even from that know-nothing standpoint, I could tell Don was a person who got stuff done.

That has been true throughout the years as Don has gone on to other jobs including serving as Virginia's first chief information officer.

But Don will be quick to tell you that the person who made it all possible was Cynthia. I had several conversations with him about the horrible illness that is lung cancer, and I could see how difficult it was on him. Meanwhile, he had the Washington Post writing extensive -- and mostly pointless -- stories.

The last year has been a very difficult one.

They are holding a wake Monday and a funeral Tuesday. More information here.

We wish peace for Don and his daughter, Sarah.

In memory of Cynthia Upson, contributions can be made to the Lung Cancer Alliance, www.lungcanceralliance.org.

Godspeed, Cynthia...and peace.