Megan Angelina Webbley, 31, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29. Specifically, she died of an overdose, finally losing her battle with addiction. She was in Manchester, N.H., seeking treatment for her addiction. We have no clear picture of what went wrong. Megan leaves behind her mother, Dorothy Provenzano, of Boca Raton, Fla.; her father, Edwin Webbley, of Middlebury, Vt.; and her brother, Michael Henderson, of Los Angeles, Calif.; as well as many loving cousins, aunts and uncles. She also left behind four beautiful children who were collectively the light of her dark life.
Though shadowed by opiate addiction, Megan enjoyed a big smile and an infectious laugh. She loved all kinds of music, dancing and doing her makeup. Empathetic in the extreme, she was the underdog’s biggest advocate. And against all circumstances, when she could be, she was a loving, gentle and doting mother. Just last year, she spent a few hours in the pool with all four kids (the youngest has since been adopted by a loving family), and it was a rollicking, madcap outing featuring a waterslide and peals of laughter. It was at that point when she was the happiest we had seen her in years.
Megan grew up in St. Albans and Georgia, Vt., participating in dance and swimming. She proved to be an adventuresome reader and a fearless jumper off cliffs. But on July 1, 2005, she was once again at a cliff on Eagle Bay in Burlington. I was sitting at my desk on the first day of a new job, and a Vermont State Policeman called to tell me to drive to the emergency room at the University of Vermont Medical Center. I was told that she had been pushed off the cliffs and hit the rocks below … with her face. Having been rescued by a man in a kayak and EMTs, she was being stitched up, and her jaw was wired shut. They suspected a TBI, but when they prescribed her liberal doses of opiates, she lost control of her life. She would be in and out of rehab — and jail — for the next 14 years.
To editorialize, I am hoping that the Department for Children and Families rethinks its mission to be the punisher of addicted mothers, the separator of families and the arbiter of children’s futures, and instead embrace a mission of enhanced rehabilitation. We, as a state, are overwhelmed by addiction. We have almost nowhere to turn. I encourage enhanced funding for treatment in general and using DCF as a gateway for mothers with addiction to get help. Because, as one would guess, once the mother is separated from her children, desperation sets in, even with the brightest and most determined of mothers — and Megan Angelina Webbley was that bright and determined mother … with a fatal disease and a dearth of treatment options.
—Submitted by Megan’s father
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This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2019.
So sorry for your tragic and unnecessary loss. She surely was a special spirit being. I blame the insatiable greed of Big Pharma, careless doctors and thoughtless policy that fails at truly helping those who are addicted.
How tragic Im so sorry prayers to the family and her children. I lost a nephew to drugs I cant say it gets easier we just have to live with the beautiful memories we had of our loved ones . And keep the love alive through the kids they leave behind . Its horrible drugs rips families apart its a evil battle and most give up . Im keeping the family in my prayers and the children. Keep your eyes on God he will get you through the days ahead . Keep her memories alive and let her kids know how much their mother loved them and theyll help you also
Im so sorry I do relate what you family is going through. I lost a nephew to drugs he took his life left behind 2 boys they was a very young age at the time of his passing. I feel so bad for her family and her children losing a loved one this way is very sad Its always the what ifs are what could we have done different. Im praying for the family and her kids . I cant say it gets easier it dont we just learn to hold on to the memories and live each day with them and let the kids know how much their parents loved them . Drug addiction is evil its a hard battle to win and most just lose hope and give up . Its really sad I pray God will wrap his arms around the family and the kids and hold you tight hes the only one that can make it easier .
I remember Megan from dance class with Cheryl Ann. My daughter Jessica, Megan and another girl did a trio competition dance and did very well. She was a sweet girl (they were in their early teens at the time). I am so sorry to read your obituary and hear of Megan ‘s struggle with dependency issues. I wholeheartedly agree that we need to do more to prevent prescription drug abuse in our state. My deepest condolences to you.
I lost my own beautiful, vibrant, youngest daughter to the opioid crisis. In a car accident at the age of 15, resulting in a broken back and in pain 24/7, she was prescribed opioids and denied surgery by medicaid. Pain overtook her life and then opioids took her life. Our family and friends will never be the same. My heart joins yours in this awful club you have just joined.Im so very sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter. Opiates are ruining lives everywhere and it has touched all of us. Thank you for sharing the story of her life…both the good and hard times so it can make a difference. It’s not fair. Sending prayers and will share her story.
Beautiful woman w/ horrible disease. Lord, God, please help her children to survive healthily. Help them to be surrounded by your love in your way. This is sad for her children. Please provide for them all they need and help them to know you at an early age through your involvement in their lives. You, Lord, only you, are able to do this. And you Lord, please do it for your glory and honor and to further your kingdom through our Savior Jesus. Amen.
So sorry for your loss.We have lost so many young people to this
disease.prayers for her.her family and friends.esp. her children.
Thank you so much for opening up about the true nature of Meghans death. So often families are unable to find the strength to be so honest as they feel there will be a stigma brought to the family and the name of the loved one lost. Addiction is a cunning and baffling disease that is subject to relapse and tears apart families. It is with a heavy heart that I say I have known many who have succumbed to the disease and many more who continue to fight for their lives. I am in the field of addiction and ran a half way house for women, a half way house for men as well as a supportive living program for years. I was fortunate to be a part of many happy endings, unfortunately because of the nature of the disease I was more often than not a witness to its destruction. You and Meghan are in my thoughts and prayers. Please reach out to self help meetings as families do get a lot of comfort from those that are in the same boat, so to speak. Be there for each other and for those beautiful children.
Thank you for sharing your heartbreaking but very powerful story with us! An injury sent me on a years-long battle with addiction to opiates. I am one of the lucky ones that find long-term sobriety after many close calls with accidental overdose. We still have not figured this out as a society, nor are we doing enough to address opiate addiction (and other substances)! While our leaders engage in accusations, petty squabbles and our media spends its time covering the soap opera, the scourge of addiction rages, and our fellow citizens are suffering and dying! We must demand more from our leaders to address our very real, very critical problems! My heart goes out to Megan’s family, especially her parents and children, and to all of you who have lost precious loved ones and friends to this deadly disease! May you find peace and healing in the memories of life shared with Megan, gone too soon!