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.
I am so sorry for your loss and pray for any comfort your family may be able to find during this devastating time. I applaud you for writing such a beautiful and honest obituary for her. So many just say “died suddenly” as though they should be ashamed and it breaks my heart. This story of her life truly shows how proud you are of her and the amount of love she was blessed with. She sounds like she was an amazing and beautiful person and mother struggling in a way that we with family members going through the same struggle are terrified of. Despite not knowing you, I am sending so much love and thoughts to you all.
God bless you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. She is a beautiful young lady. I lost my son 4 months ago who was only 25. He became addicted after given an abundance supply of opiates from surgery due to a sport injury. Im including a link to his story. When will doctors and pharmaceutical companies to be held accountable for all the lives these drugs have destroyed?
https://nate-s-heart3.webnode.com/resume/
I’m a mother without her kids bc VT dcf chose to label me as an addict undeserving of help rehab or my kids. In their eyes I was worthless. I was clean when they took them and two days later tried to die by OD. By the grace of God I survived but I still don’t have my kids. I’ve been clean three years. They were adopted two years ago. This state offered me no help, only dcf telling me to give up my kids bc I’d never make it. I’m living proof people can change…but when u rip out entire world’s apart, that fighting spirit inside us just dies.
I pray for this woman’s children. I pray God gives them a life of love and happiness, and they remember their loving mother. To her family friends and especially father for writing this… You’re all stronger than you think. Never give up speaking for those who no longer can. Thank you for your honesty and sharing part of meaghans life with us all. Her story will change someone’s life, I’m sure of it.
Thank you for using your heartbreak to help raise awareness. The alarms have been screaming for years and yet no help. I lost my son 2018. I will pray for you and your family. There is a song that we played at the beginning of my sons memorial video, I hope you will listen and it gives you some glimmer of peace for your beautiful daughter. The song: Love came down and rescue me by Hillsong
My girlfriend passed away from opiate addiction last month as well. 9-9-19. Her name was Megan Virginia Kelly. I am heartbroken and forever will be. I am so sorry you are feeling this terrible pain that I have. I can relate to what you are going through. Tons of love to you and your family. It doesn’t seem real that they are gone. I don’t know your family, BUT I LOVE YOU ALL. My name is Noah Pogany.
God Rest Her Soul and to her Family and Children that were taken from her – May you all find peace in her not suffering from this Deadly Disease of Addiction anymore R.I.P. Magan
You are do brave to post such an obituary. I commend you that in the time of your sorrow you use this as an opportunity to educate the unknown and to try to make a difference. addiction is a very real problem and I have lost many to it. I empathize with you and wish your family love and support during these tough times. Thank you for sharing
Such a tragic story! Prayers and peace for this young girl and her family and friends. Thanks for sharing your story .
I am so sorry for your loss. You have a wonderful idea for possible change where addiction is concerned. Everytime I hear about another person involved with the disease of addiction it becomes more painful. So many people want to help and that gives hope to all touched by addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous has people in every community that provide education on the disease concept and recovery ideas for the professional community (ie. anyone in the medical, educational, judicial communitys, also for employers, clergy ). Just call the local AA number and ask to speak with someone from the Connecting with the Professional Community/Public Information (CPC/PI) committee to call you. There is no cost and anyone wanting information can call. Accurate information breaks the stigma in all situations. Prayers to all.
Hardcore honesty and sincerity that may save another life. Beautifully written from the heart and soul and my deepest condolences go out to the family.