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 very sad. when people have medication long term for injuries, there should be a plan to help them ease off the medication to ensure they are not reliant on the meds any longer. we as a society fail these individuals horribly. they get cut off of the medication and have no means to deal with the addiction, and unfortunately there are people out more then willing to help with the need to agent them addicted to illegal drugs. we as a society need to help individuals as addiction is a disease and should be treated as such. Dr. should have a plan to help wean people off of these long term drugs not just cut them off and leave them to fend for themselves.
Im so sorry to see this. Megan babysat for my children in 2003-04 when she worked at Saint Michaels Childcare Center. She even lived with us for a short time when she needed help in between apartments. She was a beautiful soul inside and out. She adored my kids and they loved her. Thank you Ed, for writing such a beautiful tribute to her and for including the reality of what happened to her. It serves the purpose of raising more awareness of how easy it is to become addicted to opiates. Rest In Peace Megan.
Addiction is an easy trap, but for those suffering from depression, it’s even easier. Having a TBI predisposes one to depression, and I suspect this is what is behind her overdose. What a very sad story.
I dont know if you’ll see this… but Megan’s Dad, you may have just saved my life. I’m an addict. I started in a way similar to Megan. I’m a mother of two. I’m going to do everything I can, starting now, to make it so that my father never has to open a similar piece… and my kids have many joyous days in the sun like Megan’s day in the pool with her children.
My sincere, and deep, and sorrowful condolences for your loss, the kids’ loss, and society’s loss.
How heartbreaking. God bless your soul beautiful angel. God bless and comfort all your family and friends. What a devastating loss.
Thank you for sharing Megan’s tragic story. Maybe it will help all the Megans, and their families, cope with the despair of opiate addiction. I’ll bet you’ve just saved a few lives. God bless…
I did not know Megan however I also was diagnosed with a disease and given a insanely amount of opioids. My life would never be seen through my clear eyes and never could see my purpose or dreams again
The medical field and Drs continue to this day giving a medication that changed the world.
Punishment by incarceration and taking ones only true meaning and love from them is only exasperating the situation. When you crush someone who is already broken then it is insane to think they could deal with these feelings without numbing themselves. Now with Fentanyl numbing is only for a split second until they die.
God Bless
I am so sorry for your loss. My son is 40 and has been addicted since his late teens. I lost my youngest son at 31 from suicide. I know how hard this is…no words can convey the loss of a child. God’s comfort and peace to all loved ones
I weep with you. My heart breaks with you. I do not know what else to say.
Hugs.
My husband and I are so very sorry for your loss. Her picture shows a beautiful soul. Prayers for you and your family Thank you for what you wrote. Our country has a long road ahead of us.
Kathleen Jefferson
Ann Arbor MI