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.
This was beautifully written by Megan’s father who must have loved her so much and never stopped believing in her. I so could feel what he wrote. Thank you in the name of Megan and her children…what a great Grandpa they have! …my thoughts are with you. Much love and hope <3
Rest in Peace sweet girl – I know exactly how you felt
Condolences to the entire family of Megan; but most of all her children. What a beautiful tribute from Megan’s dad. I felt every word written in this memorial – may God rest your soul sweet Megan.
Hi, I am so sorry for your loss , upon reading your story it hits home to well. Also I was addicted to opiates for 8 years I am now clean 18 months I can not tell you what a struggle it was getting help and getting clean.. I felt so lost in calling rehab after rehab and they said sorry no beds or tried to get me a appointment 3 weeks later and on top of that it is very hard to find a job if you have a criminal record and in which I believe people go back to their old ways because of how discouraged they are when no one will hire you to rebuild your life so what is one to do!!! Honestly I then think of all I put my family, kids through. I just think what a messed up system we have maybe once someone gets out of jail or rehab there should be something for someone to look forward too again . Our society needs to know how much addiction is affecting peoples lives I am so sorry. Your family is in my prayers. Also I remember my sister saying this can not be happening to my sister who was raised in a great home, great childhood, but the reality is it can happen to anyone! Addiction DOES NOT discriminate
Your story is heart wrenching
She was and is a beautiful angel now.
I hope sharing this tragic story there will be at least one person saved or helped or in the right place for help. I believe the lack of attention to handing opiates out like candy is the root cause to many tragedies.
Prayers to you and your family and friends of this beautiful young lady.
May she Rest In Peace in Gods arms xo
Thank you for being honest, you may have helped another family. Blessing I know the pain of losing a child. I hope you have faith it helps carry me on my darkest days. The pain never goes away but you learn to carry it.
So very sorry for the passing of your beautiful daughter. May her legacy be that of healing and helping others. May your family find Gods peace and comfort. I believe that this world and Heaven are separated by and thin veil that will one day be lifted. I will be praying for your family.
I pray that changes will come. We desperately need them. I am so sorry for your loss. I have 3 daughters who all are recovering addicts. At any minute, I know they could slip away again. I praise our judicial system for the ability to go to drug court. It saved one of my children. That being said, I fear the day shes released. As a mother, my heart goes out to you. As a fighter of this disease, my spirit and will go with you! May God Bless you and bring you peace.
These companies and doctors should be ashamed. We should compromise them the way they compromised those they addicted.
Deepest condolences, a very sad story that breaks my heart. May she Rest In Eternal Peace,