Tracy Anne Kent

Tracy Anne Kent

May 12, 1966 - June 4, 2025

I am writing to share the sad news that Tracy Anne Kent (formerly Challman) passed away earlier this summer.

Tracy Anne, my beloved wife, passed away on June 4, 2025. Tracy had lived with breast cancer for over 20 years and most of her adult life. I choose the words "lived with" very deliberately. Despite confronting the ever-present specter of serious illness for over two decades, Tracy lived her life joyously and with optimism. Tracy reveled in natural beauty, particularly that of her home in the Pacific Northwest West. She was also a dedicated and loyal friend. She forged many durable and meaningful relationships throughout her life, and I know she was a role model to many in this important realm. Tracy also had an intrepid spirit. Even in recent years as dyspnea became a more constant and severe presence in her life, she happily sought out hikes and other out-door adventures that pushed the limits of her physical abilities. She was not one to lapse into self-pity or embrace the "sick role". She lived vitally and brightly regardless of her personal circumstances.

Tracy was also my life partner for the last 9 years. My many gratitude's to Tracy are too numerous to list. She brought so much beauty into my life. Among the most precious of the memories I cherish is reading poetry together. We only dabbled in poetry until the summer of 2023. During that summer and fall Tracy was recovering from recent hospital stays and we were living in a friend's house on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound. In that house, Tracy found a book of Mary Oliver poems on a bookshelf and set it out on the table in the hopes we could share it together. We settled into a pattern of reading one or two poems a night. Poetry became an evening ritual for us. Over time it became common for us to backtrack to favorite poems from the past days and weeks, savoring them again. We pursued other poets in time, such as Brian Doyle and David Whyte. I don't believe I would have had the opportunity to share such riches in the absence of Tracy's presence in my life. Tracy was also a generous and considerate life partner. Her kindness and fair mindedness served a uniquely healing place in my life. I think this is the single greatest gratitude I will carry forward, of the many Tracy has left me.

Tracy lived with illness for a long time and prepared carefully as her circumstances changed. She pursued deep legacy work in her final few years of life. As part of that effort, in her last week she prepared some final messages she wanted to share with those she was leaving. Among those missives is a list of things she loved over her lifetime. It is such a testament to Tracy's indominable positivity that she was scribing a list of gratitude during a time of such substantial suffering. Please find below, in Tracy's own words, this list she wished to share with those who hold her memory.

"SOME THINGS I LOVE

Community

Connecting with friends through shared interests, in safe and loving spaces, and around dinner tables. Community places that I have treasured and that have become my cherished family of choice include Commonweal, Healing Circles, Harmony Hill, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Qigong with Teja Bell, Yoga with Annie Stocker at Two Dog Yoga, and friends old and new.

Nature

Hiking from the time I was in high School and experiencing the West Coast's ancient forests, mushrooms, birdsongs, whales, rivers, salmon, gardening, Neah Bay and the Salish Sea shoreline.

Activities

Tennis and waterskiing, swimming in the Florida salty Atlantic Ocean waters with Joel, eating delicious food, live music - all music, yoga (which I started when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and continued with Annie and Commonweal until 2023), traveling and speaking French, and reading poetry with Joel.

Spiritual Life

Learning and practicing the art of Zen, documenting and exploring my dreams, starting graduate school in Marriage and Family Therapy, receiving bodywork. Psychotherapy (30+years!) and yoga have been the mainstays and provided a profound tapestry of integrity that supported me along my path. I am eternally grateful to my therapist and yoga mommas. And lastly, but likely most importantly, letting go of fear.

All of you

What I have loved most of all is connecting deeply and in heartfelt ways, in joy and sorrow, with all of you, my friends, my family, my true love Joel, and life. Thank you for accompanying me on my way.

Love always, Tracy"

Tracy carefully selected the poetry that was recited at her funeral. She wanted to share these beautiful poems with all of you as well.

THE QUESTION- By Rosemary Wahtola Trommer in All the Honey. Samara Press, 2023

MESSENGER- By Mary Oliver (1925-2005) in Thirst (Beacon Press, 2006)

BLESSING FOR THE LAST SEASON- by Jan Richardson

Tracy's passing is such a great loss because her presence and love were so luminous. I am so grateful to have spent some of my life basking in her radiance.

If giving in Tracy's honor is desired, such gifts may be directed to the Commonweal Cancer Help Program in Bolinas, California.