wow, of all the good natured places for cancer to effect a community this would be the last i would think. I don't really know much about you; honestly, next to nothing. But i find myself oddly sad and disappointed, and am sincerely sorry to hear this. I hope you find what you are looking for before you leave.
EDIT: i was gonna post Leslie Nielsen's quote on death in the movie Naked Gun as a cheer up, but then my idea of a cheer up isn't everyone's, i didn't know if it was appropriate. Let me know, i would be happy to post it if it could give you a little lift. :)