Last fall, former members of the band Gerard held a benefit concert at The Pabst Theater to raise funds for their friend and bandmate, Beccee Smith-Kujawa, who was battling lung cancer.
The show, which featured an appearance by Eric Benet, was a celebration friendship and stories, tinged by sadness and hope and marked by Smith-Kujawa's courage and strength of spirit.
Many of the same participants will gather again at the funeral Monday afternoon.
Smith-Kujawa, who was diagnosed around Memorial Day, died Wednesday night. She is survived by her husband, Ron, who is a musician, and young daughters Millie and Emma.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday with a service to follow at Crosspoint Community Church, W380 N6931 N. Lake Rd., Oconomowoc. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the family at this address:
Ron Kujawa
124 N. Fowler St.
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Here is a video of Smith-Kujawa's show-closing performance at the September benefit:
