Sisters keeping mother’s memory alive through Monument Avenue 10K

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Florence Gray loved that her daughters participated in the Monument Avenue 10K, going as far as asking them to promise that they would walk or run the race every year. Little did they know, the promise made to their mother would soon honor her memory.

"My mom actually died in the twilight of the 10K race back in 2011," said Michelle Fitzgerald, Gray's oldest daughter.

Despite being grief-stricken, Fitzgerald and her sister, Shannan Jacobs, still walked the 10K the morning after their mother's passing. They carried thee promise they made to their mother all the way across the finish line.

"We're snotting and sniffing the whole way, but honoring her memory and keeping our promise -- so that was what was important to us and we kept it going ever since," Fitzgerald said.

"Grief, as anyone who has ever lost someone close to them knows, it's a journey. It never ends and it hits you in different ways," Jacobs said. "We always find ways to keep her memory alive so the 10K is definitely one of those ways."

Michelle Fitzgerald and Shannan Jacobs (Courtesy of Shannan Jacobs)

Michelle Fitzgerald and Shannan Jacobs (Courtesy of Shannan Jacobs)

15 years after initially participating in the race, the 10K is starting to look different for the duo. Fitzgerald struggles with plantar fasciitis causing joint issues. She said she is unable to complete 6.2 miles like she used to.

"I took it really hard when my body was saying no but my heart was saying 'yes, yes please do it,'" Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald still sends her sister off at the starting line and greets her with a hug and a bottle of water at the finish line.

"And that's what I love in the spirit of sisterhood, that we have still been able to honor our promise because she comes out faithfully," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said her sister was the only person she ever wanted to walk or run alongside. Exercise is a time for personal peace for Jacobs but when Fitzgerald is around it becomes "sister time" where the two laugh and tell stories.

"Not having either one of them makes the silence really, really loud but it also gives me that healing time to just sort of reflect and be grateful for the time that I did have," Jacobs said.

When asked what Jacobs and Fitzgerald would say to their mom looking down on them, they got emotional.

"I love you. I miss you. I know that you see us. I know that you're proud of us. We carry so much of you in us and we always will," Jacobs said.

"Please give our ancestors a break because I know you're up there bragging on us at this very moment. Look at my girls. Look at 'em," Fitzgerald said.