She wanted to do it for the family and to keep her mind occupied and exercised in her struggle with mental acuity, Tom said. It was the beginning of a five year process. She compiled family recipes, recipes from great chefs (Julia, Martha, Ina, Emeril and others), recipes from various cooking magazines that fit her taste and recipes from friends (mostly the Coven). She diligently tried them all and would modify them to her standards. Sher succumbed to CJD in February 2018. Her husband Tom Fabian wrote this Preface to her cookbook, detailing her progression of the disease and their 47 years and 8 month marriage.