My sympathies GoGirl.
I too know of others that have left us since AN did, but none so close as I imagine your loss is.
I'm just stepping off of my personal rollercoaster now, but it's been hard to hold on. Whilst I never remotely looked down that road, I always knew that I had two smiling little faces to help get me through if it ever crossed my mind.
Also, we often talk about our "family" at AN (and I'm sure at QF too), perhaps we do need to reiterate that fact to some who need the reassurance that they will never be alone.