Cardinal George Sends Letters Thanking Chicagoans Days Before His Death

George passed away Friday at the age of 78

In his final days of battling cancer, Cardinal Francis George kept writing.

Shortly before his death, George finished writing a book and also wrote thank you letters to those who sent him well wishes.

Mary Beth Frystak with Our Lady of Victory Parish told the Chicago Sun-Times she received a letter from Cardinal George Saturday, the day after his death. She had handed him a note months ago and he wrote her saying he "appreciated her words."

Alderman Deb Mell posted on Twitter the letter she received Friday. It was a note thanking her for reaching out to the Cardinal during his health struggles. He told her, "I deeply regret that I have neither the time nor the physical stamina to respond personally to all of this correspondence, even as I reread it prayerfully and with gratitude in my heart."

George, who passed away at the age of 78 Friday after a years-long battle with cancer, even wrote to reporters who covered him closely over his 17 years as Archbishop of Chicago, sending personal notes to at least five reporters who followed him.

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"I'm writing to offer you my deepest thanks for your interest in me and in my concerns during the seventeen years I ministered as Archbishop of Chicago, " he wrote. "Thank you as well for your many kindnesses to me."

George added he wanted to "express his gratitude" and went on to discuss a book he hoped to publish in the "near future."

He wrote that he intended to have his new book sent to the reporters as "soon as it is available."

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