MEREDITH SUE ISRAEL THOMAS, a former publicist for RCA, died Dec. 21 after a years-long battle with breast cancer; she was 39. Services were held this morning in Manhattan. Thomas, whose own odyssey transformed her into a persuasive advocate for research and early detection, wrote candidly about her illness and much more in her Carebridge blog--and announced in October (as we reported here) that she had decided to suspend treatment. "I want to die with dignity," she wrote then. "I want to die a blonde and being Meredith." She inspired people well beyond her musical circle with her spirit and good humor, prompting numerous tributes. She began her tenure at RCA as Jack Rovner's assistant, becoming a publicist in 2001 and ultimately working with such artists as Dave Matthews Band, Christina Aguilera and Kings of Leon. "She was the heart and soul of the new RCA," reads a quote from Rovner in a media release. She later worked in talent booking and hospitality, and started her own PR firm, MSI Relations, in 2007. Meredith is survived by her daughter Niomi and husband Gary; our condolences to her loved ones and her community of readers, admirers and fellow activists. Donations to the following were encouraged in lieu of flowers: Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Entertainment Industry Foundation, Revlon Walk, (under Miles4Meredith-Meredith Israel Thomas); Dr. Mark Robson Foundation, c/o Ms. Jane Wyeth, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. (12/24p)