As previously reported, STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet's wife Kyle Rae Sweet passed away on March 5th following a long battle with ovarian cancer. As you may recall, last summer legendary rockers BOSTON enlisted Michael Sweet for their North American tour dates. Mainman Tom Scholz' wife Kim Scholz has just issued the following tribute to Kyle Rae Sweet:

"Kyle Sweet touched my life and heart deeply in the short time we knew each other. I know that she had that effect on countless people, and it's easy to see why. Her essence was captivating, a woman that was one of those rare cases of being as beautiful inside as she was physically. Although none of us mortals are perfect, to me, she was as close to perfection as anyone could be. I met her in the summer of '07, when she was in remission. At the time, she was somewhat nervous about an upcoming television appearance, as the thought of public speaking was very daunting to her. She was going on TV to talk about the miracle of being cancer-free after her surgery. You never would have known that she was apprehensive when it came time for the taping, she handled it beautifully, with elegance, grace and pure authenticity.

She was a great example of facing one's fears and getting through them, and her strength and bravery continues to inspire and impress me.

While Tom felt like he had found a long-lost brother when he met Michael, Kyle felt like a sister to me immediately. We had so much in common, from silly things like the way we pronounced the words "aunt" or "often," and other quirky New Englandisms, to our husbands and their craft, and the way we thought about many aspects of life. It was refreshing to have a new friend that "got me." We were both raised with the same religion, and although we walked different spiritual paths in adulthood, she never judged me or anyone else for their beliefs, and gave 100+ percent to hers. Along with her faith, Kyle's family was her pride, joy, and priority. She was intensely proud of her kids ... one day at rehearsal, I remember her excitedly showing me some YouTube videos of her daughter dancing, beaming with pride. She was often tired from getting chemotherapy, but made the effort to always be there whenever she could, or go out to see her son play in his band, or go watch her daughter perform in a dance competition. The pleasure that she got out of the two amazing kids that she & Michael raised was immeasurable. Her love and inner strength made up for any physical limitations that came, I so admire her tenacity; she never gave up no matter what challenge she was facing, and I will always remember her fervent drive and vitality, and her unconditional dedication to the things that she held dear.

Her courage never wavered, even when her cancer came back ... it just made her want to fight even harder, which she did with her whole being until she no longer could. She was that way with all things, always willing to stand her ground for what was right and what she believed in, and she made many people stronger by her example, me included. I thank her for that gift and her friendship, and I hope she knows how much I love her. Kyle was a true pioneer, and blindly and bravely was the first one to try a brand new chemo concoction, unsure of potential side effects, but willing to give it a shot, just in case it was the miracle drug she needed. She knew that a cure for ovarian cancer was unlikely in her lifetime, but she always voiced a hope for a cure in the near future so that other women would not have to endure anything like her horrific experience.

Taking a giant leap of faith, she encouraged Michael to go out on tour last summer, even though she was too ill to travel and could not accompany him. It was extremely difficult for them both, but, their support for one another made their bond even stronger. The love story between Michael and Kyle is one of epic proportions, for they were two of the lucky few that found their soul-mate. After decades of marriage, it warmed my heart that they still held hands, gazed into each other's eyes, and were as smitten with each other as when their love was new, if not more so. When I first heard Michael sing "Amanda," it was so intense and heartfelt ... the kind of thing that gives you goose-bumps. I complimented him on his rendition, and he replied, "I'm singing it to Kyle, I just love her so much." That emotion was evident at every show, and on many nights, I would call Kyle as the song started playing, and though the sound quality coming through my cell phone was horrendous, it was wonderful music to her ears that made her weep with joy. Kyle, Mikey and Lena came out to the show in Denver. When it was time for "Amanda" in the set list, Michael found Kyle in the sea of people in the audience, locked eyes with her, and sang his heart and soul out to her. It was truly a divine moment.

I would sometimes go sit with her when she got her treatments, and we would just talk about anything and nothing at all. We would make pretend that the milky-white chemo liquid was some fabulous internal spa treatment, and for a short while, it appeared to be working, as her cancer marker numbers would drop each time they were tested. What a joyous time, we were all anxiously anticipating another miracle. The false hope was magical while it lasted. During one of our visits, I had offhandedly mentioned that I wanted a long, red sweater, but had not been able to find one that I liked. Several weeks later, Kyle came to Dana Farber with a package in her hand, and couldn't wait for me to open it. Inside was a beautiful, long, red sweater. It could not have been more perfect, it looked as if it were custom made for me. She and Ellena had gone on a serious mission to find it, and didn't give up until they did. Her delight in giving to others was apparent that she totally lived by the adage, "It's better to give than to receive."

Kyle was a fierce animal lover, and opened her heart and her home to some furry beings that wandered in. Lots of feral cats roamed their neighbourhood, and the Sweets happily fed them. When the population started to get out of control, Kyle humanely trapped all of the cats to have them spayed and neutered, then lovingly released them back into their yard. Anything she did, was from the heart, and that love exuded from her. Her humility made her all the more beautiful. Even during her sickness, she was radiant, and if you didn't know her situation, you never would have guessed that she was battling a monster. Her fight was valiant and gracious, and through it all, she never missed an opportunity to perform a random act of kindness for another being, regardless of how terrible she was feeling.

I never heard Kyle once complain about her predicament, she accepted whatever was, as God's will. She's such a powerful woman, beyond beautiful, compassionate, bright, funny, passionate, completely authentic, and a stellar example of humanity. She makes me want to be a better person. Kyle was a loving wife and mother, and a dear friend to so many fortunate people who's lives were changed for the better just by knowing her. Although Kyle's physical absence leaves a gaping void in my life, I am grateful that she is pain-free and at peace now, and I will always be thankful that she graced my life. I will miss my friend profoundly, and she will be forever in my heart."