Matt Cutts posted on his personal blog some terrible personal news that explained his wife passed away this week. Matt never mentioned his wife by name, but always referenced he had a wife and how much she has meant to him. I was always felt a deep sense of love and admiration in anything Matt shared about his wife.
Personally, I am heart broken to hear that Matt has lost his "wife and best friend," as he put it. The community has shown an outpouring of love and sorrow over the news. I cannot imagine how Matt is feeling right now. The void, emptiness, loss of not having his wife by him must be unbearable. If all of us could just take a tiny bit of that pain away, it would be a blessing. But even then, even with the tens of thousands of people that is praying for Matt and his family - we know, there is really absolutely nothing we can do.
I strongly debated if I should cover such an event here. Who are we to talk about Matt's personal life. But I felt (a) he wrote the blog post sharing it publicly and (b) hearing from those who care about you, is often something that helps the person grieving go through the process. Calling it a process, in itself, feels unsympathetic and emotionless.
Matt Cutts, and by extension, his wife, has been instrumental to our industry, fundamental to the building blocks of SEO and Google. Matt deeply cared about the industry, the people, and virtually everyone he encountered. Matt has a thing about him, a way about him, that made people who spoke to him connect with him in a deeper way. He always reminded me of my brother - the way he spoke to people, the patience, the way he thought before he talked, all done with the utmost sensitivity. Why? Because he cares.
To see Matt lose someone so special to him, so apart of him, it really tears me apart.
Matt - we all love you, deeply appreciate everything you've done for the community and now the US government and the people of the country. You are a very special individual and we know your wife was a huge part of all of that. I know it feels like you lost a part of yourself this week and there is no way you will ever get that back. I just hope some of the community can help you feel slightly better - even if it takes time.
Please take a moment to read what Matt wrote about his wife over here.
With the deepest respect - as we say in the Jewish culture, may G-d comfort you among the other mourners.
Here are some tweets and comments from those in the industry:
There's an entire community both inside and outside of Google with you both in our thoughts, Matt.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 8, 2018
I am so so deeply sorry. :( Wishing you, and the family strength.
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) March 8, 2018
Oh my. Matt, I'm so, so sorry. You have an amazing community of friends here for you.
— Nathan Johns (@NathanJohns) March 8, 2018
My heart sunk. I am so sorry Matt. I know you have an incredible group of close friends and supporters, the crowd of people who send love and thoughts is so much bigger than you might expect. I hope some of that comfort reaches you when you need it most. ♥️
— Ashley (@BermanHale) March 8, 2018
My deepest condolences, Matt. She sounds like she was a wonderful person.
— Walt Mossberg (@waltmossberg) March 8, 2018
Oh no, Matt, I am so so sorry. Sending you all my love, friend.
— Gina Trapani 🏳️🌈 (@ginatrapani) March 8, 2018
Matt I'm so sorry we are all here for you if you ever need to talk please don't hesitate to reach out. Much love to you and your family.
— Adam Singer (@AdamSinger) March 8, 2018
I’m so sorry this happened. Sending you love from Boston.
— Larry Kim (@larrykim) March 8, 2018
Words are never adequate in moments like these. I am so sorry for your loss, Matt. Sending you my deepest condolences. Cindy seemed like an incredible woman.
— Akvile DeFazio | Facebook Ads Consultant (@AkvileDeFazio) March 8, 2018
I am so sorry :( I just feel so heartbroken for you. We all love you, and I will praying for you day and night. Please take care of yourself and please lean on the industry that cares so much for you. We are all here for you.
— Melissa Fach (@SEOAware) March 8, 2018
Oh Matt, so sorry for your unimaginable loss. ( { } )
— MichelleRobbins (@MichelleRobbins) March 8, 2018
Omg no. So sorry for your loss. In Texas mi casa is su casa if you need to escape.. hugs and prayers for you.
— ☕ Steve Plunkett ☕ (@steveplunkett) March 8, 2018
So sorry Matt - our thoughts and prayers are with you
— Nick Wilsdon (@nickwilsdon) March 8, 2018
I’m so very sorry to hear this :( a big hug and all the strength Matt
— Aleyda Solis (@aleyda) March 8, 2018
Oh no. So sorry for your loss. Very sorry to hear this. From your blog post it's so evident you made a great team and there was huge love between you. RIP Cindy. Wishing strength to you at this difficult time Matt :(:(:(
— Dawn Anderson (@dawnieando) March 8, 2018
So sorry to hear, Matt. Thoughts with you.
— Screaming Frog (@screamingfrog) March 8, 2018
Peace Matt, please <3 :(
— martyweintraub (@martyweintraub) March 8, 2018
So sorry to hear this, I know she was such a big part of your life and you spoke often about how amazing she was.
— Jennifer Slegg (@jenstar) March 8, 2018
There are literally thousands of responses on Twitter, Google+, Reddit and his personal blog. Please share a story of how Matt has helped you in your professional or personal life - it is probably the best thing you can do for him right now.
Update: Dixon Jones from the industry set up a link to donate to a charity that was meaningful to Matt's wife. The link is over here.
Update 2: Here is an update from Matt Cutts thanking everyone:
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been sending good thoughts and support my way. I won't be able to say "thank you" to every person, but the good wishes have meant so much to me during a difficult time. Thank you.
— Matt Cutts (@mattcutts) March 29, 2018
