In Memoriam

Thank you all for assuming that I am close to greatness when you commented on the loss of the Beatles John and George (and Linda McCartney.) ...and indeed George and John were my two favorites of that group, despite the fact (I must confess) that I have always been a more intense Stones fan than Beatles afficionado. Nonetheless, I feel I must set the record straight as there are some beautiful people of whom I was writing who are now being shorted due to the fact that they have rather typical names that plug nicely into celebrity circles.


I therefore dedicate this post to the following people:

LINDA MEALEY



Linda was my best girl friend here in Minnesota. She was a noted ethnologist and psychologist in the area of sexual behavior(ism). She was opinionated, a strong woman and was never afraid to express her opinion - no matter how unpopular. What a wonderful role model for all women. She cared intensely for animals and although not religious, she said a blessing for each animal killed on the highway and worried greatly about the welfare of lab animals and the environment.

JOHN EDWARD ASHMORE, JR.



John was one of the kindest and gentlest souls I have ever known. He was extremely tall and a large man. He dwarfed me at my full height of five foot two inches by far more than a foot. He used to measure short people in Wendy inches. "That woman was even shorter than Wendy, by at least three inches!" he would say. He loved movies and knew every classic by name director and the most insignificant bit player. He was an attorney who defended inmates who had been brought up on charges in prison, and he did so, because very few other people were willing to do so. His mind was super sharp and he loved to analyze chess games! He was as terrible driver as he was a brilliant thinker! I miss both of those characteristics!

STANLEY GEORGE THIRSK

George was an ardent photographer and advocate for the underdog. Even though he had a wandering eye (amblyopia) and could not see three dimensionally, he loved to take nature pictures.



Over the years he presented me with hundreds of gorgeous photos of the wild life of Texas, from wild birds to alligators.



George was my first real boyfriend and was devoted and loyal even after we had both moved on to other people. We spent many happy hours together in the dark room over the years and he even took the pictures for my wedding.



He was gentle and kind, but easily angered when an innocent person was being taken advantage of and then he was off to right that wrong immediately. When he was dying of bone cancer he continued to work in an elder home and take care of others instead of asking to be cared for himself.


I miss all these people terribly (and I miss them much more than famous singers and heiresses! They are every bit as important and every bit as loved. )