This year's letter is late; due to problems working my computer, I have struggled for many months to get it out. That's my excuse. No, the dog didn't eat my homework. I have re-titled it as Happy New Year, since I'm sincerely hoping 2023 breaks the string of bad years - not just for me, but for everyone.
| Important Please note an important change to my phone and email address. My land line is history, so if you call the old number 638-xxxx or use the old email address xxx@centurytel, etc, you won't reach me. Here are the new numbers - please make the changes: Phone: 425 418 - 3321 email:
N93143@outlook.com |
A good friend sent me an email and referred to me as a "single guy." I gently reminded them that I was not Single - I was Married. Married to Dot. Always will be. Always.
They replied by re-identifying me as a Married Man, currently (and temporarily) living apart from his wife. Even that is probably not entirely correct, as Dot occupies my every conscious thought - awake and asleep. As in Frank Sinatra's song "I think of you with every breath I take."
I have written
numerous bereavement letters over the years to friends and employees
who lost loved ones, and I always make the point that people NEVER
die, that is, if they live on in the hearts and minds of those they
leave behind. Well, now I'm getting a healthy dose of my own
message. Dot lives on - truly - and I see and talk to her all day, every day
- and not just in my thoughts, but out loud. She is there in the room
with me, and there in the car. Some one listening at the door might
think there was a couple in the house - and, in a way, there is.
Truth be told, I talk to her more now than I did when she was alive -
for which she might be justifiably peeved. And so, this Holiday
message truly comes from the both of us.
The days fly by, and
personally, I seem to make little progress moving forward with all my
"jobs." I open the blinds every morning, only to close
them again in the evening in what seems like just moments later, to
be followed by the same routine the following morning. Does that
seem to happen to you too?
Synopsis
I'd say my major
items have been 1) my (temporary) return to regular flying, along
with a lot of airborne photography; 2) a lot of visits by friends -
great friends; 3) a physical return to the Museum of Flight for an
Awards Dinner; and 4) a bunch of health issues that reared their
ugly heads and are starting to get downright annoying.
There, you can quit reading now.....
Getting Old.....
Old men spend their
time discussing their medical problems and I decline to do that, at
least without other old men and a park bench. I experienced a series
of five bad sinus infections that culminated in a surgery to remove
obstructions, and - good news - that seems to have worked. Arthritis
in numerous joints has become more and more significant.
And,
finally, around the end of September, I lost most of my sight over a
period of just 3 days. Sudden Onset Wet Macular Degeneration is what
it's called. Hemorrhaging of the blood vessels in the retina. A lot
of doctor visits and now I get regular shots in my eye (sounds worse
than it is) that are something of a miracle cure - unavailable until
the fairly recent past. Expensive before insurance coverage, but a
potential game changer. The Good News is the treatments have
resulted in major improvements in my vision. The Bad News is I am
still far short of my former visual acuity, and may never regain that
acuity. Meaning in plain words - I'm unable to read. Unable to read
papers or books, or soup can labels, or even the shelf labels down at
the supermarket. Often, unable to read my phone - or even my watch!
Also unable to read the dashboard of my car (or my plane). I still
can drive, but have suspended my flying pending further improvement
(if any.) I also have a lot of trouble reading the computer screen, a lot -
and even the keyboard - hence this late newsletter. It has taken many frustrating months to crank it out.
An avid reader with a huge library, computer user, pilot, writer and photographer, these limitations have thrown a major monkey wrench into my primary activities. Well, when life serves up lemons, you make lemonade. So, I've back-filled a bit by polishing up my Morse Code - don't need any eyes for that! And also with a big burst of piano playing, where my sight is also not quite so important (I can't read music anyway, and play by ear.) We've always had pianos in our houses, but they were for Dot; now after almost 70 years away from piano playing - our piano is for me, and I like it a lot. So I play a lot of piano - mostly sad songs, songs Dot loved (and sometimes cried over); I so wish Dot could hear me play. She'd be amazed. I keep finding new songs to both exacerbate and assuage my sorrows; I highly recommend this newly found Tom Paxton piece - hard to listen to without having a good cry; I play it every day on the piano (and have a good cry):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08lVuhv_Va8
Dot playing her piano for the last time - June 8, 2021 (she passed August 8.)
A skinny 65 lbs - skin and bones - at the time - heading towards 50 lbs.
We have a huge music library - note the piece she has selected
Flying
Flying is my Drug of Choice - you can see why
Before my eyes went
bad, I got in quite a bit of flying - see some pictures at the bottom.
On Orcas Island in the San Juans - we used to go there frequently
Friends
have asked for aerial pix of their homes, so I obliged. I was
also testing new camera & lens combinations. I decided to do a
comprehensive photo survey of the Puget Sound region, and areas like
the Snoqualmie and Skykomish valleys, Everett etc. All gave me an
opportunity and excuse to go flying, which I hardly needed. It
turned out to be fortuitous since the late summer visibility turned
terrible due to forest fire smoke - and then my eyes went down. I
acquired some tens of thousands on new images which I can hopefully put
to good use during my (hopefully temporary) grounding.
T.C. Howard & Maria-Rosa's - Shilshole, Seattle
Bill & Judy Moritz - Bothell (center)
Chris Longridge & Carol Burch - Port Townsend
Jeff V.'s place in Chimicum
Chris Johnson & Janet Sargent - Port Orchard
Steve & Ann Bauer - Hansville
Mac and Dora Dalgleish - Hansville
Barb & Leon's white house in Driftwood Key - Hansville
One home I photographed was - our Hansville house - of course.
One of the saddest
moments in my life, and one etched forever in my memory, was the day
they wheeled Dot out of the home we both so loved -- for the last time.
The vision still acutely stabs my soul.
A week later, she moved into her nearby new home on
the hill - I took aerial pictures of that spot too.
Sharing
As the days, pass, I
see sights she so loved and can no longer share with me. Our place
is very tuned into nature - sunrises and sunsets, new flower blooms,
the arrival of the swallows and the new fawns in the Spring. The Seasons change, and we enjoyed even
the chillier and nastier times. Each, I now experience - but alone - and each I mourn for the
sharing we once did.
|
From good friend Scott Carson: The two of you are so blessed to have shared 51 years of your lives together and nothing can ever take that from either one of you. These journeys through life are meant to be shared, and to have someone as special as Dot for you, and you for her, to share that journey with is a gift of untold value. |
So true, Scott. Sharing. A vital part of our existence that we often take for granted.
I take a great photo, make a great dinner, watch an old movie.....
Who to share it with? Indeed.
Life is meant to be Shared.
A pair of young bucks
Especially, I think - the new fawns are the most powerful. Oh the fawns, how beautiful and how sweet.
Dot just loved the new fawns. Can you see them, Dot?
Yes, the deer can be a pain - but how could you not love this guy???
They know. They know.
One day in the Spring, I sat on her bench as always.
The grass was long and needed mowing.
As I sat there, I noticed two big depressions in the tall grass. Deer beds.
A big one. And a small one, right along side. Right in front of her grave.
A Doe and her Fawn had spent the night - right there with Dot.
They knew. They knew......
The Fall colors and her Christmas cactus flowers.....
"I'm taking care of them, Dot, like I promised...."
The Farm - Charley Horse Ranch
One especially important photo
mission involved a few photos I took of the Farm. When we bought the Farm
in 1978, we figured that would be our final place. And fully
expected it to be exactly that. My, we loved our Farm. But, the City we
were trying to escape decided to move to us. When I retired in 1995,
the mortgage was paid for and I expected to live out my days in rural
isolation, with our woods and our fields.
Charley Horse Ranch - 1978
Sadly, not long after, circumstances changed. I had a
verbal deal with the guy who owned the 20 acres to our north to come
see me if he ever wanted to sell. Instead he informed me one day
that he had sold out - to a developer. A sub-division would soon
follow and so we started looking elsewhere to escape. When we left for the last time in 2006, we turned
out the driveway, never looked back, and never returned.
August 4, 2022 - my first look at the Farm since we left in 2006.
Hasn't changed much..... or has it?
er.... the area just north of our old driveway - Suburbia has arrived!
A waterfront place had always been on our radar, and in 1999 after 3 years of looking, we bought our home in Hansville. We actually owned both places for 7 years, but did the unthinkable in 2006, selling the Farm. The first new homes, barely 100 ft away, had not yet been started. My airborne survey during Summer of 2022 showed the results, and validated why we had moved.
The adjacent areas
around Monroe are over-run with massive sub-divisions with houses crammed
cheek-to-jowl and so close, neighbors can shake hands while sitting
on the can in their bathrooms.
A new sub-division just a mile down the road from our Farm.
I call them "Horizontal Slums."
Shockingly, even
backwater Sultan, 8 miles further east heading towards the mountains is exploding
with subdivisions. I can't imagine what Highways 2 and 522 look like
during the morning rush hours. I remember driving to work in Renton
- 35 miles that I drove in 24 minutes flat (a few speeding tickets
along the way) with not a single traffic light and not seeing a
single vehicle between Monroe and Bothell except for the Smith
Brothers Dairy's big milk truck.
Some call it "progress." Some do.
Sultan
Pathfinder
Award
As I've written previously, the Museum of Flight gave me an award on April 30 - their Pathfinder Award (along with 4 other deserving individuals). As is my wont, I gave a short talk and rambled on in unexpected directions - primarily converting my portion into a Memorial for Dot. Well, as my pal Peter Morton always says - "Don't give him the microphone." I had begged off three times, but when they finally twisted my arm, they wound up getting something they might not have expected - hence, my little ramble.
Note my "tux".
After, I had a good cry in Steve Taylor's arms in front of the crowd.
Not having Dot sitting there in the audience was truly overwhelming.
The Museum recorded the presentation and has now released the video. For those interested, you can find it here. The whole video is 2 hrs 16 minutes long; for those just interested in my part, it begins at the 32 minute point (and is about 20+ minutes long). You can get there by hitting play and then dragging the bottom time slider along to the 32 minute mark.
https://nmof.box.com/s/tttjikgpq08jef5hz3oc6givdnrujyk3
Visitors
Many friends have come to visit. After years of isolation, this is quite a change! These are folks who helped me (and us) along our path.
Mark Feuerstein - retired 747 Chief Pilot from Boeing - took me back and
forth to the hospital for my surgery, and kept me company at home while
I regained my bearings.
(Sorry, no picture of Mark.)
Another retired Boeing test pilot - Leon Robert - came unannounced to
sit with me at the cemetery on the one year anniversary of Dot's
passing. Leon and wife Barb are facing their own challenges.
Both Mark and Leon live nearby and are extra special good friends.
My friend Jeff Vella from Pt. Townsend rode with me on my flights and became a frequent house visitor.
Jeff - retired from U.S. Customs - used to clear us back into the U.S. after our Canadian flying trips.
Boeing colleagues Grey Clark (left) and Dave Early
Friend Tom Imrich bought me a lunch in Arlington and then we flew in his Cessna 172
up to Center Island in the San Juans.
Catherine Scott (L) drove all the way from Toronto! No kidding!!!
Randi Ackerman (R) is the local Safeway store manager who drove our groceries out here when Dot was sick.
Kay and Dennis Evans
Talk about "friends".....
My cardiologist Chris Johnson, Janet Sargent and daughter.
They have visited and invited me to share their Thanksgiving Dinner with them (pictured here.)
Steve Taylor - a Giant among men - has been there for me night and day for the last 3-4 years.
I gave him a ride in my plane, and he did likewise in his SeaBee amphibian.
He let me make about 12 water landings - or he let me pretend I was making the landings.
Dot
August 8 marked the
One Year Anniversary since Dot left me and it's really impossible to
believe. Or accept.
Sundays are especially sad days for me. I lost my Dot on a Sunday - it was morning - early in the morning, about 5 AM. A friend wrote that you know you are making "progress" when Dot is not the first thing you think of every morning. So far, I have flunked the course on that one. I do greet her every morning, when I open my eyes and first see - again - the empty spot on the bed. And pretend that she’s still there. Endlessly, I hear her walking around the house and find myself turning to talk to her constantly.
And I do strange things, like being careful when tossing and turning in bed so as not to steal her share of the blankets. And tip-toeing to the bathroom during the night so as not to disturb and waken her. 50 year habits that will never go away. And I count the days, mentally - making a slash mark on the calendar I keep in my mind. Like a prisoner counting the days of his confinement, or until his release. Days turn into weeks, and I make mental “X”s each Sunday, and count the weeks since my life changed forever. They pass much too quickly and I dread the days turning into weeks and the weeks into months.
I loathe each milestone, the special days. Each, was a new first. Alone, and without her. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. Those are empty days in an empty house. Then the harder ones, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, her Birthday, our Wedding Anniversary. It seems that without even trying, Fate finds new ways to rekindle the hurt and the pain. I buy flowers, and put out cards and sometimes even a small piece of cake. Remembering those days in the Past, and pretending they are still in my Present. But, of course, they are not. Well, maybe, maybe they are…. maybe they are.
But, the pain and
hurt still remains and the empty spot on the bed still greets me
every morning. As if Time will reverse the actuality and she'll
yell Surprise! I'm back. While the hole in my
heart is as big as ever. Know Thyself has always been my
motto, and I'm afraid the message it is sending me is very, very
clear: this is where my head will be for the rest of my days. There
are worse things.
I've written a ton
about my experiences with Dot over the past few years, but have
decided to drop those missives. Some people have written telling me
they have been extremely helpful in their life experiences. And,
they have been cathartic for me personally. But, my sense is few
people care to hear repeated bleatings from an old man, so I'll live
with my feelings in silence. However, a surprising number of friends
are traveling down the same roads I traveled, and have reached out
to "talk." I'm happy to do so and by doing so, may be
repaying their past kindness.
A worthless do-gooder - Holly Pigerson - a psychiatry professor with no skin in the game, worked tirelessly for 30 years to convince the psychiatric establishment that prolonged bereavement was a mental illness. In 2022, they finally agreed and assigned a diagnostic code, although they objected to her six month measure and instead agreed to one year as being the timeline. Her stated goal was that formalizing the condition would make it insurance reimbursable and bring more people into "treatment". As is so often the case, the opposite is taking place, especially among people dependent on passing physical exams for employment - like in the transportation industries. In those cases - as with the FAA - just reporting a mental disorder like depression - will result in loss of license. Hence people who previously discussed their situation with their doctors and maybe sought and received some sort of treatment now wouldn't dare ever mentioning the situation lest they become instantly unemployed. The Law of Unintended Consequences is alive and well.
With more than one
year Alone under my belt, my grieving continues on unabated, so best
count me as now legally and officially mentally ill. (Of course,
some of my pals would say that's not "news.")
Friends have come and we often visit Dot - even have lunch with her, as I often do.
Judy and Bill Moritz from Bothell
Trip Switzer and Matt Hayes from the Museum of Flight
Dan Dornseif - Southwest 737 Captain based in Orlando - a great friend
So, in truth, in my
bereavement travels - and in my heart, I am not Alone. I
have my friends. More than I suspected, and more than I
deserve. I often call them from my bench in the cemetery, so Dot can
listen in. There's not a great phone signal there, but we make
do. I spend a lot of time on that bench and often bring a
lunch, or a visitor, and ponder the meaning of Life. I will not
be the first.
Picnic lunch with "my girl."
I am fortunate to be
so close as to enable daily visits. They mean a lot to me, and
remind me of our days in Hawaii. We used to often visit
beautiful Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu and were amazed and impressed
by the families who came to spend the day with their departed loved
one. Flowers, blankets, lawn chairs and a big meal - kids,
grandkids, parents and grandparents. To them, their loved one was
still with them. I try to do the same.
This -- is what never dying is all about....
In the time since
she left me Alone, I have tried to pick through her things, and found
additional assorted items of interest (much I buried with her.)
Flowers and cards, and stuff from her childhood. A Kitten towel
given to her by her Father while she attended Boarding School.
Lots of photos, which I don’t think I have seen before. Or
don’t remember. And, I’ve been sorting and processing my
own huge photo collection, and likewise uncovering long forgotten
gems. I kept my cameras busy taking her picture at every
opportunity, that's for sure, and even I am impressed by the
magnitude.
A full notebook full of hundreds, maybe thousands of images.
A few Emails have opened new doors. Dot could be a very private person - even within our marriage. Emails from some of her friends shed new light - like this one from one of her dancing friends:
She loved you so much and was so happy to be with you. It wasn’t the words of the story of your life together, it was the feeling that she spoke of a loving, of a caring, of a sharing. We didn’t talk much when we danced at the Grannies but she was very happy sharing stories of your life together as we said goodbye to each other at the end of the session.
I wished she would have shared that with me too......
And, from neighbors Mac and Dora:
Bob: Let me start
by thanking you for sharing with us your laments over Dot’s
passing. Such thoughts provide strength to the foundation and hope
for our own marriage. I’m certain the sharing of your thoughts have
provided comfort for many. With Dora and myself our love includes
sharing our feelings for when that time comes that one of us passes
on. We know there will be grieving (After 73 years of marital bliss)
but of most importance we want each other to live on in emotional
peace and comfort. We feel sure Dot wants the same for you, as do we.
May God grant you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Our love, Mac
and Dora
Memorial
When Dot Passed, I released a Memorial on my website dedicated to her memory. It was long, but I didn’t care. It really wasn’t for her, she is gone - or for others; it was for me. It still is. I'm just sharing, should any folks be interested. As I discovered new items, I began adding them and making the Memorial even longer. Longer? Yes, longer.
People often tell me
to remember the Good Times. I try, even though watching
her long and slow and agonizing death usually gets in the way.
But, my Memorial does help and can bring a smile. I’d like to
think we are holding hands as we go through it together…. and maybe
we are. Maybe we are.
It was a helluva ride and I hope she had no regrets. I have none.
For those with the patience, the updated Memorial is here:
https://www.rbogash.com/Dot-M/Dot-M.html
You might want to attack it in chunks so as to not be overwhelmed.
I’ve added an Epilogue recounting some of these thoughts and describing my one year journey Alone. But, I do visit her every day, meaning she hasn't really gone - just moved up on the hill. And try to bring fresh daisies, if possible. Like the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1wXd20kqSY
I want to thank again all who have helped support me during the last year, and those who were there in the year before that, while she was sick. You make me feel both grateful - and guilty, as I hardly deserve such great friends. It’s been a long journey in which emotions and feelings have been stripped raw, over and over again. Others have traveled this path before me. And, sadly, some have gone down this same road during this past year, and some are on that journey today. It is a trip we all will take.
In the end, as I
gaze at her wonderful picture(s), I can only be thankful and frankly
astounded at my good luck in having such a beautiful woman, such a
wonderful soulmate, agree to share her life with me. Can you believe it??? That's as
big a commitment as any of us can make, and not one to be taken
lightly.
Thank you, Dot. Thank you. Thank you a million times over. Merci Beaucoup.
Dot's glasses on her desk - a constant reminder......
Savor each day and love one another, for our time here is
brief.
Wishing you Happy
Days and a better New Year,
Bob B. (and Dot)
Sunrise from the Living Room - June 15, 2022 4:13 AM
Don't forget - More photos that I took this year can be found at the bottom of this page..
Passings - 2022
Full Formal Obits at bottom
1/12/2022 Myron Vogt (85)
Myron was a long time Boeing colleague and also a near neighbor living in Port Ludlow. Like me, he was a long time Boeing Field Rep. Actually, Myron replaced me at Nordair in Montreal in 1972 when we moved to Honolulu.
2/2022 Mike Scott
Mike was the Co-pilot on the Last Flight of the 727 Prototype airplane in March 2016. An avid aviation enthusiast, we maintained contact after that event. He said many times how happy he was to participate in that historic flight. Click here to see it.
4/13/2022 Jean
Rashed 88
At home in Charlottetown
Visiting on the Farm in SnohomishJean was a lifelong
friend of Dot's - and hence me as well. They were almost like
sisters - in some ways even closer. Dot first met Jean when she
moved to Charlottetown from the Magdalen Islands to begin her work
career in the 1950s. We visited the Rashed's on PEI many times and
she and husband Labeeb came and visited us on our farm in Snohomish.
While Dot was sick, and after she passed, Jean called constantly.
She was a tremendous support, more than I could ever say. We cried
many times on the phone together. So, it was a terrible shock to
learn she had suffered a stroke at home in Charlottetown, PEI on
3/25/2022. She passed a few weeks later. Since then, it's been my
turn - calling Labeeb often to support him in his grieving. We are
brothers in our sorrows.
With husband Labeeb and with Dot and Helen Cox. Sadly - all three now gone.
4/23/2022 Anna-Marie
Morton 83
Anna-Marie was the wife of my good friend Peter Morton. They lived on Whidbey Island. See the obit below for her amazing story. Peter is a brother in so many ways.
5/24/2022
Marguerite Cormier (Armand) 95
with Dot 
Marguerite was Dot's
sister-in-law, married to her brother Armand, and lived in the
Magdalen Islands across the road from the ancestral house. She was a
"live wire" with boundless energy, a terrific dancer, a
tremendous cook, and a person with always a smile on her face. Her
son Louis (Louis-Armand) and wife Jocelyn had been one of our main supporters during
Dot's illness and passing. Louis bought Mama's house (Dot's Mother)
from Dot and has done tremendous work restoring it. Louis lives in
Montreal, but summers in the Magdalen Islands.
Louis-Philippe and Marguerite - they Passed shortly after each other.
8/28/2022 Louis-Philippe Cormier 88
Louis was Dot's
brother (and my brother-in-law.) Dot called him Phil; he was two
years older. We were very close and in frequent contact. He was so
active, that he was truly one of those people you thought would live
forever. In fact, only two or three weeks before his passing, there
was a video made of him singing and dancing at Marguerite's (see
above) Celebration of Life. You can view it by sending me a request (I cannot upload to server) -- go
ahead, tell me he wasn't going to live forever.
Louis (Left) and Dot - about 1942.
Dot was the youngest
of 10, and Louis was the last of the living siblings. And so with his
passing, the last page of that Chapter is turned and his passing
marks the end of that generation.
The Siblings - 1961
I wrote in his Memorial Book:
Oh, Louis, how well I remember our many visits and phone calls - in Montreal, Quebec City Havre-Aubert, our farm in Snohomish and our home in Hansville. You were extra special - especially for me - as you were so fluent in English and so willing to use it! The last of 10 - the last of your generation - I thought you would live forever. And keep playing hockey forever.
Barely a year after I lost my beloved Dot (Dorothee) about which I am still in deep mourning, and Martha too. Well, I hope they play hockey in Heaven and am sure you made the team. I shall miss your great laugh and hope you are now sharing it with your siblings "up there." Together again.
I shall shed many a tear and wish you a Bon Voyage, mon Ami.
Bob Bogash
In Louis's house - Magdalen Islands
In our house - Hansville
Sept 28/2022 Queen
Elizabeth II - 96
_(cropped)_(3-to-4_aspect_ratio).jpg)
I was fortunate to have met her twice, once in a week long intimate setting in 1970 when I helped fly her and the Royal Family around the Canadian High Arctic. I wrote up a picture essay page of that event which you find by clicking here.
Nov 29/2022 Bill Blansett 86
Bill was a Boeing colleague, long time manufacturing fixture in the 747 factory in Everett - some called him Mr. 747. A hard worker and straight shooter, if there ever was one. Another Mustang, like Deane below.
Nov 8/2022 Deane Cruze 92
Deane was a long
time colleague and friend. He occupied the highest rank among Boeing
employees - in my book - a "Mustang" - one who rose to the top
through the ranks. He started out as a flight line mechanic and
eventually became Senior Executive Vice President of Operations.
Deane was a fan of mine, but as with some other exec's at the time,
this never translated into the "Big Jobs" with Big
Paychecks that I thought I deserved!
None the less, he touted me to a lot of other people and started giving me "assignments" outside my regular organization and normal line of work (that happens a lot inside Boeing - or used to - and I had many, many stealth "bosses" that appeared nowhere on the Org Chart). This started when he got me assigned as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Washington School of Business. When that seemed to work out, he added the State University of New York. I guess I was doing pretty well, for he followed that up by getting me made Visiting Lecturer at the Sloan School of Business at M.I.T. in Boston where I enjoyed sparring with their Sloanee students for many years. I kept telling Deane I wanted to BE a Sloanee (the path to the top ranks at Boeing) and not their teacher, but alas, by that time I had stayed too long in the Field, was too old (and much too incorrigible.)
The Sloan School of Management at M.I.T. was established to train and "nurture" America's future business leaders. Major corporations annually sent their best and brightest (?) candidates for a year of "training." Like, how to hold your pinkie when sipping a cup of tea off fine china. Graduates (Sloan Fellows) were on a fast-track for the top executive positions in their home corporations after their graduation.
My classes were held
in a huge old-school amphitheater classroom, with wood benches and
furniture, and stepped up many levels high. I taught Manufacturing,
Total Quality, and the Toyota Lean system (Kaizen - Continuous
Improvement.) My entrance was as a Gladiator onto the floor of the
Colosseum. My students, licked their chops, as they figured they
were the Lions and I was a piece of fresh meat. Sorry, boys and
girls, sometimes the Gladiator wins. I could duel with them better
than Errol Flynn taking on a sailing ship full of pirates! Sloanees
thought their poop didn't smell, and I taught them otherwise. I
loved every minute!
Jan 15/2023 Norma
Rianda 98 - Soledad, California
At our wedding - July 29, 1970When Dot and I
eloped from Montreal and got married in this small Spanish Mission in
California, we were alone. But, the local Rianda farm family felt
sorry for these strangers from afar. They decorated the small chapel
with flowers, provided daughter Lynn as the Maid of Honor, and hosted
a small reception in their home afterwards. We stayed in contact,
and visited them many times, including in 2010 and 2015 for our 40th
and 45th Anniversary. But for the pandemic, we would have been there
for our 50th in 2020. I spoke with Norma many, many times during
and after Dot's illness. She remained our last living thread to our
marriage. Norma turned 98 in December. I remain in contact with her
daughters Janet and Anne. We considered ourselves to be part of
their family and hope they felt that way as well.
Dot and Norma Rianda - 2010 (L) and 2015 (R)
OBITUARIES
Jean Rashed
We are saddened to
announce the peaceful passing of Jeannine “Jean” Rashed, on
Wednesday, April 13, 2022, of Charlottetown, age 88 years. She was
the beloved wife of 59 years to Labeeb Rashed. She was mother to
Sandra Hea, Gerrard Invidiata, David (Sue), Regina Cunsolo (Marco),
Michael, and Rhonda (Corey DeRamus). She was the dear Sitto to
Hannah, Alessandro, Amedeo, Jaron, Allegra, Ava, and Lily. She is
survived by sisters-in-law Laura, Edith and Janet Zakem, Elias
(Faida) Rashed, and Souhail (Amal) Rashed. She was predeceased by her
parents Habib and Haniya Zakem; siblings Yvonne Haddad (Jimmy), and
Margaret Haddad (Mike); brothers Abraham, Joseph and Frank Zakem:
brother-in-law George Rashed (Daad), (Sandra): and sister-in-law
Emily (Philip) Nasrallah. Jean is also lovingly remembered by many
cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, god children
and friends.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, family and cherished
memories. She will be sadly missed. The family would like to extend a
special thanks to the QEH staff at Unit 8 for their compassionate and
loving care. In lieu of flowers, on-line memorial donations to the
QEH Foundation Stroke Unit would be appreciated.
Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home, where visitation will take place on Saturday, April 16 from 2-5pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on Monday, April 18, at 10am. Interment in the Roman Catholic Cemetery at a later date. On-line condolences may be shared on Jean’s Memorial Page at: www.belvederefh.com.
Louis-Philippe Cormier (1934-2022)
LEBLANC FUNERAL HOME informs you of the death, on August 28, 2022, of Mr. Louis-Philippe Cormier. He was 88 years old and a resident of Havre-Aubert, in the Magdalen Islands.
He was the husband of the late Mrs. Carmelle Nadeau, the father of Bertrand (his friend Marie-Eve St-Jacques), Marie-Huguette (Michel Arnautovitch), Hugues (Sherri Jordan) and Martine, and the grandfather of Mila ( Jérémie Déry-Bergeron), Béatrice, Camille and Kate. He also leaves to mourn his brothers-in-law Lucien Bouffard and Robert Bogash, his sister-in-law Céline Bouffard (Marian Lavoie), his friend Élisabeth Painchaud, as well as his nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The family will welcome you at the Havre-Aubert funeral home on Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 9 a.m. A celebration of the Word will follow at the same place at 11 a.m. and the burial in the Notre-Dame de la Visitation cemetery in Havre-Aubert.
Please note that the funeral rituals will be held in accordance with the health instructions and rules in force.
Your marks of sympathy can result in a donation to the Madeli-Aide Foundation for Education.
The children of Mr. Louis-Philippe Cormier would like to thank the staff of the CISSS des Îles and the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec for the good care provided to their father.
Louis-Philippe CORMIER (1934-2022)
La MAISON FUNÉRAIRE LEBLANC vous informe du décès, le 28 août 2022, de monsieur Louis-Philippe Cormier. Il était âgé de 88 ans et résident de Havre-Aubert, aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Il était l’époux de feu madame Carmelle Nadeau, le père de Bertrand (son amie Marie-Eve St-Jacques), Marie-Huguette (Michel Arnautovitch), Hugues (Sherri Jordan) et Martine, et le grand-papa de Mila (Jérémie Déry-Bergeron), Béatrice, Camille et Kate. Il laisse aussi dans le deuil ses beaux-frères Lucien Bouffard et Robert Bogash, sa belle-soeur Céline Bouffard (Marian Lavoie), son amie Élisabeth Painchaud, ainsi que ses neveux, nièces, parents et amis.
La famille vous accueillera au salon funéraire de Havre-Aubert le samedi 10 septembre 2022 à compter de 9h. Suivront une célébration de la Parole au même endroit à 11h et l’inhumation au cimetière Notre-Dame de la Visitation de Havre-Aubert.
À noter que les rituels funéraires se tiendront dans le respect des consignes et des règles sanitaires en vigueur.
Vos marques de sympathie peuvent se traduire par un don à la Fondation Madeli-Aide pour l’éducation.
Les enfants de monsieur Louis-Philippe Cormier souhaitent remercier le personnel du CISSS des Îles et de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec pour les bons soins prodigués à leur père.
Bill D. Blansett of Mountain View, Arkansas
December 10, 1935 - November 29, 2022
Billie D. Blansett
of Mountain View, Arkansas passed peacefully on Tuesday November 29th
at the age of 86. Born in Oklahoma, Bill and family moved to Arkansas
where he later graduated from Mountain View High School in
1954.
Bill was in the United Stsates Army and was a
veteran of World War II.
His pursuit of work and opportunity led
him to Wichita, where he started what became a 40-year career with
The Boeing Company. After retiring in 1994, Bill enjoyed returning to
the small town life in Mountain View where he spent the last 3
decades farming and restoring Farmall Tractors with friends.
He was
known for his commitment to his family, and passion for sharing his
life experiences through storytelling in his later years.
Bill
is survived by his wife Linda L. Blansett, Daughter Donna, son
in-laws Dan and Galen, and three grandchildren Brandon, Eric, and
Katie.
He is preceded in death by his loving daughter
Sherra.
Funeral Services for Mr. Blansett will be 2PM Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Flatwoods Missionary Baptist Church in Mountain View, Arkansas. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will follow at Flatwoods Cemetery. Brother Finis Brewer will officiate. Roller- Crouch Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Anna Marie Morton: May 24, 1939-April 23-2022
Anna Marie Morton (nee Boone) died April 23, 2022, a month before her 83rd birthday. Beloved of her husband, son, and family, she lived a life deeply committed to a number of social and educational causes focused on the well-being of children. Among them was serving as a teacher’s assistant at the Little School in Bellevue WA, where she learned so much as an aide to an amazing teacher and inspiring students. She facilitated eight PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) groups in Bellevue and was one of the founders of Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island. Anna Marie was a “pretend grandmother” to some wonderful children she encountered among her activities and through friends.
Anna Marie was born in Elma WA, grew up in Washington DC and rural Maryland, graduated from the University of Vermont School of Dental Hygiene, and practiced dental hygiene in Indiana, Illinois, and Washington State. A practitioner of health maintenance through oral care and nutrition, she partnered with many dentists, serving their offices as a nutritional counselor for patients, and created her own service company Nutrition, Etc. She was an avid student of non-traditional medicine, collaborating with many medical and dental professionals. She lived a life committed to the well-being of her dental patients, family, and friends.
In her later years, Anna Marie “discovered” the magic of Whidbey Island and moved to the Langley area upon the retirement of Peter, her husband, from Boeing. A culmination of her community service was founding Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island together with a group of like-minded women in 2009. They understood the critical need to pass women’s wisdom to generations of new parents through support-in-residence for young families with newborn to early kindergarten children. Today, Mother Mentors serves all of Whidbey Island, along with its sister operation Playscape, a daytime play retreat for young children that builds vital relationships among parents and care givers.
Anna Marie is
survived by her husband Peter and son and daughter-in-law Doug and
Tori Fairhurst, her sister Williena Ausherman and an extended family
in Washington State and Florida. She was predeceased by her father,
Melvin Weller Boone, and mother, Dorothy Leanna Boone (Cabe). During
her stay on this Earth, she left each place of residence and service
better than she found it and will remain a loving memory to many
friends and family who will deeply miss her unique personality,
affection, and quiet wisdom.
NORMA RIANDA
Norma Gaddini Rianda
passed away Jan. 15, 2023, at home in Soledad with her daughters
Janet and Anne by her side, just one month after her celebrating her
98th birthday. She was born in Chicago, Ill., on December 11, 1924,
to Italian immigrants Guido and Mary Pierini Gaddini, joining her
sister Gloria. She was educated at private Catholic schools,
receiving a Bachelor of Sciences degree in 1947 from Mundelein
College in Chicago, now a part of Loyola University.
After
beginning her career as a home economist in Chicago, Norma traveled
to California to visit relatives in San Francisco and Eureka. While
attending Humboldt State, she became aware that she was eligible for
an Emergency Lifetime Teaching Credential due to a shortage of
teachers following World War II. She was hired by the Gonzales Union
School District, where she taught High School Home Economics for six
years, to both boys and girls! It was at this time she met her future
husband of 55 years, Milton Rianda.
They were married in Chicago in
June 1949 and returned to live on River Road, later moving to the
ranch in the Mission District of Soledad. After the birth of their
three daughters, Janet, Lynn, and Anne, Norma returned to teaching,
for both the Soledad Unified School District and Gonzales High
School, until her retirement in 1981.
Norma enjoyed her teaching
career, citing mutual respect between teacher and students as what
kept her teaching for over 30 years. She often saw and heard from
former students, and was very pleased that many of them remained
friends over the years.
Norma embraced her new community and
participated in many local organizations, including the founding of
the Gonzales Young Homemakers and, as an accomplished gardener, The
Hoe and Show Garden Club with neighborhood gardeners. She was a long
time member of the Altar Society holding many offices, and started a
member's library while president of Young Ladies' Institute. For
several years, Norma taught 4-H clothing and food classes, and served
as a judge at local and county fairs. Her own projects won many blue
ribbons at local, county, and state fairs. Norma was a remarkable
piano player and enjoyed playing for parties and teas at Eden Valley
Care Center in Soledad for many years. In addition to enjoying years
long-running Pedro and bunco groups, Norma was an artistic mosaic
crafter, creating over one-hundred stepping stones and plant pots
which decorated her Mission District and Arroyo Seco homes and
gardens.
Norma is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years,
Milton Rianda; daughter, Lynn Rianda; parents, Guido and Mary
Gaddini; and sister, Gloria Cassinelli. She is survived by her
daughters, Janet Rianda of Greenfield, and Anne Rianda of Soledad;
nephew, Chuck (Cindy) Cassinelli of Salinas; niece, Renee (Thad
Transue) Rianda; and nephew, Neal Rianda of Greenfield. She also
leaves her remaining first cousin, Rita Brietbart of Iowa; and the
families of her deceased beloved cousin, John Pierini, his wife Mary,
and children, Jeff (Julie), John (Carolyn) and Jan Marie Pierini; and
many relatives in Illinois, Iowa, Florida, Missouri and Italy.
The
family wishes to thank Dr. Christine Ponzio and staff, and the
Visiting Nurses Association for their care. A special thank you to
Diana Binsacca for her compassionate dedication to Norma, Janet and
Anne, and Jesse and Jose Argueta and families for their help and
kindness through the years.
Visitation (2-5 p.m.) and Rosary (3 p.m.) will be on Jan. 30, 2023, at Woodyard Funeral Home on 395 East Street in Soledad. Private Mass will be on Jan. 31, 2023, with burial at Gonzales Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Visiting Nurses Association, South County Animal Rescue (SCAR) or a Boys and Girls club of your choice. Funeral arrangements by Woodyard Funeral Home in Soledad.
Published by Salinas Valley Tribune from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31, 2023.
Deane Cruze
Deane Cruze, 92, passed away peacefully in his home on November 8, 2022 after living with Parkinson's and prostate cancer for over 10 years. He was born in Franklin Grove, Illinois to Clarence and Rose (Godfrey) Cruze on Oct. 19, 1930. Interestingly, he was born with a veil (caul) over his face. Many cultures believe someone is destined for greatness when this rare event occurs, and that was certainly true in his case!
Dad experienced profound poverty and hardship at a young age. His mother died when he was 5 years old, leaving five children with an alcoholic father in the middle of the Depression. They had a turbulent life moving multiple times within Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee and New York. Eventually, 9 year old Deane and his siblings were placed in the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home in Xenia, Ohio, as their father was not able to care for them. The children thrived at this remarkable "Home" as it was the first time they had stability, enough food to eat and a nurturing environment. This 150 acre self-contained community had a dairy, farm, hospital, and library and they were provided an education, church services, music and vocational skills. Dad loved the Home, which is now a museum, and was thrilled to visit in 2015 with his elder sister.
After a few years, their father remarried and they were rejoined with him and a stepmother, and eventually more siblings. The family moved to Florida, but home life was still unstable and Dad chose to rent a room at a boarding house at age 16. While working three jobs, he supported himself and graduated from Ocala High School in 1949. As soon as he could, he joined the United States Navy.
In 1951, while stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, he met Catherine (Reita) Rae, who was visiting from Scotland. They fell instantly in love and were engaged within a month. She waited for him in Seattle while he deployed to Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and eventually flying 42 combat missions in Korea during the Forgotten War. He was very proud of his Naval service and loved his country. After their March 21, 1953 marriage, they were stationed in Alameda, CA for 6 months before returning to Seattle, where all five of their children were born.
Dad began a 43 year career at The Boeing Company in 1953, starting out as a flight line mechanic and rising to the highest echelons of Boeing management, Senior Executive Vice President of Operations. In the early 60's, the family moved to Missouri with the Minute Man program and to New Orleans with the Saturn Rocket program. They moved back to the Pacific Northwest in 1966 to build the world's largest jet, the 747. Dad was one of the original "Incredibles", pouring concrete and building the airplane simultaneously. His many assignments took him from Everett to Renton to East Marginal Way, where he managed with an iron fist and a soft heart. His hard work and accomplishments earned him respect and promotions, but he never forgot where he came from. He maintained friendships with everyone from janitorial crew to Airline customers, Suppliers, Government officials and industry leaders. He enjoyed his rich and rewarding career and stayed just long enough to deliver the first 777 to United Airlines.
After retiring in 1995, Dad enjoyed playing golf, cooking, drinking fine wine and good whiskey, traveling, and spoiling grandkids (and eventually great grandkids). He had been a runner since the 1960's and still ran 5 miles per day until he was 80 years old. He never met a stranger, striking up conversations with every person he came in to contact with - always charming them with his "Cruze Blues" (his beautiful blue eyes), his silver tongue and his wit. During the last years of her life, he was a dedicated, loving caregiver to our Mother, and he never stopped missing her since her passing in 2015.
The most important aspect of Dad's life was family. He was a strict but loving father who loved unconditionally and never stopped demonstrating his care and generosity. The profound joy of knowing him and being his children will never leave us.
He is predeceased by the love of his life, Catherine (Reita) Cruze, his beloved daughter Pamela Ratcliffe, and granddaughter Kyla Siems. He is survived by his sons Rande (Celia) Cruze, Kevin (Lora) Cruze, Kerry (Debrah) Cruze, his daughter Laurie (Howard) Knott, and son-in-law Chuck Ratcliffe. Also survived by his grandchildren Andrea, Kailee, Tyler, Reiva, Grady, Lindsey, Kara, Justin, Sarah, Ryan, Lyle, Sean, Kaitlin and Kevin Jr., their partners, as well as 20 great grandchildren and one on the way. He will be greatly missed by his "big" sister Joyce Elayne and his extended family. We are forever thankful for the loving care that his wonderful caregiver Elenoa Qoyroya provided the last 5 years of his life. Thank you also to Providence Hospice, doctors and other caregivers who provided such great care.
A celebration of life will be held Monday, January 9, 2023 at 11:00 am at Sunset Hills Memorial Park (1215 145th Pl love SE, Bellevue). Everyone is welcome!
Remembrances may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 - or to any cause that you love.
