I found out a friend of mine died today

[Bonny]

She wasn't a BFF but she was a long time supporter of stuff I did locally and frankly she was somebody I aspired to be like.

Long time local paper contributor who rose to the ranks of publisher.

We stayed in touch despite DH and my moves. The local paper had been purchased by an out of town entity a while back. Six months ago they laid her off...by phone.  She had worked for the paper for 27 years.

Got the Christmas letter a month ago detailing it all. I knew she was very unhappy (and probably depressed. both she and husband were employed by the local paper.)

Thought I needed to call her and invite her for lunch. I've been busy. She died on 1/12. One year younger than I am so 52.

Please don't feel sorry for me. I post this so you call up that friend you've been meaning to have lunch with.

[mmhmm]

I'm really sorry, Bonny. It's always hard to hear a contemporary has passed on. I always find myself wishing I'd taken the time to call, or something, if I hadn't seen or talked to that person in awhile. My condolences to her family and friends.

[Jaguar]

My condolences for you Bonny.

[Formerly SK]

I always feel life life could end in a blink.  This time we live is so precious. 

I'm sorry for your loss.  And yes, I will call that friend "I've been meaning to call" this weekend. 

[Peace Of Mind]

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend and I'm sorry for her being so depressed and sad at the end.   

Thank you for reminding us to be good friends and to not forget those that matter to us. 

[toomuchreality]

Thanks for the reminder.

Sorry you didn't get to have lunch. (Sorry for your loss, not lunch.)

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

There are no words or explanations to make you feel less sad at the loss of a friend.

Don't dwell on the "what if I'd called her" or "was there anything I could do?".

Celebrate her life, and know she's on a journey to a new one. She's free now of whatever was troubling her.

[dannylion]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Bonny, and thanks for the reminder.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I know how you feel, Bonny.....I'm sorry.

One of my PhD students had a faculty position at UCLA.  I had kept in contact with her at the research meetings, like I do with many where we would meet for lunch during the meeting sometime.

The year after I was sick (missed the meeting the year I got sick) so expected to see her the following year.  At the opening ceremonies, there was a memorium or her at the end.  She was the same age as me.  

This was the first in my age to die.

[tskeeter]

Jan 23, 2015 23:47:43 GMT -5 Bonny said:

She wasn't a BFF but she was a long time supporter of stuff I did locally and frankly she was somebody I aspired to be like.

Long time local paper contributor who rose to the ranks of publisher.

We stayed in touch despite DH and my moves. The local paper had been purchased by an out of town entity a while back. Six months ago they laid her off...by phone.  She had worked for the paper for 27 years.

Got the Christmas letter a month ago detailing it all. I knew she was very unhappy (and probably depressed. both she and husband were employed by the local paper.)

Thought I needed to call her and invite her for lunch. I've been busy. She died on 1/12. One year younger than I am so 52.

Please don't feel sorry for me. I post this so you call up that friend you've been meaning to have lunch with.

Even though your never got to lunch, you can still send her DH a note and tell him how much you admired his wife and how you aspire to be like her.  Would probably make his day.

[Bonny]

Jan 24, 2015 15:58:35 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

Jan 23, 2015 23:47:43 GMT -5 Bonny said:

She wasn't a BFF but she was a long time supporter of stuff I did locally and frankly she was somebody I aspired to be like.

Long time local paper contributor who rose to the ranks of publisher.

We stayed in touch despite DH and my moves. The local paper had been purchased by an out of town entity a while back. Six months ago they laid her off...by phone.  She had worked for the paper for 27 years.

Got the Christmas letter a month ago detailing it all. I knew she was very unhappy (and probably depressed. both she and husband were employed by the local paper.)

Thought I needed to call her and invite her for lunch. I've been busy. She died on 1/12. One year younger than I am so 52.

Please don't feel sorry for me. I post this so you call up that friend you've been meaning to have lunch with.

Even though your never got to lunch, you can still send her DH a note and tell him how much you admired his wife and how you aspire to be like her.  Would probably make his day.

That's exactly what I will do either later today or tomorrow. I can't imagine how devastated he must be.

I can't make it to the memorial service which will be on the 7th since I have to be at the AZ house. There will be a huge turnout I'm sure. And somebody is doing a collection for burial costs. I don't think either of them ever made much money. Being laid-off in your 50s from an industry that's basically dying must be really depressing.

[Deleted]

I'm sorry Bonny. 

[kittensaver]

I'm sorry, Bonny. I just found out today that a friend who was supposed to have "routine" surgery earlier this week passed away - something went wrong and they just took her off life support yesterday. So I get it . Hugs!

[Jaguar]

My sincerest condolences to both kittensaver & The Walk of the Penguin Mich so sorry.

[Bonny]

Life is fleeting isn't it The Walk of the Penguin Mich and kittensaver?

[TheOtherMe]

 to all who have suffered losses.