A great loss to the music community
Subject: Frederick Fennell's passing
An e-mail from Fred Fennell's daughter...You may have already heard this news.
I want you, and the greater music community to know that my father died
peacefully in his sleep early this morning, Tuesday, December 7, 2004.
Elizabeth and I were by his side. I had promised him that I would do
all I could to get him back to Siesta Key so he could watch the sun set
over the ocean. With the help of Hospice, he arrived home in time to
see the brilliant orange and pinks in the western skies last evening. A
bit before Midnight, dad told me he was "frustrated and disappointed."
When I asked him,"Why?" he replied, "There's no drummer here yet. I
can't die without a drummer!" I told him that I loved him, and that
"Heaven's best drummer was on the way." Moments later he said, "I hear
him! I hear him! I'm OK now." This was my final conversation with my
dad.
I was blessed to be able to dress my father in his finest set of tails
after he died, complete with the usual struggle with his tie. Elizabeth
asked if he could be "dressed up" and I could think of nothing finer for
a lasting memory. Dad asked to be cremated and that I scatter his ashes
in the woods at Interlochen, Michigan this summer. This, of course, I
will do
Elizabeth is OK at this point. We are closely watching her, monitoring
her blood sugar levels and seeing that she gets the diet and rest she
needs after such a life transition.
There will be a small Memorial Service at a church in Siesta Key. No
date or time has been set yet. As knowledge of my father's death is
communicated, please keep both Elizabeth and me in your prayers.
Fondly
Cathy Fennell Martensen
An e-mail from Fred Fennell's daughter...You may have already heard this news.
I want you, and the greater music community to know that my father died
peacefully in his sleep early this morning, Tuesday, December 7, 2004.
Elizabeth and I were by his side. I had promised him that I would do
all I could to get him back to Siesta Key so he could watch the sun set
over the ocean. With the help of Hospice, he arrived home in time to
see the brilliant orange and pinks in the western skies last evening. A
bit before Midnight, dad told me he was "frustrated and disappointed."
When I asked him,"Why?" he replied, "There's no drummer here yet. I
can't die without a drummer!" I told him that I loved him, and that
"Heaven's best drummer was on the way." Moments later he said, "I hear
him! I hear him! I'm OK now." This was my final conversation with my
dad.
I was blessed to be able to dress my father in his finest set of tails
after he died, complete with the usual struggle with his tie. Elizabeth
asked if he could be "dressed up" and I could think of nothing finer for
a lasting memory. Dad asked to be cremated and that I scatter his ashes
in the woods at Interlochen, Michigan this summer. This, of course, I
will do
Elizabeth is OK at this point. We are closely watching her, monitoring
her blood sugar levels and seeing that she gets the diet and rest she
needs after such a life transition.
There will be a small Memorial Service at a church in Siesta Key. No
date or time has been set yet. As knowledge of my father's death is
communicated, please keep both Elizabeth and me in your prayers.
Fondly
Cathy Fennell Martensen