I Don't Think I Have The Words
I was privileged to count Ann Cecil as a friend for the past 30 years. This morning, that ended when she lost her battle with cancer.
Ann was one of those rare people that comes quietly into your life, filling holes you never realized were there. She was unfailingly generous with her time, with her money, with her home. At a point in my life when I could no longer handle living at home, but couldn't afford a place of my own, she gave me a place to live. If it had been months since we'd spoken, we could pick things up like we'd seen each other yesterday. She was quick with a compliment - in fact, last Saturday, when I visited her in the hospital, the subject of the silk scarves that I hand-dye came up. Even though she was weak and having trouble breathing and speaking, she quickly said "Wonderful scarves!". That was the last compliment she gave me, and one that I'll always treasure. Even her criticisms were gently spoken, and somehow, left you feeling good.
She was the heart and soul of Pittsburgh science fiction fandom. She was a founding member of PARSEC, the local SF club. She was the moving force behind Confluence, the local SF convention. She attended the yearly get-together of Fort Weyr, a Dragonriders of Pern fan club. She was the Listener Guest of Honor several years ago at the Ohio Valley Filk Fest.
She was an island of sanity in an insane world. And that world is a bit darker today without her.
Ann was one of those rare people that comes quietly into your life, filling holes you never realized were there. She was unfailingly generous with her time, with her money, with her home. At a point in my life when I could no longer handle living at home, but couldn't afford a place of my own, she gave me a place to live. If it had been months since we'd spoken, we could pick things up like we'd seen each other yesterday. She was quick with a compliment - in fact, last Saturday, when I visited her in the hospital, the subject of the silk scarves that I hand-dye came up. Even though she was weak and having trouble breathing and speaking, she quickly said "Wonderful scarves!". That was the last compliment she gave me, and one that I'll always treasure. Even her criticisms were gently spoken, and somehow, left you feeling good.
She was the heart and soul of Pittsburgh science fiction fandom. She was a founding member of PARSEC, the local SF club. She was the moving force behind Confluence, the local SF convention. She attended the yearly get-together of Fort Weyr, a Dragonriders of Pern fan club. She was the Listener Guest of Honor several years ago at the Ohio Valley Filk Fest.
She was an island of sanity in an insane world. And that world is a bit darker today without her.