For all you group members here it was reported in the Lugosi group on Yahoo that Linda known as Meek passed away this morning of a heart attack she died at the hospital all the information was posted on the Lugosi group. General Terry i forward a copy of the information to you by e-mail so you can post it here in the group.
Creeper
* Edited by mod only to include sad icon at thread.
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Linda Miller aka pvt meek - PLEASE READ! Message List
Reply | Forward Message #24630 of 24634 < Prev | Next >
Hello everyone,
I don't know even where to start. I received a call this morning from
Linda Miller's mother. It's not easy for me to write this message for
I write with heavy heart and tears in my eyes. Linda passed away on
Monday.
Her mother did not have a lot of your phone numbers (Linda only kept
a select few in her address book)and her mother doesn't know how to
do email nor did she have Linda's passwords, so she asked that I pass
this on to all of her friends and people who knew her. Linda did not
feel well on Monday morning as she was getting ready for work and
told her mother she felt her heart racing. Her mother asked if she
should call an ambulance. Linda said no and asked that a friend that
she worked with at the library come and take her to the hospital.
Once Linda arrived at the hospital they ushered her in and she was
hooked up to a respirator and they used the paddles. Her mother Mrs.
Reed was then told that she could come in and say good-bye to her
daughter. Linda had a bad heart and not even Linda knew she had a
heart condition. Her mother said her heart was so badly damaged that
there would have been no way to save Linda. Her mother was there with
Linda holding her hand.
Linda passed from a massive heart attack. Since Linda only had her
mother (her brother Hans-Deiter who lives in PA could not come) there
will be no funeral only an hour visitation and she will be buried
with her picture of Neddy.
Her mother asked that no flowers be sent, only that if you wish, to
make a donation to the Spirit Lake Iowa Library where Linda was an
employee for 25 years. The library, in honor of Linda will be closed
tomorrow. Her mother said there is also a nice write-up in the Spirit
Lake, IA newspaper.
Spirit Lake Public Library
702 16th Street
Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360
If you wish to send her mother a card, the address is:
Mrs. Helga Reed
906 Hill Ave.
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Here is Linda's Obituary.
Linda A. Miller, 48, of Spirit Lake, passed away Monday, September
15, 2008, at Lakes Regional Healthcare. She was born on October 1,
1959, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Lyman H. And Helga J. (Miller)
Reed.
Linda graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1977, and then went
on to further her education, earning a Associate Arts Degree in 1979.
She worked at the Spirit Lake Public Library for twenty five years
and as a free lance artist in the area. She also worked as an
editorial cartoonist for the Spirit Lake Beacon in the early 80's.
Linda enjoyed spending her spare time painting, drawing, reading,
collecting books, listening to classical music and had a true love
for animals. She was a researcher for the Shakespeare Data Bank at
the University of Illinois, a member of the Richard III Society in
London, the T.E. Lawrence Society at Oxford, and was the President of
the Okoboji Summer Theatre Association.
Linda is survived by her mother, Helga Reed of Spirit Lake; a
brother, Hans-Deiter Miller of Newmanstown, Pennsylvania; an aunt,
Hannelore Hubner of Berlin; two nieces, Jennifer and Michelle; a
nephew, Eric; and a great-nephew, Xavier. She was preceded in death
by her father, Lyman; and her grandmother, Pearl Reed.
A funeral service will be held Friday, at 1:00P.M. at the Schuchert
Funeral home. Burial will be at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of
flowers, memorials may be given in Linda's name.
Personally speaking, Linda was one of my best friends. I could never
have asked for a better friend in this world. Not only speaking for
myself but for others here as well, Linda will be greatly missed and
no other words can express the joy she gave us in her art, her wit
and her warmness. I never thought that I would have to post this
email and it saddens me to do so. We always sent each other packages
on holidays and she even sent me the last season of Allo-Allo -which
she did when ever she received a new season on DVD (I received it on
Tuesday so I wasn't even able to tell her that I received it nor tell
her thank you). Her mother said she was a huge fan of Shakespeare and
that she had ordered Linda a bust of the author. It was waiting for
Linda's mother at the door the day that Linda passed away. Linda
never knew it was coming.
So please keep Linda's mother in your prayers she really needs them
now. Maybe even drop her a card.
Take care everyone,
Kristin
Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:21 am
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Linda Miller aka pvt meek - PLEASE READ!
Hello everyone, I don't know even where to start. I received a call this morning from Linda Miller's mother. It's not easy for me to write this message for I... Kristin
fedoroved
1:51 pm
Re: Linda Miller aka pvt meek - PLEASE READ!
Dear Kristin - I am stunned to read this about Linda's passing. I will write more when I have had time to ponder the unwelcome news. My computer has crashed in... Johanne Tournier
jltournier1
2:07 pm
Re: Linda Miller aka pvt meek - PLEASE READ!
Jo- I have already posted it to the Monster Bash website so no need to do it twice. I have also emailed Ray Bradbury who was a close friend of Linda's as well.... Kristin
fedoroved
2:46 pm
Re: Linda Miller aka pvt meek - PLEASE READ!
God I don't know what to say!!! INCREDIBLY sad news!!! I thought she's been unusually quiet lately, but then we've all been busy. She was so thoughtful, always... Jack
alamo221
3:04 pm
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This is devastating. I never met her in person, but had corresponded and exchanged stuff a couple of times as she grew up in this general area. I was so much hoping to meet her in person at a Bash or such. She was such a vital part of the UMA in so many ways. She will be missed, but absolutely remembered as well. Goodbye sweet Meek.
Rob
Oh no! That's awful. She was always so fun to have around the UMA. I met her 3 years ago at the Bash, and in person, she was just as she is online. I'm stunned beyond words. This is so sad...
Oh my dear God, that's why I didn't hear back from my private email.
What a loss. A talented lady. A kind heart. A true friend.
Rest her soul, and comfort her loved ones, Lord. And thank you for her.
-Craig Wichman
Oh geez Linda, why the good ones so young...you are too big there's no way you are gone. Are you writing limericks in heaven Linda? Au revoir Meek.
pk
God, I just can't believe this. She was such a witty, clever, kind person. She sent my daughter Mia a wonderful care package when she was in the hospital. Anyone that could put a smile on the face of a kid that's suffering is a special person, and she did just that. See for yourself:
(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd71/actionplus/3day.jpg)
That was Meek; be it a chuckle or grin from one of her posts, or an act of kindness for a child...she brought happiness to many of us. Meek, we are all richer for having known you. God bless you.
I'm very, very sorry to hear this. I did not know Meek really at all but from what I am gathering she was a most special person. My condolences to everyone who knew her.
How sad. I am so very sorry to here this.
Linda was a kind, funny, talented and generous person. She always sent me a card on holidays, something that I will really miss.
Rest In Peace Meek... :'(
I am shocked to hear this. I just went back and read some of Meeks last posts and she seemed so excited about the upcoming Halloween season. My God, every day is a gift. My prayers will be with her family tonight.
Oh my dear Lord.
I am devastated. She was beyond kind...so supportive, so encouraging...so wonderful.
I just cannot put my mind around it.
She and I communicated privately often and just recently she was asking if I wanted a Mummy Cookie jar she saw at a market...
Dear God.
I know better than to question the Almighty in these things...and know we can ask why all we want...with no real hope of response.
I know things will feel so different here now. I won't see T.E. Lawrence's face anymore without thinking of her...and indeed Bradbury himself (an influence on this GREAT human and kind librarian) probably felt a tremor for some reason this morning.
I know I am feeling tremors now.
Bunches of Hunches...
Terry, through tears I ask that a memorial Hunchback wing of the UMA be opened in her honor. I'm earnest in my request and I will do my part to contribute whatever I can.
That's small...it's insubstantial...we've lost a dear friend.
Oh God. Take good care of Linda Miller...make sure she has mountains of books to read and the smell of bound words to comfort her. Surround her with the magic of language, feed her with puns and she'll respond with a sharp acid tongue.
Most certainly, I see her with T.E. now. Faced with a man she admired for years...and identified with. It is a meeting I know she looked forward to but one that we all imagined would be put off for a LONG LONG time.
Sleep well dear Linda...and from the bottom of my heart...thank you. I feel blessed to have been a friend, albiet one that has never actually met you. Mores the pity and my loss is doubled because of it.
Goodbye Meek. Goodbye.
My condolences and prayers go out to her family, and to her extended family here at UMA.
Did not know about her until this moment and I wish I had. Looked over her posts and she obviously was my kind of people. Many condolences to her family and friends.
:'(
She was a very nice person. I liked her a lot. Heaven has been very blessed today. HHW
I had never met Linda in person,but like so many of you, I felt through our posts that I did know
her.I was so shocked and saddened to read of her passing.
All of us at the UMA have lost a dear sister and I would like to echo the Professor's sentiments
regarding some type of memorial for our Meek.
May God Rest Her Soul
This is very sad news. I'm still very new to this board and learning more about everyone with each visit. Linda is one of the many people whose posts I really enjoy reading, and her artwork... my God, she's a talented, special soul. Rest in peace, Meek.
Linda was sweet, but also wry and self-effacing. She was part of the soul and character of the UMA. She outlived her idol, T.E. Lawrence, by only one year. I can't explain why, but I think she had a feeling something like that would happen. She seemed like a traveler whose luggage was not packed for a long stay.
She was a gifted artist, as anyone who has seen her watercolor portraits can attest. For holidays, she sent her friends homemade cards called "Ghastly Greetings." I think the last one I received had Gwynplaine from "The Man who Laughs" on the front.
When the call for help went out to the UMA troops, Sgt. Meek would always be one of the first to respond. Andy has posted about how she sent a care package to his daughter in the hospital. I know that she also sent a box of toys to John Mitchell in Kosovo, so he could pass them out to the kids.
I will miss her mix of warmth and dry wit, a hard combination to pull off.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/234293463_61e4a843e7_o.jpg)
I'm stunned beyond words. My mouth agape reading all this. She was such an integral, important part of our UMA family. Rest in peace, Meek. You will be sorely missed.
We shared a love of all things Zacherley. She even sent me a duplicate of of one of her wonderful Valentine cards that she sent Zach. She simply was one of those people who made the world a better place just by being here. I only wish i could tell her this in person and hope she can somehow pick up on this outpouring of affection directed at her tonight and all the days that follow. We love you Linda.
I am saddened to hear of Linda's death, now and again we would cross paths on the Shout and Limerick threads much to my enjoyment. She will be missed, if at anytime I see a mysterious post full of wit and charm I'll know who it is because of the laughter in Paradise. Rest in Peace my dear friend, parting is such sweet sorrow.
Last year, I commissioned my friend Meek to do a painting of Ernest Thesiger for me. She did the picture, and found exactly the right frame for it--she was proud of having found just the right "crypt gate" frame! When I sent her this photo recently, she was very happy with it and asked if I'd post it some day. Here it is:
(http://www.geocities.com/marcusfayne/bridegroup.jpg)
Meek and I met only once--at a Bash con three years ago, which would have been the same one Bobby mentioned earlier--and we spoke only briefly at the time. I kept hoping she would be able to attend more cons, but it wasn't possible--travel, money, time were never quite right. So we corresponded instead after the con, and more and more during this past year. She was a wonderful, sharp scholar, widely knowledgeable about history and literature. Her great delight in punning was always evident in her UMA posts--she loved a double-entendre wisecrack, any kind of word-play. She was a wonderful wordsmith and used the English language--and sometimes German!--with great facility--and more importantly, with wit. Meek could crack wise with the best of 'em, but she had great heart and warmth, too, and that came through in her writings.
Linda had recently been reading a series of books she'd discovered--THURSDAY NEXT is the name of the series, by one Jasper Fforde--and she had read the first two with great delight. She had just a week or so ago got hold of the third volume, THE WELL OF LOST PLOTS. The series has to do with literary characters (and also ones original with Fforde) involved in a murder case, time travel, sort of a Monty Python wacky world, and some of the characters have wonderful punning names--she named off for me some of the characters: Chalk & Cheese, Dedmen & Walken--and another character named Harris Tweed. She took such delight in reeling off all these silly names in her emails, giving me the funniest ones as she made her way through each book in the series.
It wasn't many weeks back that Meek had got another little china Hunchback--this one from a dealer in Australia, via Ebay--for her collection, and she was planning on making a display in October at the library where she worked--she was going to call it "Bunches of Hunches". Her latest display had been devoted to her friend and idol, Ray Bradbury, and she had asked me to work on a Halloween surprise for him with her. Maybe I'll do it alone for him now, in her memory.
I was always tickled with her take on even the most ordinary things. A couple weeks back, she was talking about how she was getting ready to re-putty the glass in the front windows of the house where he and her mother lived. She wrote: "I'm quite handy with the putty knife--it combines the skills of working with clay and frosting a cake." Only Meek would think of this spin on so prosaic a job of work as puttying windows. She talked about doing the job supervised by her beloved cat, Ralphie Scissorpaws, who watched her through the windows from the inside of the house. She never finished her job. In her last email to me, this past Sunday, she wrote: " Raining today, so it looks like I won't get to finish my putty job on my front windows---like Scarlett O'Hara said 'Oh well, after all---tomorrow is another day.'" Rest well, Linda. You have all the tomorrows forever now.
I never even got to know her, but I can see she was a VERY, VERY SPECIAL PERSON who was DEEPLY LOVED. My heart goes out to her mother and all those who did have the honor of knowing her.
BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG Corporal **** Posts: 378
Re: WARNING:Irish Limericks Ahead
« Reply #306 on: Fri, Sept.19th, AD 2008; 2:35:29 AM »
Dear UMA FANG-MILY,
... As CHARLES DICKENS, once, writ, unto his son: "This life is half made up, of Partings."
I'll post, as I have the time, about our staggering loss, of LINDA; yet, Champion, of our Limerick thread, as she was, I couldn't reserve any subject, save her, for this next offering, as follows:
````````````````````````````````````````````
Comrades, True, cannot be lost; they dwell, BEYOND,
Subtler, than ever, they continue, to respond,
Without our Beloved MEEK,
Our House doth seem, a little bleak,
But, Dear LINDA, BE, at PEACE, Thine Earthly battle, WON.
`````````````````````````````````````````````
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMOTHY FRANCIS MEYER HERRON, BY GOD'S GRACE
Pages: 1 ... 19 20 [21]
This is so very sad. Linda was a huge part of our lives here and she will be missed terribly. It's impossible to put into words what she brought to us.
Very sad news. I had never met her in person, or had many online exchanges, but had it not been for her TCM program reminders I would have missed seeing many classic films. A thread I made sure I checked daily.
If no one else plans to, I will try to keep that thread going.
I followed her TCM threads too. I never knew her but things like that just make life easier. Such sad news. I agree with Prof. Griffin, a special UMA wing should be opened to honor her and her wonderful art. She will be missed!
I am too overwhelmed at the moment to even post. Just received the news this morning. Can't stop crying.
Like many others, I'm shocked beyond words! What a terrible thing to wake up to!
I first heard of Linda (probably 2001?) when the website "Box of Monsters" started posting examples of her great watercolors. I can't believe it was only three years ago that she joined the UMA. It seems like she has been a member forever. She is certainly one of our most beloved members!
It's always so sad when such a talented and nice person dies so young and worse when it's someone you know (if only from posts on a chat board). R.I.P., Linda. We are all going to miss you, a lot!
No! No! No!
I'm too stunned to talk. I can't believe this. A most generous, talented friend. I am so glad I knew her and got to spend time with her at a Monster Bash and by phone.
Oh, God, I'm gonna miss her.
I am so sad.
Love and prayers to her family and friends here and else.
I would like to offer my condolences and prayers for her family, friends and all of her online comrads.
And I'd just like to add that aLthough I can't say that I knew her, as a longtime mostly lurker here on this board I do sometimes feel like I know a lot of you, and I'd just like to say that Meek's posts were always among the most thoughtful and entertaining. And it really couldn't be clearer that she was a really great person.
And I have more than once directed friends of mine to her fantastic artwork posted here. It really is magnificent, impressive work.
Again, sincere condolences and prayers go out to you all.
Like many here, I never met Linda in person. I always enjoyed her posts, both here and at the old UMA Yahoo Group. She had a real grasp of puns and word play that I admired, and it was always a source of joy to see what obscure references she'd slip into her latest posts at the Word Association thread. Hopefully, Colin, Bela, Ernest, and Dwight were waiting to welcome her when she reached the other side. Linda, you'll be missed.
George
I kept coming back & forth last night from the bedroom where the computer is to my wife in the living room, sharing the shock, then sharing the grief, then sharing everyone's sharing.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Linda in the flesh; but we emailed, snailmailed, carded, & boxed each other often. Once, when I asked what I could send her for a Shakespeare book she had sent me unbidden, she had me track down some weighty German blackbread she couldn't find out in the hinterlands! I still have a Dickens video that she lent me, awaiting viewing...
I loved talking theater with her, and seeing new examples of her wonderful art; and she was so kind about my own creative endeavors.
I thought our relationship was unique, and I thought Linda was wonderful; but you know what? Finding out now just how un-unique it was, makes her even MORE wonderful.
She was a Giver.
That is, simply, the best there is; and this world is always woefully short of same. But never forget - the Meek will inherit the Earth.
With a full heart,
-Craig
Like all of you, I'm still in a bit of shock this morning. I first read of Linda's passing on the CHFB, where she is being remembered as well. Here is what I posted there:
Just recently, Linda sent me a print of one of her pieces that I had remarked on. I will treasure this now more than ever. She was a truly kind spirit and a remarkable talent. What she could do with watercolor was downright amazing. I told her that my favorite was that Ernest Thesiger, not even knowing it had been commissioned by friend Robert. And she was too humble to boast of it.
The flag within my heart will stand at half-mast throughout the weekend.
Frank
I can't believ this. I'm shocked. I never met Linda in person but she sent me her beautiful cards every so often and her sense of humor on the boards never failed to make me smile. My deepest condolences to her mother and brother. This world has lost a truly talented and witty individual.
- Danielle
I did not know Linda but my heart and prayers go out to her family and friends that knew her well.
She will be missed here to. A great talent and an amazing lady.
Rest in peace Meek.
Tom
Wow, terrible news. Reading all that's been written makes me regret that I didn't get to know her better in the time I've been here. My condolences to all her family and friends.
Very sad news. Rest in peace, Meek.
This is very sad news.I didn't know her other then here on the board.I'll really miss all her talents
and friendlyness.
May she rest in peace.
Today is the only day ever that I did not look forward to visiting the UMA. Since I read the news last night I knew there would be an outpouring of sympathy and emotion over Linda's passing and I knew that I'd be in tears reading this thread.
Most of you who have posted have said that you didn't know Linda, but my friends, you did know her. Linda was one of those people whose personality and wit shone through in every post. From her TCM movie descriptions to her signature sign-offs it was all pure Linda. If you've read and enjoyed her posts, if you've seen and admired her artwork, if you've been touched in some way by her words or her actions then you knew Linda. You knew Meek.
This is a terrible loss not only for her family, but for ours as well and for the greater community as well because when someone of such great kindness, generosity, wit and intelligence is lost it diminishes humanity. Linda may be physically lost to us, but her spirt will live in our hearts. I don't think she would want us to be sad for very long, but for us to go on and enjoy our lives and the things we love and keep her memory alive.
Tonight raise a glass to Linda's memory.
This is such sad news my prayers go out to her family. I did not know her either, but Iam proud to say that the day I discoverd her art made me very happy. I was so excited that I printed out four of my favorites went and had them framed and they have hung on my living room wall ever since. She will be missed.
This is truly sad, I am sitting here at work with tears in my eyes, not knowing what to say :'(
Brian
As I was going through the post I saw the announcement about Meek. Like most of you, we never met face to face but I got to know her through her post. Such a talent she had. A sad day indeed. My deepest condolences to her family. I know none of us here will ever forget her.
I'm terribly sorry to read this sad news. Like Pogo said, "Life ain't nohow permanent"-- but it's a shame it's so short for too many people. I never met Meek beyond our electronic clubhouse here, but always enjoyed her art posts, and am sorry I'll never have the opportunity to tell her so in person. My condolences to her friends and family.
You probably know about Meek's love for little hunchback figures she found on Ebay. The hunchback, in most cultures, was considered "good luck", and many different statuettes were made over the last 200 years (at least that long!). Meek loved tracking down examples and buying the occasional one she could afford. We had had fun in recent weeks looking at photos of her beloved hunchback figurines---she had just got the one on the right from a seller in Australia and was so tickled with him as a perfect companion for the other Capodimonte porcelain chap shown here beside him.
(http://www.geocities.com/marcusfayne/hunches.jpg)
Thought you might like to see what had gladdened Linda's heart of late--she took great pleasure in so many things in this world.
I just saw this post after a few days hiatus from the computer and I'm still shocked beyond words.
I had the privilege to meet her in person a few years ago on Chiller through our mutal friend Fritz Frising.
Linda's terrific watercolors were there on display and I admired them ever since. Through the UMA we got
back in contact and she was always helping out when I was looking for certain images, like Wich2 said, she
really was a Giver. I will miss her and I hope she is now chatting with Peter, Dwight and Bela.
My condulences to their family......Rest in peace Meek...
Rainer E.
My power has been off since Sunday, and I am just now catching up on things, including the UMA. I just read this terrible news about Linda. She and I had been cyber pals for a little while. She remembered my birthday, and I am one of the privileged folks to own one of her originals. She graciously allowed me to post some of her wonderful work on my web site, and if you haven't seen her craft, she was a very talented artist:
http://home.att.net/~illoman/Linda.html (http://home.att.net/~illoman/Linda.html)
She had a wonderful, wicked sense of humor, and loved a bad pun. May God give her soul rest.
Mike
This has to be the most difficult post I've ever had to type. I left for work this morning thinking of Meek, and I came home thinking of her. Life just isn't fair I tell you. Linda was such an integral part of this group's character that it's almost impossible for me to accept the fact that she won't be posting here anymore. There's a hole right in the gut of this forum. A void that can't be replaced.
Linda impressed me, intrigued me, enlightened me, and even inspired me. She was setting examples all of the time without even knowing it. Small and kind gestures, that many times went unseen, were common fare for Linda. I can't tell you how many times she would send me a "surprise package" right out of the blue. And then there were the greeting cards too. She would always include a note telling me to do whatever I wished with these surprise gifts. One time it was a set of Imperial jigglers. Another time it was various magazines. Of course I cherished them all. Back in March of 2008, I received another one of these Meek mystery packages. This one included two Dick Tracy dolls, a Cracked Monsters magazine, and a crisp $50.00 bill. Inside was a note telling me that the fifty dollar bill was her contribution to the Toy Tour Display. That was Linda - a giver of all givers.
Linda Miller has passed away, and a slice of this group has too. We'll survive this, but we'll never be quite the same without our Meek.
I think you just spoke for all of us ,General
Here's a link to a gallery of Linda's art.
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;cat=52
Thanks,Mike.She did some beautiful work.
Every heart has in it only so many beats. And often, sadly, the heart that beats greatest and most intensely, does so the shortest.
Meek was kind and generous and talented and truly unique. All are better for having known her.
Matt Jaycox
Quote from: avenger on September 19, 2008, 06:24:34 PM
She did some beautiful work.
When I first saw some examples, I thought I was looking at photographs!
Such sad news.....
I really did not know her, but always enjoyed getting the TCM updates, which broadened my love for classic horror and other genres.
You can tell from the people at UMA that you will be missed greatly.
-k
My Lord Iam just seeing this and my mouth also dropped open.I also never met Meek but It was like I had known her for so long.My heartfelt condolences go out to her family.She will surely be missed.Rest well Meek.
Only had the pleasure of Meek's company through this, Terry's Monster Army Camp, and what a talented, intelligent lady she was. Reading through all the heartfelt posts, I wish I had corresponded with her directly. My loss. Our loss. God rest your beautiful, monstrous soul, Linda "Meek" Miller.
It is during the sad, senseless moments like this that I start pondering why I bother to collect all this stuff. It gives me great pleasure, of than I am certain, but...I can't take it with me, and perhaps it might be better to spend the monster money (and time) doing things and going places and building memories with my loved ones instead of building a vast pile of ponderous plastic and paper for them to sort through to sell in a garage sale one day.
Talk me down, fellow troops.....
!!!!!!!!!!!! Punch to the gut! I just read this now and can't put thought or words together to voice my sorrow and disbelief!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g75/GaryDMacabre/feb06-uma--.jpg)
Quote from: GAKENSTEIN on September 19, 2008, 08:50:29 PM
It is during the sad, senseless moments like this that I start pondering why I bother to collect all this stuff. It gives me great pleasure, of than I am certain, but...I can't take it with me, and perhaps it might be better to spend the monster money (and time) doing things and going places and building memories with my loved ones instead of building a vast pile of ponderous plastic and paper for them to sort through to sell in a garage sale one day.
Talk me down, fellow troops.....
Well, it's the "stuff" that drew us all together in the first place. In the end, yeah the people are infinitely more valuable than any of the "stuff". Don't get me wrong, I love my toys, but I love the folks more!
Mike
Mike, keeping that balance is the secret...
Gary, thanks for the reminder of that wonderful OotMah series by you from The Grand Old Days.
Linda was quite an Anglophile, at least in the area of Letters, and loved Dickens. This from the CAROL just came to me, when I read your words, Terry:
Bob Crachit surrounded by his family, after the death of Tiny Tim -
"But however and when ever we part from one another, I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim -- shall we -- or this first parting that there was among us."
"Never, father!" cried they all.
"And I know," said Bob, "I know, my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it."
"No, never, father!" they all cried again.
-Craig
Quote from: GAKENSTEIN on September 19, 2008, 08:50:29 PM
Only had the pleasure of Meek's company through this, Terry's Monster Army Camp, and what a talented, intelligent lady she was. Reading through all the heartfelt posts, I wish I had corresponded with her directly. My loss. Our loss. God rest your beautiful, monstrous soul, Linda "Meek" Miller.
It is during the sad, senseless moments like this that I start pondering why I bother to collect all this stuff. It gives me great pleasure, of than I am certain, but...I can't take it with me, and perhaps it might be better to spend the monster money (and time) doing things and going places and building memories with my loved ones instead of building a vast pile of ponderous plastic and paper for them to sort through to sell in a garage sale one day.
Talk me down, fellow troops.....
I heard someone say once (it seems so long ago now) that these things we collect won't cure cancer or stop wars, they are just things (toys) after all.....but these things, the people that brought them forth.....the movies, the talented artists---THOSE are the ties that binds us. And "we"---the collectors, the movie fan...We keep and nourish friendships through that tie. We celebrate victories and triumphs; and are saddened through defeats and the realization of our mortality.
It doesn't matter where you stand in the army here, Meek's passing will touch us all....and for a very long time.
Every soldier here in this army wears a badge called an avatar. I will sure miss seeing this one. It always brought with it charm, wit, and crafty intellect to the forum.
(http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/3863/sheadxa2.jpg)
Well said, Servo. Were it not for my heaps and shelves full of inanimate movie memorabilia, I would not have entered these strange doors--now so beloved and familiar to me--and neither would Meek--nor would any of us have come in here. Thanks be, we DID! And we found one another, and out of that grew friendships we'll treasure all our days. The "things" are only things, yes--but they led us to meet each other. And that is a wonderful thing indeed!
I can only say that I should've known this lady better.
About those getting philosophical about the "meaning of it all" and if hobbies and collecting are really worth it. Remember, you wouldn't know of Linda at all were it not for the common bond of this hobby.
Linda cared for it, it meant a lot to her and would not want her kindred spirits to use her death as a repudiation of it.
This hobby and fellowship greatly contributed to the quality of the life Linda had.
As long as we all keep it in balance, like anything else, we shouldn't deny ourselves simple pleasures like this because life is short. Of course, this doesn't mean we shut out other things that make life worth living.
Bottom line, Linda loved this and wants this to continue with as many like minded people as possible.
QuoteIt gives me great pleasure, of than I am certain, but...I can't take it with me, and perhaps it might be better to spend the monster money (and time) doing things and going places and building memories with my loved ones instead
If your loved ones are like my loved ones, they want me to have this pleasure and I them. We get greater pleasure from seeing our loved ones happy as do those who love you.
I have already posted once about Linda, but as I read this outpouring I feel the immense power of this love for a fellow member that some of us have never even met. If that isn't a higher power what is...? I met Meek at 2006 Bash and we stood and each made sarcastic wisecracks at the expense of some poor monster toy. That was all. Then she sent me cards she created, I sent her a goofy little Hunchback in greenware for her to paint. She let me know that she did paint him and he was sitting by her monitor, and she was going to send me a pic someday. I'd love like anything to get him back to cherish in her memory. I hope in life Linda felt even fraction of the affection that's so obvious here on this cold chunk of the world wide web. I hope even now she feels those strands humming in tune with the positive energy she generated - I think we all feel that. I'm so proud of this Universal Monster Army and to be part of it. Terry ya done good.
What a presence an absence can be.
Meek - nice name for someone who looms even larger in death than in life! Meek indeed - you are a star. Good job Linda! You aced this portion.
With gratitude and joy at having known you,
pk
Quote from: GAKENSTEIN on September 19, 2008, 08:50:29 PM
It is during the sad, senseless moments like this that I start pondering why I bother to collect all this stuff. It gives me great pleasure, of than I am certain, but...I can't take it with me, and perhaps it might be better to spend the monster money (and time) doing things and going places and building memories with my loved ones instead of building a vast pile of ponderous plastic and paper for them to sort through to sell in a garage sale one day.
I'd be a liar if I said I've never asked myself that very same question. But then I remind myself that if it weren't for these vast piles of ponderous plastic, I would have never met you Gary back in 1993. And the long, long, list of friendships that were to follow. All of you guys are like family to me. And when you lose some one like Meek, it hurts real bad. I know it sounds corny, but I cherish all of you. In some ways more than my own family. It all comes back to where we choose to place our priorities. Owning a Frankenstein Head Speaker means absolutely nothing to me if I can't share it with someone else who happens to share my strange obsession of such junk. The toys for me are simply vehicles to a more cherished collectible - fellowship. I was just talking with Richard Olson the other day (before the sad news of Meek's passing) and he happened to mention that we're all just caretakers of this stuff until it's time for us to pass it on to somebody else. His words are still resonating with me this evening. It's so true.
The toys, the movies, the actors and actresses are what brought us here together. It's the fellowship and blossoming friendships that have been forged from 'ponderous plastic' that makes those piles of junk valid. I say keep collecting, but enjoy in moderation.
Well said,General.I only joined the UMA in May of this year through a chance encounter on
the web with our own Raymond Castile who suggested I would enjoy a group called
the Universal Monster Army.Boy,was he right ! I have never met any of you in person,but
through posts and emails with various members,I have come to know you and regard you
all as friends.That includes the very talented and witty lady we knew as Meek.
Someone once said "Each Man's Death Diminishes Me".I feel that we have all been diminished
today.
I did not have the pleasure to meet Linda, but I always enjoyed her TCM cable reminders and looked forward to each one that she posted. I also appreciated the sense of humor that shown through each of her posts. So, in that spirit, and in the hopes that this offering will comfort all assembled in this forum, here is a favorite Irish poem that has helped me. Good bye Linda and Godspeed.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there , I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints of snow...
I am the sunlight on ripened grain...
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you waken in the morning hush,I am the swift uplifting rush
of gentle birds in circling flight...
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there... I did not die.
Quote from: Wich2 on September 19, 2008, 09:26:18 PM
Mike, keeping that balance is the secret...
Gary, thanks for the reminder of that wonderful OotMah series by you from The Grand Old Days.
Linda was quite an Anglophile, at least in the area of Letters, and loved Dickens. This from the CAROL just came to me, when I read your words, Terry:
Bob Crachit surrounded by his family, after the death of Tiny Tim -
"But however and when ever we part from one another, I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim -- shall we -- or this first parting that there was among us."
"Never, father!" cried they all.
"And I know," said Bob, "I know, my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it."
"No, never, father!" they all cried again.
-Craig
While not intended as a reminder of a series of images, more to the point is was me restating my appreciation when words completely fail me. Famous UMA was intended as a means of showing appreciation and thanks for the individual's efforts as MC, and a reminder or a record of what went on in our little world during that period of time. One month is hardly enough to cover all the little things Linda did in the UMA to make life a little more enjoyable, but it was her month. Be it as it may, every month could be her month, she gave so much of herself. I will surely miss her presence.
Like many here have said, I never met Meek in person. But I feel like I know her from reading her posts. She will be missed.
Rest in peace Linda.
I'm having a really hard time focusing on any of the other threads at the moment. I keep coming back to this one. How unfair is it that with all the truly despicable entities on this planet that such a positive, generous and creative light should be so randomly snuffed out? Makes no sense.
QuoteIt is during the sad, senseless moments like this that I start pondering why I bother to collect all this stuff. It gives me great pleasure, of than I am certain, but...I can't take it with me, and perhaps it might be better to spend the monster money (and time) doing things and going places and building memories with my loved ones instead of building a vast pile of ponderous plastic and paper for them to sort through to sell in a garage sale one day.
This quote brings up a question that obviuosly many of us have toiled with. Linda's passing makes us all wonder, "what will become of all that I have sought after, and was it worth it in the end?"
The answer is yes. It was well worth it.
And so, Linda's passing has prompted me to post something I've wanted to post for some time. But I will start a new thread, so as not to distract from the imporantance of our rememberences here.
It will be called "Collectabilism," and will be a portion of what David J. Schow said to me not long ago.
In the meantime, I have posted a brief notice about Linda on my monster art blog:
http://sketchythings.blogspot.com/
Bless Linda, and bless us all.
This is shocking news. I'm at a loss for words. I never met Linda; wish I could have somehow. The years I lived in Mankato Minnesota -and Linda so close by in Spirit Lake, Iowa. If I had only known of her then. A visit to her library would have been wonderful! Sadly, this was before the UMA and I only got to know of Linda through the UMA. We never corresponded so I have little to share in personal memmories of her. My great loss. But, through her postings at the UMA, I think I do know her well and I 'm going to miss her very, very much. Terribly, in fact.
I have only one email from Linda. I kept it.
It concerns a project I made (Max' s fabulous idea!) to bring Christmas cheer to Robert Taylor. A monster-type Christmas card. Bela, Boris, Lon, Vincent, etc. ~ALL dressed in Santa suits~ and members of the UMA in the toy bag. Any personal thoughts could be added to the card.
"Meek" ,of course, wanted to be part of this and sent this email note, It's from December 2nd, 2006. It's the only email I have from her and I share with you all here.
*************************************************
Richard: I'm responding to Max's request for
contributions to Robert Taylor's Christmas card
spectacular. First off, I really don't like to be
photographed, never have, but I do have a rather silly
photo taken a few years ago at Halloween when I was
attired as "Cardinal Biggles" from Monty Python's
Spanish Inquisition sketch---I think this would be
much funnier since-----NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH
INQUISITION!---especially at Christmas.
Now, as for a Christmas memory:
In 1969 my entire family flew to Germany to spend
Christmas and New Year's with my Mum's side of the
family. When we were half-way across the Atlantic
Ocean my Mum turned to my Father and asked "Did I turn
off the stove?" to which my Father replied "Don't
worry, if you didn't I'm sure the fire engines will
take care of it."
We landed in Bremen and my Opa & Oma picked us up
in their VW Beatle--we were packed in like sardines
for the ride to their house---I think the luggage was
tied to the top of the Bug.
Various and assorted relatives came by to visit,
Aunts, Uncles, Cousins by the droves and then those
who weren't really blood relatives but still called
"Aunt & Uncle"(its a German thing & confusing). Onkle
Paul had been on a U-Boat that lurked off the coast of
New England as part of "Operation Drumbeat" and my Opa
would evade all questions about what he did during the
war which was aircraft design for Focke-Wulf &
Messerschmidt.
Being accident prone I fell a lot, with the most
memorable fall happening directly in front of a street
car---never wear shoes with plastic soles while
attempting to run on cobblestones---fell flat on my
arse. There were many social blunders as well with
most being shrugged off due to the fact that I was
part American--the worst of these blunders was when I
wanted to tell my Uncle Wolfgang that I thought he was
funny but used the wrong word(thanks to a child's book
of easy German phrases from the school library) and
instead infered that he was queer.
Oh, I could go on for pages---but shan't.
Despite the many mishaps, Christmas in Germany in
1969 was(and still is)the best Christmas I've ever
had.
"Meek"
****************************************
For some reason, the song "You Don't Know What You've Got (Until You Lose It)" won't leave my mind.
Rest in piece, Linda "meek". You are loved.
Richard
It sure would be nice if Linda's "Bunches of Hunches" library exhibit could go on as planned.
It would also be nice to include it in the UMA display next year. We could do it like the Ben Chapman tribute we did this year, or we could put it in a separate fixture.
Is anyone in a position to coordinate this?
Quote from: raycastile on September 20, 2008, 01:59:26 AM
It sure would be nice if Linda's "Bunches of Hunches" library exhibit could go on as planned.
It would also be nice to include it in the UMA display next year. We could do it like the Ben Chapman tribute we did this year, or we could put it in a separate fixture.
Is anyone in a position to coordinate this?
That's a great idea Raymond. I would really like to see this come to fruition. One way or another, "Bunches of Hunches" needs to be part of next year's display. A perfect "UMA way" to honor Meek.
So are we talking about pooling UMA members' Hunchback items for a display, or somehow using Linda's Hunchback collection?
George
I'd like to donate my Don Post "Hunchback" mask to the "Bunches of Hunches" project in honor of Linda's memory. I need a shipping address.
Such devestating news upon my arrival back here.
This was a good person, an honorable person. i don't know her faith or her believes, but i know she lived in the spirit of God's Love.
Generous, funny, smart.
May God make the remainder of her time in ths universe glorious and blessed.
Quote from: ramsey37 on September 20, 2008, 09:47:56 AM
So are we talking about pooling UMA members' Hunchback items for a display, or somehow using Linda's Hunchback collection?
George
No, not pooling our Hunchbacks. I'm talking about using Linda's Hunchback collection and presenting them as she would have intended. I wouldn't be interested in doing it otherwise.
Fritz Frising set up a nice tribute page to our late friend and her art....
http://www.headlesshearseman.com/miller.html
Rainer E.
"I'm talking about using Linda's Hunchback collection and presenting them as she would have intended."
With, maybe, a plain blue Marx Frankie on the side? She always spoke of that as one of the companions of her childhood.
You'd swear some of those were photographs. She had a great talent. She didn't just nail the realism of her subjects, but also the underlying drama. I especially like her Lugosi portraits.
Quote from: Nightmares in plastic on September 20, 2008, 04:20:29 PM
Fritz Frising set up a nice tribute page to our late friend and her art....
http://www.headlesshearseman.com/miller.html
Rainer E.
Quote from: raycastile on September 20, 2008, 04:48:58 PM
You'd swear some of those were photographs. She had a great talent.
I was thinking the exact same thing today as I browsed through Meek's Memorial Gallery. In case some of you aren't aware of it, Mike Scott has created a Linda Miller Memorial art gallery here at UMA. It's part of our forum gallery (of which you need to be a member of the group to view).
Members click here - http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?action=gallery;cat=52
I haven't been able to make the rounds here as much as I should.
When I finally come by, I am confronted with this terrible news.
Linda was someone I would have liked to have met eventually in person.
She was a kind soul with a love for classic horror. She was a very talented artist. Her watercolors are amazing. When I see them online I still swear they are sketches!
A fitting tribute would be for each of us to make some kind of donation to the library whre she worked for so long. A classic horror book, vhs, dvd, cd or something along those lines.
Stunned and saddened.
Gillgrappler :(
Her eye for detail was so incredible, and the various tones for shading perfection. I would have to agree, like looking at photographs. I've seen some of these, but most I haven't. Thanks for posting these.
I signed up here just now so I could pass on my condolences, having received the terse e-mail that I guess went out to everyone in Linda's address book this morning (Saturday). I'm shocked. I did the late night radio program "Night Camp" on the CBC from 1985 to 1990 and Linda was one of my most faithful listeners, writing regularly, sending amazing artwork (the one she did of Ron Moody after we had him as a guest is still in the collection of my producer John Stinchcombe), and keeping up a correspondence long after the show's demise. Whoever has set up the website showcasing Linda's fabulous drawings..try and get hold of the Pearl CD "Kurt Weill--From Berlin to Broadway" (GEMM CDS 9189). The poster on the left side of the cover isn't the original from 1928, it's Linda's version done in 1990 and her name is on it.
Quote from: David Lennick on September 20, 2008, 11:15:34 PM
The poster on the left side of the cover isn't the original from 1928, it's Linda's version done in 1990 and her name is on it.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61sUotmaA0L._SS500_.jpg)
Quote from: raycastile on September 20, 2008, 12:49:20 PM
No, not pooling our Hunchbacks. I'm talking about using Linda's Hunchback collection and presenting them as she would have intended. I wouldn't be interested in doing it otherwise.
Ah, ok. I agree that would be the way to go, if her family was willing to play along. Speaking of her family, does anyone know what her mother's financial situation is? I know Meek's brother doesn't live near their mother, and I wondered how well she'd be able to look after herself with Linda gone. Perhaps a fundraiser of some sorts to benefit Meek's Mom wouldn't be out of line?
George
My thoughts and condolences go out to her family and friends. It's comforting to know that she has so many caring peers to honor and remember her.
http://www.neckboltpublishing.com
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 20, 2008, 11:34:07 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61sUotmaA0L._SS500_.jpg)
Wow. I have a handful of Pearl lable cds in my classical music collection (not the one shown though). This is quite
another accomplishment of Linda's as these Pearl lable recordings are regarded by a number of us that collect classical historical recordings to be some of the best out there due to their subtle remastering techniques. In short (and I believe you can hear this), Bravo Linda! for this effort and your selection of art being used here.
Here may be a better shot of this for those here to appreciate:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61oLOcXdzRL._SS500_.jpg)
Ashame I did not get to know her better. Would have loved talking classical music with her.
A couple of Meek's favorites: Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622, and the Quintet in A., K.581.
Quote from: typhooforme on September 21, 2008, 10:06:43 AM
A couple of Meek's favorites: Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622
This one's for Meek. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4WrCW0oiws&feature=related
General, You are wonderful. I'm proud to call you FRIEND.
Very classy and sweet thing to do, Terry. I too am honored to be your friend.
I've been out of the loop and when revisiting the UMA, came across this sad news. I never knew Linda personally, but we posted back and forth a few times and she was always good for a laugh. She had a marvelous sense of humor and I'm going to miss her wry responses here at the UMA. Of course, her skills as an artist were simply marvelous. Her style and technique were unbeatable. Each piece showed the love she had for the genre. You couldn't deny it if you tried. I'm glad a gallery is up and running in her honor.
Although she will not be posting anymore, she will always have a presence at the UMA, I'm sure. No matter what capacity you knew Linda Miller in, I think it's safe to say that regardless, we're all richer for having her presence here.
Rest in peace, Linda.
-JoAnna
Quote from: typhooforme on September 21, 2008, 10:06:43 AM
A couple of Meek's favorites: Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622, and the Quintet in A., K.581.
A lady of impeccable taste.
Who, not, only loved MOZART... but, MOE'S Art, on the living canvases, of CURLY & LARRY, as well! N-Yuk, N-Yuk, N-Yuk!
Man. I stay away for a while and come back to this news.
I am so sorry.
My prayers are with Linda's family.
Chuck Jeffers
I really didn't know Linda (aka Meek)... only from her presence here on the UMA. Your current posts certainly do pay her a great tribute and enlighten those of us whe were not fortunate enough to know her. My thought and prayers to her family.
Sincerely,
Rick
Stoner's Monster Mayhem
Sad day to hear the news, will miss her.
My condolences to her family and to this board. She will be missed.
Very sad news. She was a wonderful artists, and I'll miss her TCM updates. Rest in peace.
Yes...
I agree. Bunches of Hunches SHOULD be a part of UMA in some way.
Quote from: ProfGriffin on September 18, 2008, 09:52:30 PM
Terry, through tears I ask that a memorial Hunchback wing of the UMA be opened in her honor. I'm earnest in my request and I will do my part to contribute whatever I can.
Checking back in after being absent for a few days... I'm in total shock. I really don't know what to say. I never met Meek in person, but I felt like I knew her through her many wonderful and witty posts. She will be sorely missed. :'(
Like many here I'm so deeply saddened at the loss of this kind and lovely lady. And like so many here who "knew" Linda she and I never met face to face but have written over many, many years. Her wonderful letters always flashed with humour, common sense and what the Irish call good "craic". Along with an abiding love of the visual arts and classic horror films, Linda was always brimming with some artistic plan or other, forwarding scans of projects and laughing over the mishaps that seem to come with any creative endeavour. Her enthusiastic knowledge encompassed everthing from paintings to poetry, Karloff, Lugosi and Chaney. She was a highly intelligent woman who loved learning. Linda was particularly gifted with an encyclopedic knowledge of medieval English history and relished anything to do with two particular pals of her (whom I trust are taking good care of our "Meek")- Richard III and her great hero T.E. Lawrence. Like all of her friends here I will miss her more than words can say but her family can be so proud of a woman who touched the lives of so many. May God bless and keep her - I'd like her family and friends to know that candles will be lighted specially in St. Faith's Chapel, Westminster Abbey in Linda's memory later this year. Richard III's queen lies nearby. I think she'd like that.
Regards to all.
Tatiana Clayton
That's a beautiful and fitting tribute to her memory.
Well, it's been one week ago today that Meek left us, and I'm slowly beginning to accept the fact that she's not going to be posting here anymore. And that's a huge loss for everyone. But you know what? She's still here in spirit, and if she were here right now, she'd most likely tell all of us to get on with it already. That's easier said than done Meek. We miss you a great deal. But we will begin to heal, and with that, move forward with our daily business here .. whatever that is.
I turned 46 yrs old today. Last night, with family at my side, I blew out a birthday candle in memory of Meek. It was a strange form of closure for me.
We will march onward, because Meek would have it no other way.
Quote from: fmofmpls on September 22, 2008, 07:04:41 PM
Well, it's been one week ago today that Meek left us, and I'm slowly beginning to accept the fact that she's not going to be posting here anymore. And that's a huge loss for everyone. But you know what? She's still here in spirit, and if she were here right now, she'd most likely tell all of us to get on with it already. That's easier said than done Meek. We miss you a great deal. But we will begin to heal, and with that, move forward with our daily business here .. whatever that is.
I turned 46 yrs old today. Last night, with family at my side, I blew out a birthday candle in memory of Meek. It was a strange form of closure for me.
We will march onward, because Meek would have it no other way.
All that needs to be added to that is "Amen!"
Mike
What a shock. I hadn't been viewing or posting here because i've been busy on projects. I couldn't believe it when our friend Harry Hammock called last night and told me.
She was very gifted and a pleasure to correspond with. I marveled at her Shakespeare chair and all the images she posted of her art.
May she meet all the people who have loved and inspired her, and gone on before her.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Chris
I'm so saddened to hear of her passing. Through tears a prayer goes to her family and friends. She was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.
I just received this email this morning, and thought I'd pass it along:
On Saturday, October 18th from 1-3 pm there will be an open house celebration of
the life of Linda Miller at the Spirit Lake Public Library at 702 16th Street in
Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360. Samples of Linda's art work will be on display and
refreshments will be served. We are pleased to honor this 25-year library
employee and friend.
If you have any of Linda's art work you would be willing to share or if you are
interested in helping with refreshments, please contact us at slpublib(*at*)ncn.net.
Thanks.
Linda Bolluyt
Library Director
712-336-2667
Mike
Good job Illoman. I wish I could be there myself, But I guess I'll have to be there in spirit. Best wishes to everyone who attends and celebrates the life of this incredible lady.
I'm just a lurker mostly, but got this message and can not believe the news. There is nothing to say except she will be missed. TV listings, artwork, humor, wit, the gamut, she and her postings ARE the heart of the UMA.
T.M.O.
Linda would be 49 today Happy Birthday Meek we miss you -
Hi everyone!
I know I am rather new to this forum and Linda had been encouraging me to join for such a long time - I can now see why. The outpouring for Linda has been enormous and I have relayed it on to her mother. I am the one who received the ominous call and had to pass the news on. Imagine my shock when I received the call from Mrs. Reed at work. It was the worst news I could have ever received. I am very sorry all of you had to find out via post and would have loved to have phoned all of you who were close to Linda, but that was just not possible. Someone had asked about the financial status of Mrs. Reed, Linda's mother. I believe her mother had the finances for the funeral (well the showing and burial) for she said thank god for credit cards. However from that it is hard to tell. I do know that Linda drove her mother everywhere (as many of you can attest to her e-mails - sitting in the parking lot of the local Wal-Mart while her mother was shopping, etc). So she relied on Linda to take her places. Linda left everything to her mother so I think she will be OK. Friends have said they will take her places she needs to go which is a comfort. I will be calling her tonight and will give you her update.
Linda as you all have stated was a wonderful, giving person with a sarcastic wit unrivaled by anyone (except maybe the Pythons themselves) and one who had a zest for culture, life and people. When I went to London and Russia 3 years ago I bought her some Mr. Bean magnets which she loved and some Russian chocolate. Her reply was "The Russians sure didn't learn to make chocolate from the Germans.." A thought that cracks me up to this day. Recently I was back in Russia and bought her a matryoshka doll of which I hadn't a chance to send her. Now I will send it to Mrs. Reed. I too received mystery packages from Linda. Knowing how much I loved The Beatles, Linda sent me a calendar that I have been using this year along with a book on the Making of Yellow Submarine. This last January she sent me a book by Hallmark for my birthday that was about Monster Movies and she inscribed it "For Kristin, who has a fondness for monsters." She forgot to put the card in the package and sent it separately. The card was "Here's your stool softener lady" with a pharmacist handing a package to a lady (all of the 1950's style). The lady replies "Do you think you could say it any louder? I don't think they heard you in the parking lot!" She said that it was a sign of old age that she forgot to put it in. We always sent each other Halloween packages of which I will continue to do for her mother.
I love your idea of Bunches of Hunches and if you need me to talk to her mother about her collection, please contact me. I would be glad to help.
I am sure Linda is looking down smiling and realizing how much she was adored and loved and as someone said before that this is a better world for having had Linda in it.
A new recruit,
Kristin in Toledo, OH.
Kristin, I'm very glad you joined us here. Linda would have considered your arrival at the UMA door a grand birthday gift, indeed! And thank you VERY much for news of Mrs. Reed--we were worried about her, and this surely makes us feel better.
Welcome, Kristen. And happy birthday, Meek.
Quote from: typhooforme on October 01, 2008, 08:41:34 AM
Kristin, I'm very glad you joined us here. Linda would have considered your arrival at the UMA door a grand birthday gift, indeed! And thank you VERY much for news of Mrs. Reed--we were worried about her, and this surely makes us feel better.
Sargent Sir,
:)You are very welcome. I will keep all of you posted. I am glad I can help and thank you for the kind welcome. I look forward to talking with those I already know (Max, Frank, etc) and those of you who I don't.
Thought I would tell you all something else. Len Kohl and I have been working on a book on Chandu the Magician and Linda was instrumental in the making of this book. She encouraged me to take on a pipe dream I had and even put me in contact with Mr. Ray Bradbury - he agreed to do the Introduction. Just this year she did a wonderful picture for the Introduction and the book should be out by end of year. Len and I have therefore decided to dedicate the book to Linda and will send copies to her mother and to the Spirit Lake Iowa Library of which she loved.
Here is something I thought all of you would enjoy. My last pic I ever took of Linda...
Kristin
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/KEANE4ME/LindaandBillHeinzman-1.jpg)
Photos of Linda are so rare--thanks for sharing that funny Bill Hinzman moment!
The CHANDU book, dedicated to Meek--she would be so intensely pleased. I don't think Lennie is a member here (maybe some day!), but if you will, please tell him--and I speak as an Elder here--that we are very happy that your book will be dedicated to Meek. We've learned so much more about Meek than we ever knew--though I think many of us suspected that she was a very quiet but very intense influence in many people's lives.
You are very welcome again Sir (you know us recruits have to address our higher-ups properly),
I am glad you liked the pic (she took a matching one of me -hahaha). But she was so instrumental in the pulling together of that book it was something we had to do (and wanted to do as well). I just hope it will do her justice. And yes she had that quiet side to her - not to mention she was a great listener as well!
K.
Kristen thanks for all the info and for sharing your connection. That pic must be from Monster Bash 2006 which is where I met Linda in person, I probably met you too if memory serves she introduced me to someone when we met. Sarcasm at it's finest!
paul
Dear Kristin, welcome! Please stay.
"...each life touches so many others..."
Best,
-Craig Wichman
Welcome Kristin. You will find that this is one of the best groups out there.
Thank you for the update on Linda and her mother.
Kristin, I'm a nothern neighbor about 10 minutes from the border. That would be the Ohio border.
Go Rockets!
BK
:D :D :D
Thank you everyone for the kind welcome and you are very welcome for the info on Linda's mother. Linda always talked about a lot of you (Max, etc) and some of you I feel I already know through Linda. Paul we may have met at Bash - I have a bad memory for faces and names yet I am a Russian major- you go figure! I will be at Bash this next year so I will look forward to meeting a lot of you - probably a lot of you I know by face but haven't met. So that will be great and I will look forward to the tribute to Linda. The picture is from Monster Bash 2006! If I did meet you Paul, please introduce yourself again at the next Bash, I will be happy to be reacquainted with you! Just give me a kick and say "Hey! I'm Paul! Another person Linda so graciously introduced you to."
Take care!
Kristin
PS- Yeah, Toledo! Booo Rockets - I'm a Falcon! Hahahaha (Bowling Green State University - soon to be Alumni in December. BGSU is just 10 miles south of Toledo.)
Quote from: JohnBolesGal on October 01, 2008, 12:47:48 PM
Kristin
PS- Yeah, Toledo! Booo Rockets - I'm a Falcon! Hahahaha (Bowling Green State University - soon to be Alumni in December. BGSU is just 10 miles south of Toledo.)
Sorry to hear that. lol,
BK
University of Toledo Alumnus
Kristin,
I would just like to echo the sentiments of my fellow UMA members and thank you
for the update on Linda's Mom.Like many here,I had never met Linda in person but
through her posts and her beautiful artwork I felt as if I had known her for years.
Her wit and wonderful sense of humour will be keenly missed.
I would also like to welcome you to the UMA.It is a great site with a unique group of caring
and spirited individuals.It is said that when one door closes another opens .
I think that with Meek's sad passing and your joining our little family that saying once
again holds true.
Oh no, this is horrible news! And it is news to me just today, as I've been very busy and away from the computer for nearly 3 weeks. I didn't know Linda personally, but like so many others here I looked forward to her contributions. My prayers are with her family and friends. R.I.P. Meek
Just a quick note to say thanks for all you have posted here, Kristen. Glad you came to the UMA. You are among friends,
I don't know if there's any point to this post, but here goes. I was not close to Linda. We had a few pleasant exchanges here on the UMA. It seems like we may have emailed one another about something a long time ago. I enjoyed her posts very much, but didn't seek them out and rarely acknowledged them. I met Linda once, at Monster Bash, and she was very kind and helpful and funny, but we didn't spend a lot of time talking. We were always friendly, and I never had occasion to have anything but very positive thoughts about Linda. In short, she's someone I counted as more of an acquaintance than a good friend. She had many good friends here, and by all rights their sense of loss would be much greater than mine.... but Linda has been either in the back of the front of my mind ever since we got the news. I've been very sad about her loss, and have been avoiding threads about her, and somewhat the UMA itself since she left us. The sense of sadness I've felt has been much greater even than people I knew much better, and for much longer, whom I've lost. And as I sit here typing this, tears are streaming down my face.
Many have mentioned Linda's spirit, here at the UMA. And I think that is what brings this great sense of loss. She was always here, always funny, always witty, and always kind. Linda was rare, unique, and special. She was the heart of the UMA in so many ways. I wish I had told her that. I wish I had realized that. I took Linda for granted, and she never took anyone for granted.
We are an army, and we will go on. We'll grow a new heart, but it will never be the same.
Rest in Peace, sweet Meek.
Wow! I couldn't have said that better - you made me tear up. Was going to call Mrs. Reed last night but class ran too late. Didn't want to call her at around 9:30 pm. So no class tonight and will call her before the debates. If I have anything new to post I will do so tomorrow. And again, thanks for the kind welcomes. This is such a great group! You're all so nice!
K.
:)
Bobby,you put it perfectly. What we were thinking you managed to put into words.
Wonderful, Bobby, truly wonderful. That was a masterful post.
AMEN, BOBBY, AMEN
No better birthday tribute, Bobby. Beautifully said.
Hi everyone!
I spoke with Linda's mother last night. She is doing well and assured me she is well financially. Linda left everything to her mother including 401K so she is good. She wanted me to thank everyone for all of their kind words and condolences. For Linda's showing which was only an hour there were over 150 people that went - makes me happy since Mrs. Reed was the only relative there.
I talked with her about the tribute to Linda at the next Bash by UMA. She said she is eventually going to get rid of Linda's hunchback collection and asked if I wanted 3 of them. So when she feels up to it she is going to send me 3 of them of which I will gladly loan to the tribute. She said Linda considered them good luck but they weren't good luck to Mrs. Reed so she will get rid of them. Linda was buried with a German flag and two pieces of her art. I believe one of them is of Lawrence of Arabia and the other is of the Gargoyle. Mrs. Reed sent me a card from the showing and said the art work is in the program so when I receive it I will post it here.
We also talked about how her mother survived living in Germany during the war and the bombing. How she was almost sent to Dachau and how she was hidden by Hitler himself because of her father's job - he designed aircraft and trained all of the Luftwafa pilots. She said her sister calls her every day from Germany to check on her.
For Linda's birthday she went to the cemetery and took flowers - to her surprise there was a Birthday balloon, flowers and a ceramic angel someone put out there. She also said if I send something she will put it out there for me.
Overall we had a great conversation and I at least had her laughing so that was good - I forget about what though. But she said tell everyone thank you for her neighbor printed out condolences and it was over 30 pages long. She also said that she has been overwhelmed by the amount of cards she received so that is great to hear too. I told her she would be surprised about how many people Linda corresponded with.
I will leave with this - the reason Linda was so "drawn" to Hunchbacks :D
When her mother was married in Germany in the 1950s, she was married in a church that dates back to the 1200s. The lady who rang the church bell had a son who was a hunchback, who also helped with the bell ringing - Linda always felt bad for the fellow. So she liked Hunchbacks for that reason. That was definitely the kind of person was - oh and she had one last box of beanie babies to send to the soldier in Kosovo but her mom doesn't know how to send it. I told her I would help her if she still wants to send it - although who do we send it to? Does anyone know?
Take care all,
K.
Thanks for the wonderful report, Kristin; glad to hear Helga is faring as well as that.
I wish I could make the Library tribute; Max, please give my personal regards to Linda's Mom, if she attends, and to Debbie Fehlman, a co-worker there that I spoke to?
(I did send some things to the Library that I hope Linda, and potential patrons, enjoy.)
Great weekend, all.
-Craig
I'm new here and didn't have the pleasure of interacting with her. After reading the posts she left behind, I regret that I won't have the opportunity.
I searched the internet and saw some of the wonderful paintings that she did and am absolutely amazed at her deft touch with a brush. Incredible, incredible work. It makes the loss that much greater, even to one who never met her.
Dear Kristin. I'm so very glad that you are here. Your joining the ranks here brings comfort to a heavy heart and a very heavy and sad thread. I like the comment that somebody here has already made - 'a new door opens along with a new beginning'. I'd like to thank Meek for her recruiting efforts. It appears she knew exactly what she was doing when she directed you to the UMA. It's just what the doctor ordered. Welcome to the UMA Kristin.
Thanks so much for the warm welcome. Again I can not say that enough.
I just hope I do her proud and can contribute some good thoughts and knowledge to the conversations on here. I try to be upbeat and sometimes I make jokes but nobody gets them (that and I am very clumsy-but that hopefully won't reflect here :P). So I hope I can do some good and bring some smiles - which will be hard because there are a lot of witty and funny people here.
Take care everyone!
Kristin
Quote from: Illoman on September 29, 2008, 09:40:15 AM
On Saturday, October 18th from 1-3 pm there will be an open house celebration of
the life of Linda Miller at the Spirit Lake Public Library at 702 16th Street in
Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360. Samples of Linda's art work will be on display and
refreshments will be served. We are pleased to honor this 25-year library
employee and friend.
I was curious if any of you out there are able to attend this memorial? I tentatively plan on going. It's one week from today. Please let us know if you are planning on attending by saying so at this thread. I would like to be able to share my grief (and tribute) with as many of the UMA as possible.
Terry, I can't make it (I did send something there, that I think Linda might've liked...)
As I asked Max, will you please take my "power of attorney"?
As Dickens says in the CAROL, "...I (will be) standing, in the Spirit, at your elbow..."
Best,
-Craig
Quote from: Wich2 on October 11, 2008, 12:11:57 PM
As I asked Max, will you please take my "power of attorney"?
You know I will Craig. I will be honored to.
I was browsing through the old UMA Yahoo group the other day and was both saddened and delighted to find a folder that Linda Miller had uploaded there. Linda had created a folder named 'Hunches In Bunches' on Mar 18, 2007.
In the coming days, I will be sharing pics taken directly from this folder of hers. There are close to 20 pics of various Hunchbacks taken from Meek's collection. I will let the pictures speak for themselves complete with her brief descriptions of each figurine.
I created the new thread over at Memorable Memorabilia. Click below to visit -
http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=2230.msg35372#msg35372
Jane and I will be there. I hope to see other UMA members. (Will be so glad to see you again, Terry!)
I am glad to hear that some of you are going. I wish I could but I am in Ohio.
I received a package from Linda's mother on Thursday. She sent me 2 of Linda's hunchback's, one of her elves, 5 t-shirts including a t-shirt with her painting of Lawrence of Arabia on it, (the others were of the Ojakobi theatre, one with gargoyles and the other were of Lugosi), the little pewter general (with briefcase) that Linda painted, a few magnets and a Young Indiana Jones book. It was strange receiving a package knowing these had been Linda's effects. It was nice of her mother to consider me - she put in a note saying these were a gift from Linda. Made me sad however.
When I can I will take a picture and post it - have to wrangle my camera from my mother :P
Talk soon!
Take care!
Again the time and distance is too great here, but I'm glad to hear Some of us are able to attend.
I live on the east coast of Canada,so attendance for me is impossible but I shall certainly
be there in spirit.
Kristin,I'm sure Meek is delighted that her treasures will have a good home with a good friend.
Quote from: JohnBolesGal on October 13, 2008, 03:54:18 PM
I am glad to hear that some of you are going. I wish I could but I am in Ohio.
Same, here, Kristin, I am a fellow Buckeye. I would love to be there as well. Terry and Max will have to represent the UMA in our place.
Mike
With great disappointment, I will not be able to attend today's tribute to Linda Miller. My wife HAS to work today, and I have two children who have nowhere to go. Dang it anyways!
I know that both Max and Jane will be there today, and the two of them will represent us in fine fashion. I hope to hear something today from Max regarding the proceedings. I will update everyone as details come my way.
So, to Max or anybody else out there who attended Linda's tribute...HOW DID IT GO??
Hi Micheal. While I was unable to attend Linda's memorial, I did receive first hand accounts of the tribute memorial from both Max and Jane. The two of them are still on their way home back to Pittsburgh as I type this post. I will let Max report all the details once he returns home. But I will tell you it was wonderful! I think there was close to around 75 - 100 people. At the end of the day's activities, Linda's mother invited Max and Jane into her home for dinner. Max was then gifted with a box full of hunchbacks! Yes! Most of Linda's own "bunches of hunches"! I got to see them all (including other collectibles of Linda's) when Max and Jane stopped here at Castle Famous. Let me tell you, words can't describe the feelings that welled up inside when I saw that box of Linda's belongings. God rest her soul. :'(
That's GREAT Terry, thank you for the advance report and i look forward to Max giving us a detailed description. Linda's mom sounds like one VERY special lady, also. After all the mind numbing grief she has had to endure these past weeks, she has the presence of mind to want to share Linda's personal belongings with those closest to her. What a wonderful, generous and caring person...As we all know, the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Meek is still legendary on this board with 1379 posts in less than nine and a half months.
:(