Linda AKA Meek Passed Away This morning

[JohnBolesGal]

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 
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.

[Wich2]

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

[Daimajin]

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.

[fmofmpls]

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.

[JohnBolesGal]

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  ). 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

[fmofmpls]

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.

[Wich2]

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

[fmofmpls]

As I asked Max, will you please take my "power of attorney"?

You know I will Craig. I will be honored to.

[fmofmpls]

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

[The Drunken Severed Head]

Jane and I will be there. I hope to see other UMA members. (Will be so glad to see you again, Terry!)

[JohnBolesGal]

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

Talk soon!
Take care!

[Gary D Macabre]

Again the time and distance is too great here, but I'm glad to hear Some of us are able to attend.

[avenger]

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.

[Illoman]

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

[fmofmpls]

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.