MetaFilter posts tagged with Obituary

The weight is off his shoulders

Taft — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:53:24 -0800

Anthony Moore, known as Romanthony, has died at age 46. Romanthony provided legendary vocals for Daft Punk's Discovery. The album opens with his voice, and closes with it. He helped shape the sound of house music in the early nineties and his influence is still heard in electronic music today. .

The lost history of Dr. Alice E. Kober and her research on Linear B

filthy light thief — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:34:38 -0800

For more than 50 years, Linear B was an ancient language that hadn't given up its secret. Professor Bennett spent much of the 1940s hammering out a list of about 80 characters, and in 1951 he published the first definitive list of the signs of Linear B. The next year, archaeologist and Linear B enthusiast Michael Ventris finished "breaking" the code, with some hope from the research of Bennett, and another scholar named Alice Kober, but apparently she was rather hard to get on with and they went their separate ways. Except the magnitude of Doctor Kober's painstaking and self-sacrificing work is still largely unacknowledged. Margalit Fox, an obituary writer for the New York Times, tapped into the vast digital repository at the University of Texas Libraries and found the lost history of Dr. Alice E. Kober. Alice was an overworked, underpaid classics professor who wrote her notes on tens of thousands of homemade index cards, fitted neatly into “file boxes” made from empty cigarette cartons, made during World War II when resources were limited. The result Fox's six years of research was The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code (Google books preview). From Fox's research, she discovered a researcher dedicated to decoding an ancient language, whose prior biographies were limited, inaccurately painting a picture of a cold academic.

Smoke and Frost, separated too soon.

mykescipark — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:56:52 -0800

Fum, the feline half of the Internet-famous cat/owl duo Fum and Gebra, passed away on May 4 from renal obstruction due to feline urologic syndrome. He was three human years old. Fum & Gebra met in May 2010 when they were one month old. Fum is a Catalan name that means “smoke”. Gebra is an Andalucian owl (Tyto Alba) whose name comes from the Catalan “Gebre”, for “frost”. Fum and Gebra's YouTube channels (1 | 2) | The Guardian | National Geographic [YT] Text of the announcement, for those of you not on Facebook: It’s really sad for us to write it, but we feel that F&G’s followers must know about what happened some days ago. Last May 4, Fum passed away. Veterinarians could not save him from a renal obstruction (feline urologic syndrome - FUS). Fum deeply enjoyed in the country during his three years of life (should equal to 28 years for humans) This page has been, since its beginning, a place of joy and will go on being so. Most of us, followers, have understood the love and friendship example that Fum and Gebra have been giving us. Their message is our most rich legacy. They have been able to show us, humans, that love and friendship are the most valuable treasures we can get. Fum and Gebra told this story their way, as if they were telling a tale. Our loved ones go away, we know that every life has its beginning and its end, but also it’s true that real essences are immortals. All those who face their lives with courage and bravery are deeply wishing their light will survive. Fum and Gebra’s example has been so touching for our souls that will remain in our hearts forever. Though somebody thought that Fum could have injured Gebra, he was always most respectful with her. We feel he loved her. Now Gebra will fly higher and higher to reach with her feathers’ caresses his friend Fum, who is in heaven. We thank you all for your support and fondness in these difficult moments. Hope you will understand we’ll keep silence during some time. Fum fully reached his goal, he taught us a most important lesson, maybe it was the time for him to die. Some day we will return, together, to the valley of the flowery almond trees.

Obitfilter

oneswellfoop — Sun, 05 May 2013 16:18:32 -0800

Did you know you can pay to have the obituary for a non-famous loved one put in the New York Times? The family of Antonia W. "Toni" Larroux of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi did.

"Waffle House lost a loyal customer on April 30, 2013. Antonia W. "Toni" Larroux died after a battle with multiple illnesses: lupus, rickets, scurvy, kidney disease and feline leukemia."

The obituary goes on to make fun of four generations of family (from her father to her grandchildren), the Hancock County Library Foundation and the clergyman presiding at her memorial service, closing with the statement that "Anyone wearing black will not be admitted to the memorial."
via Miss Cellania of Neatorama

When your abuser or estranged relative dies

nickyskye — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:10:12 -0800

When your abuser or estranged relative dies - funerals, obituaries, & condolences. This is a practical, thoughtful and informative website created by two Christian women who are knowledgeable about dealing with pathological narcissists and sociopaths within a family context, in particular the topic of "Silent Partners". Hoovering defined as a concept. The Silent Partner is any relative who stands by silently while you are victimized, or who takes the abuser's side against the victim.

\m/ . \m/

Existential Dread — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:58:15 -0800

Guitarist Jeff Hanneman of Slayer has died at 49.

A founding member of the long-running thrash institution, Jeff Hanneman passed away of liver failure after a long battle with necrotizing fasciitis thought to have been caused by a spider bite (previously.) Hanneman wrote music and lyrics for many of the band's most iconic songs, including Angel of Death, Raining Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons in the Abyss.

RIP Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly

The Gooch — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:53:26 -0800

Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly, one half of the rap duo Kriss Kross was found dead today at age 34 of what is being investigated as a possible drug overdose. Kriss Kross rose to fame in the early 90s as a pair of pre-teens with a unique fashion sense (they were famous for wearing their clothes backwards). Their debut album, Totally Krossed Out, was certified 4X platinum by the RIAA, selling over 4 million copies. Best known for their 1992 hit single Jump, which reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart, Kriss Kross' other hits included Warm It Up and Alright. Their final studio album together, "Young, Rich and Dangerous" was released in 1996. The pair reunited in February of this year for the So So Def reunion show.

"it’s one thing to survive, and another to live."

zarq — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:05:20 -0800

This past September, Jessica Ann Lum won a "Best Feature" award in the student-journalist category from the Online News Association, for her Master's project: "Slab City Stories." Less than four months later, on January 13, 2013, she passed away. She was 25. "Jessica loved to tell people’s stories. This is hers." CJR: More of Jessica Lum's work. Also of interest: Mission Bike Portraits From 2009: Online posts help cancer patient share feelings. Ms. Lum was diagnosed with terminal Stage IV metastatic pheochromocytoma in 2008. Her article archive at UCLA's Daily Bruin includes: 'Journalism’s richest experiences are created by the people.' Additional Obituaries * The Daily Bruin * The Sacramento Bee * Daily Californian Slab City Slab City, CA is a makeshift town created by squatters on a former Marine base-turned-squatter-RV-park in the California desert. It was previously covered on MeFi back in 2004. "Slab City Stories" was featured on NPR back in October. The community posted an obituary announcement for Ms. Lum in January: "The piece she did on Slab City is what brought her to us, the residents of Slab City. Her sensitive engaging pictures and recounting of residents’ own stories endeared her to us. She earned our full respect. Respect that is not freely given to many media groups that enter our gates. She lived with us for weeks at a time more than once to truly get a feel for who we are. She was not like other media visitors that blasted in looking for a quick buck, taking quick shots, manipulating the ”stories” into the director’s preconceived staged “documentary”. … We would like her family to know: She will be remembered as one of our kindred spirits."

99 is the magic number

2N2222 — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:35:06 -0800

David Gold, founder of Southern California's (and beyond) ubiquitous 99 Cents Only Stores, has died. Gold came up with the idea for the brightly colored bottom barrel discount store in 1982 when he noticed an interesting phenomenon with the pricing scheme at his liquor store:

"Whenever I'd put wine or cheese on sale for $1.02 or 98 cents, it never sold out," Gold recalled in a Times interview in 2003. "When I put a 99 cent sign on anything, it was gone in no time. I realized it was a magic number. I thought, wouldn't it be fun to have a store where everything was good quality and everything was 99 cents?"

99 Cents Only Stores was known for not taking itself too seriously, running humorous ads, often referring to the number 99 in some way such as congratulating Joan Rivers "Happy 99th Facelift", or their fleet vehicle displaying "Driver Carries 99 Cents Only" under the logo. He died Monday at age 80 of apparent heart attack at home, while on a work call.

Jocasta Innes, 78, influential writer on decor, cooking

Ideefixe — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:52:01 -0800

The author of The Pauper's Cookbook , Paint Magic and more than 50 other titles, has died in London. If you ever thought about stippling, sponging, stencilling, scumbling, rag-rolling and distressing and/or color-washing a wall, you might well have been influenced by Ms. Innes.

A Compassionate "Human Computer", RIP

bluefly — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:49:14 -0800

Shakuntala Devi, the Indian "human computer," passed away on Sunday. The NY Times first did a profile on her when she visited the US in 1976, during which she computed the cube root of a 9 digit integer in her head, but could not remember that she had been to the US once before -- over 20 years prior. Bob Bemer (inventor of the Escape key previously) remembers meeting her in 1953 on the TV show You Asked For It (which had previously featured a race between an abacus and a calculator). Psychologist Arthur Jensen (who did controversial research on race and IQ) wrote a paper on Shakuntala's exceptional ability in 1990. Shakuntala made her living as an astrologer and authored numerous books mostly on mathematical puzzles and tricks, but also The World of Homosexuals (1977), one of the earliest ethnographic studies of gay people in India. Specifically about gays in her hometown of Bangalore, Shakuntala called for "not only the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India, but also its 'full and complete acceptance' by the heterosexual population so that the Indian homosexual may lead a dignified and secure life."

How to Live at the Met

girlhacker — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:05:12 -0800

If you ever wanted to run away and live at the museum, you probably read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Author and two-time Newbery Award winner E. L. Konigsburg who gave the runaway Kincaid siblings a mystery to solve at the Metropolitan Museum of Art died today at age 83. Konigsburg attended what later became Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in chemistry, and went on to teach science before writing children's books. (previously)

Carmine Infantino Comic Book Artist RIP

marxchivist — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:37:43 -0800

Comic book legend Carmine Infantino has died at the age of 87. Beginning his career in the early 1940's, Infantino created or co-created stalwart DC characters such The Flash, Batgirl, Black Canary, and Deadman. He also served as editorial director at DC, and added artists and writers like Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, Denny O'Neill and Bernie Wrightson to the company's roster.

You don't realize it, but we're at dinner right now.

Snarl Furillo — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:22:50 -0800

Prolific and well-respected film critic Roger Ebert has died at 70. Perhaps best known as one half of At The Movies with Siskel and Ebert (Siskel and Ebert defend Star Wars; Siskel and Ebert review Goodfellas), Ebert had in recent years blogged extensively about living with cancer, including the popular essay Nil by Mouth. My personal favorite is this lovely reflection on his wife, Chaz. The Chicago Tribune remembers the Pulitzer Prize-winning "critic with the soul of a poet." Ebert's Great Movies: The First 100.

How to write about scientists who happen to be women

ChuraChura — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:33:11 -0800

The New York Times has faced criticism after an obituary of Yvonne Brill, rocket scientist, opened with "She made a mean beef stroganoff, followed her husband from job to job and took eight years off from work to raise three children. “The world’s best mom,” her son Matthew said." Christie Aschwanded proposes a test for writing about women in science similar to the Bechdel test: the Finkbeiner test. To pass this test, the story cannot mention: - The fact that she’s a woman - Her husband’s job - Her child care arrangements - How she nurtures her underlings - How she was taken aback by the competitiveness in her field - How she’s such a role model for other women - How she’s the “first woman to…” This was proposed in light of Ann Finkbinder's post, What I'm Not Going to Do, on writing a profile of an important (woman) astronomer. The resulting article about Andrea Ghez. an astronomer doing groundbreaking research on black holes conveys all the excitement of scientific discovery while pretending "she's just an astronomer." Other exemplary profiles of scientists that pass the "Finkbinder test" include geneticist and behaviorist Hopi Hoekstra, climate scientists Susan Solomon, and hyena behavioral ecologist Kay Holekamp.

Vernon Dursley, RIP

hippybear — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 06:49:58 -0800

Richard Griffiths, star of stage and screen, perhaps globally best known for his role as Harry Potter's ill-willed uncle, has died at the age of 65 due to complications from heart surgery. I personally will treasure Griffiths' performance in The History Boys as my remembrance of his work.

“I gave all my money to head waiters and tarts”

Hartster — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 05:23:10 -0800

“The people I burgled got rich by greed and skulduggery. They indulged in the mechanics of ostentation — they deserved me and I deserved them." Peter Scott, known as the "King of the Cat Burglars", has died at the age of 82.

A Little Bit of Home Has Been Lost

batmonkey — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:52:10 -0800

Scott Kennedy - Texan, comedian, founder of Comics Ready to Entertain (USO alternative for incredibly dangerous deployment locations), and co-founder of Gay Comedy Jam passed away on March 14th. The silence was deafening for one writer, who went on to intersperse pithy fury with honest admiration in an unforgettable mix of eulogy, obituary, and media rant. The links to his various performances distributed throughout those destinations are well worth investment of time and appreciation.

Goodnight, Bebo

jbickers — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:23:00 -0800

Bebo Valdes has passed away. A giant of Cuban music, he was a "big man whose music revealed a huge heart." He famously worked with Nat King Cole, and also handed down his musical chops to son Chucho, who would become one of the founding members of the band Irakere. There are some videos inside the fold to allow us to celebrate Bebo and his music. Rosa Mustia Lagrimas Negras Tea For Two Musica Contada 2

Nigerian author Chinua Achebe has died at age 82.

jquinby — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:08:01 -0800

"Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, acclaimed in part for his groundbreaking 1958 novel "Things Fall Apart," has died, his British publisher, Penguin Books, said Friday." Set in precolonial Nigeria, Things Fall Apart portrays the story of a farmer, Okonkwo, who struggles to preserve his customs despite pressure from British colonizers. The story resonated in post-independent Africa, and the character became a household name in the continent. "Achebe's stories included proverbs and tackled complex issues of African identity, nationalism and decolonization, adding to his books' popularity. He once wrote an essay criticizing Joseph Conrad, author of "Heart of Darkness," as a racist for his depiction of Africans as savages. Conrad's popularity took a hit after the accusation -- a testament to Achebe's credibility."

In memory of Wan Joon Kim, the unlikely Korean godfather of gangsta rap

filthy light thief — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:15:35 -0800

1985 marked a few beginnings for gangsta rap, with Schooly D releasing the influential P.S.K. What Does It Mean? (YT), and a few Korean swap-meet vendors opening the Compton Fashion Center, the first indoor swap meet. It was there and then that Wan Joon Kim got his start as an unlikely godfather of gangsta rap. Wan Joon Kim was born in North Korea, but he and his family escaped in 1950 on his father's fishing boat. He and his family left South Korea for Los Angeles in 1976, where they started to sell hair clips and barrettes at open-air swap-meets. Kim noticed that there was always a line for the guy selling music. When he heard about the indoor swap-meet, he was third in line to lease a space, and Cycladelic Music Corner opened in Stall Z-7. Wan Joon Kim, who liked classical music, jumped into the music selling business and catered to the public demand for popular music, contacting distributors as soon as a new song hit the radio, so he'd have the singles on his shelves just a few hours later. In the mid-1980s, gangsta rap was just starting out, and most music retailers shied away from the aggressive music, but not Kim. Mr. Kim was a gangster rap empresario in Compton, selling records, then cassettes, of the rap pioneers from that town when no one else would. He came to be loved by customers and rappers alike. He and and his wife were known as Pops and Mama. He spoke no English and didn't understand the lyrics of the music he sold, so he had one of his daughters translate.

"He'd always ask them, 'What are these guys talking about? Why are these guys so angry?' And they would pretty much interpret certain songs, and it catches to him and he'd be, 'Oh, I like this.' "

Now that the beginning of gangsta rap is almost three decades behind us, people still came by to pay their respects to Pops and Mama, sometimes bringing their own kids. There's even a YouTube channel for the shop, with rappers stopping by and saying their piece. Wan Joon Kim died Wednesday at the age of 79, after a three-year battle with cancer. But the quiet man's legacy lives on in the many friendships he formed and the hometown music he helped make famous.

An obituary to fit the man

zerobyproxy — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 07:25:36 -0800

Harry Weathersby Stamps, ladies' man, foodie, natty dresser, and accomplished traveler, died on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Harry Stamps' obituary, penned by his daughter Amanda Lewis.

In Memory of Paul Bearer

uncleozzy — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:59:10 -0800

Bill Moody, best known as professional wrestling manager Paul Bearer, passed away Tuesday at the age of 58. He began his career as a manager in 1979, calling himself Percy Pringle III, and after a brief detour as--oh yes--a funeral director, continued this role, managing future-greats like Rick Rude and, incredibly, Mark Calaway in CWF and WCCW. But Moody's big break came in 1990, when he was introduced to the world as the manager of brand-new WWF phenom The Undertaker. He quickly became a beloved character, both in his capacity as the Undertaker's mouthpiece (and Kane's father), and as host of his "Funeral Parlor" interview segment, known for his creepy, intense promos. Bill is remembered fondly by friend and colleague Jim Ross (and, uh, Evanescence). As Percy himself said, though, "As long as there's fans out there that have enjoyed what we've done through the years, Paul Bearer's never going to die."

The best game you can name

mightygodking — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:59:24 -0800

Canada's legendary Stompin' Tom Connors died today at 77.

The interior life of an episode of Neighbours

mippy — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:06:06 -0800

"Misadventures was written in a flat, artless style — as The Daily Telegraph’s critic put it, like “a cross between a police officer giving evidence in court and a slightly demented grandmother intent on telling you everything over a cup of tea”. The curious tale of Sylvia Smith - the author who achieved fame in her fifties on the publication of her memoir of an ordinary life, one which sometimes baffled critics.