Late News
It is with much sadness that I share with you the awful news that veteran blog commentator “ Lee” died very suddenly on Monday afternoon ( New York time)
Her cousin emailed me this afternoon with the news and I am honoured to be included in the list of “to be told” people , listed on Lee’s desk in her 5th Avenue apartment
Lee wasn’t her real name , and so I have been asked by her relatives not to disclose any further personal information about her, a fact I will honour but lee was the name of her long term partner who died back in 2005, and whom she missed every day of her life.
I shared with Lee’s cousin her constant need to fight my blog battles for me , and they immediately wrote back that a “battling nature” was a constant in Lee‘s life.
They told me, that once Lee had witnessed an Asian shopkeeper being racially abused in a store off 2nd avenue , at 71 she had hurled cans of coke and beer at the abuser until they backed off, waiting as a bodyguard until the police arrived.
I remember her championing every troll attacked blog , with a potty mouth and acid humour. She was loyal and sweet and we emailed each other regularly, with silly stories and mutual support amid periods of loneliness and bouts of ill health.
I so wanted to share a dirty martini with her at Docks on Third Avenue
But alas I never have
Her family has requesting anonymity but have agreed to send me a photo of her as long as I don’t publish it.
I will treasure it when it arrives
Lee was a supporter of many New York charities including the mental health charity The Jewish Board which is a leading social services agency charity for the city
She will be missed for sure
Hey ho 😥🌈

I'm sorry to hear this John. I checked your comments and she commented on Monday! I remember how she always stood up for you.
ReplyDeleteShe died not long after Ellen which pains me x
DeleteI am so sorry to hear this John. I always looked for her comments full of quick wit and often a masterwork of brevity. And she always made me smile and nod agreement. I knew nothing of her except through her comments and it is good to learn more and read your heartfelt tribute. She will be missed. Please pass on our condolences to friends and family from a small corner of the Going Gently family. And God bless her.
ReplyDeleteI will photoshop this blog entry and forward it on
DeleteI never read her blog. I feel like I should go back and learn a little about her. She sounds like someone I could very much be friends with.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the loss of all who knew and loved her.
Dearest , she never had a blog , she was a maverick, a lesbian Jew with attitude …..she one told me she should have been a gay man lol
DeleteVery sad news. Condolences to Lee's family, friends and of course you, John. It sounds like she was a true warrior for the underdog in any fight.
ReplyDeleteShe loved her dear parents who died in the 70s
DeleteShe didn’t go gentle into that good night… it’s amazing how much people, which we knew only via Internet can have an impact on our lives… beautiful post about Lee you wrote, John 💐🌈
ReplyDeleteNicely written dearHeart
DeleteHer comments were always so pithy and spirited. She will be sorely missed here in blogland as well as by her friends and family. It was good of her relatives to contact you.
ReplyDeleteShe hated. Ursula with a vengeance
DeleteHello John
DeleteKeith here
As u know I knew Lee, and I met her a few times in New York. A delightfully bizarre character dressed in many layers and colours
I loved her too
Keith
Xx
Very sad and shocking! She was just here posting yesterday. I hope she knew how much we enjoyed her comments, admired her feisty ways. If I ever get to Dock's, or even my Irish pub in the village, I will raise a dirty martini in her honor. Cheers, Lee.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I am sorry for your loss, I know you enjoyed Lee's presence here.
She posted on Monday 😒
DeleteLee played an important part in your blog, John. We could count on her comments to always support you. I will miss her. She was dear to me because she was such a good friend to a friend! Condolences to all affected.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh,what a shock. She was a good friend to you John.
ReplyDeleteWill miss Lees comments! Kathy
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to learn this news. We will miss her comments here. I believe she sent you some lovely martini glasses one time. I loved her comments to your trolls!
ReplyDeleteWe should all raise a glass to a sassy lady. Cheers, Lee! 🍸xx
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to Docks (it was a favorite of my mother), and I lightheartedly pictured running into you there every time you mentioned it. So sorry for the loss of your friend. Olivia
ReplyDeleteBloody hell. I'm sorry John.
ReplyDeleteEven if you never saw her physically, she was a good and dear friend, and you to her.You never would have met her without your blog. My condolences to her family and you.Jen
ReplyDelete