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
DeleteThank you, John. That means more than you know. Although I don't know why I said that, because I know you do.
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
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. How shocking! She was a feisty thing. I got a kick out of her.
ReplyDeleteOh, John,
ReplyDeleteWhat deeply sad news that Lee has died. She and her wit will be missed by me in addition to you and lots of folks here.
Group hug!
Oh John, I always loved Lee’s conmments. She could say so much in so few words.. I’m thinking of you and her family . Carol in Atlanta
ReplyDeleteIt's like losing a family member. Fellow bloggers become that important. RIP
ReplyDeleteThat is such a shock. It shows how strong the community is here amongst the comments because I will really miss Lee as I know will others as well as yourself. She was special and I always loved her comments and picturing her with her dirty martinis. Condolences to her family and to you xx
ReplyDeleteShe certainly loved you, John. And she will be missed
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Lee but I'm sorry you've lost such a valiant supporter!
ReplyDeleteSo very sad to read this today. I have always loved Lee's posts and her support of you,such loyalty and strength with a sassy wit too. May she Rest in Peace. Condolences to her family and loved ones. Carole R
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this news, John. She was one sassy lady and very dear to you. May she rest in peace x
ReplyDeleteSad news.
ReplyDeleteShe had the wonderful ability to cut to the chase. A lady with chutzpah.
Didn't she also praise you for wiping out 'troll' posts that were 100% accurate just because they bruised your ego? Man, life in a bubble must be rough. RIP 'Lee'.
ReplyDeleteNo
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DeleteShame on you both - as both are too chicken to leave your names. Get a life!
DeleteWell he has not deleted this offensive lengthy comment. To inspire such resentment and contempt makes me think jealousy of John might be the cause of this. He enjoys a lot of support is popular so I don't suppose he is too fussed. Your anger is palpable. ...even a little unhinged may I say in my non professional opinion
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteAgain, we know who you are. Your choice of words and phrases give you away - every time.
DeleteThis is very sad news. Her quick wit and disdain for trolls will be missed. Please pass on our condolences to her loved ones. RIP Lee.
ReplyDeleteBloggers and commenters are a community, a death in the neighborhood. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteA positive thing about the internet John... all the people that touched your life that otherwise wouldn't have....Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss, John. :(
ReplyDeleteI didn't know (of) her, but what a great lady. You're lucky to have known her - and she you.
ReplyDeleteRIP Lee. John it’s gross how you exploited her obvious mental health issues while doing zero to help her out. This weird and morbid obsession you have with mental illness and death isn't doing anyone any favors
ReplyDeleteWhat is gross is how you have nothing to do but pounce on John at every opportunity. Your obviously evil intentions tell us all we need to know about YOU! Even the sad loss of his friend is fodder for your depraved entertainment needs.
DeleteLee was no more mentally ill than I am
DeleteI would have thought that a death notice of someone you cared about would not lead to an unprovoked attack on your character, especially an anonymous comment, but I was wrong. Anonymous, please fuck the fuck off.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss. She sounds like what my grandmother would have called a "pistol" taking on the racist punks.
ReplyDeleteHave a martini in "Lee's" honor.
RIP Lee. Her comments made her a real part of the blogging family that we are all in. She could get right to the point in few, but very meaningful words and I always read what she wrote. She will be missed by many of us. Sending love to all her family and friends if they can get to see this. xx
ReplyDeleteHello John,
ReplyDeleteI’m a quiet reader who doesn’t comment. Yet I was genuinely upset to read of Lees passing. It’s not often that someone can eloquently articulate their feelings. Lee did so while throwing in a well placed curse. Her comments were always bang on.
It’s obvious you valued the relationship you had, both here and in private. I hope when the shock and distress eases a little you can feel proud of your bond and remember it fondly.
Blogging is a funny old thing. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and believe someone is who they portray themselves to be.
I get the feeling that we can all believe in Lee.
Peace.
Love.
Jennifer from Canberra Australia.
RIP “Lee”. You will be missed here for your witty, right to the point comments. I always looked forward to them as they were bang on. And I couldn’t stand Ursula either. Have a dirty martini or two in her memory. Gigi, not my name either
ReplyDeleteWe'll all miss witnessing Lee have your back. I loved that. -Kate
ReplyDeleteDear John, So sorry to hear about Lee. Loved her comments. As for the trolls and their comments... they can f*** right off. Jxx
ReplyDeleteLee will be missed by so many of us who read your blog. My sincere condolences to you and her family & friends in NY.
ReplyDeleteI have deleted the negative and incorrectly phrased and explained posts on the simple grounds they made no sense.
ReplyDeleteAlso today we generally celebrate a character of some depth, conviction and spirit .
With Lee gone, the appearance of a troll wasn’t strange , they had no one to fear , but the effort of posting underlines the depth of their psychological scars and personality deficits
I will quote one of Lee’s best one liners when confronting a troll reply of some length
“ Bitch! you need a bust in the mouth “
What a woman. I loved her comments. I'm sorry you never got to meet her.
ReplyDeleteWhat sad news, I loved it when Lee posted, her turn of phrase made me chuckle on more than one occasion. Sorry for the loss of your friend John she was certainly a larger than life ''broad" R.I.P
ReplyDeleteWhat sad news, I loved it when Lee posted, her turn of phrase made me chuckle on more than one occasion. Sorry for the loss of your friend John she was certainly a larger than life ''broad" R.I.P
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this. RIP Lee.
ReplyDelete