Hilary Kelley

Subject:
From: GUEST,Erica Smith
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 05:35 PM

Dear friends,

This message is to note the passing of Hilary Kelley on November 23, 2000.

Hilary and her sister, Alison Kelley, sang together as The Cruel Sisters. Many of you know Alison from The NexTradition and the Johnson Girls.

Alison and her family thank you for your enormous outpouring of love and support over the past week. Alison can be reached at 718-636-6341 or at [e-mail].

All are invited to an informal memorial service for Hilary Kelley:

This Sunday, December 3, at 7:00 pm At The Ethical Culture Society 53 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, NY (near 2nd Street)

Please pass this along to others who might want to know.

Thank you, Erica Smith [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: GUEST,Nancy King
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 11:04 PM

Erica-- Thanks for posting this. I was hoping somebody would. A very sad occasion. --Nancy

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: MudGuard
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 01:57 AM

Hello Erica,
please take care not to leave the subject field empty!
In lots of spaces the subject is used to create a link to the posting (i.e. the "New Messages since last visit", search results...).
If there is no subject, there is nothing to click on (although, in the html code, the link is existent, the user still needs something to point the mouse to...).
This way you might loose readers for your message.
Thanks,
MudGuard

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: jaze
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 02:07 AM

So sorry to hear this news .My prayers are with Alison tonight. Is it only me or is there too much sorrow lately?

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: Suffet
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 09:03 PM

I first heard Hilary and Alison at a singing party on the Upper West Side of Manhattan three years ago this past month. They arrived late and the living room where we were all sittig was crowded, with every chair and sofa space occupied. So the two sisters sat on the floor in the center of the circle. As they did, someone started to sing Guthrie's "Roll On Columbia." Hilary and Alison joined in, and instantly I was awestruck. I am not a deeply religious person, but at that moment I felt a chill, for I readily understood that the voice of God spoke through their singing. I was in the presence of true holiness.

There is a Brightness which we can only know, as Saint Paul once said, as if we were looking through a dark lens. Thank you, dear Hilary, for being our lens, however briefly. And thank you, too, Alison, for being our lens as well. May God's voice and Hilary's spirit continue to be heard through your song.

Love,
Steve

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: Suffet
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 06:48 AM

Greetings:

The memorial service for Hilary Kelley was simple, moving, and crowded beyond anticipation. The leader spent little time eulogizing. Instead she let Hilary's family and friends recall Hilary's life. Then there was singing, a lot of singing. What I recall as most moving was Frank Woerner leading the gathering in Sydney Carter's "Julian of Norwich," one of Hilary's favorites:

"And all shall be well again,
I'm telling you,
Let the winter come and go,
All shall be well again, I know."

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: GUEST,Erica Smith
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 12:16 PM

Hilary's memorial was the most lovely and moving I've ever attended. I'm with you, Steve -- when Frank sang "All shall be well, I'm telling you," he sounded determined, which Hilary would want.

During this difficult time I've become acutely aware of how special it is to be part of a music community & how you all have changed my life. (And I also can be certain that, when I die, my funeral is going to rock.)

xo, Erica

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: GUEST,kate
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 01:16 AM

I just learned of this tragedy today from friends who knew Hilary. I didn't know her but have met Allison. I am truly sorry for the loss for her family and all who called her a friend. It's so good to be able to sing through the difficult times. Remember the good times and she will always be with you.
kate

Subject: RE: Hilary Kelley
From: Matthew B.
Date: 17 Apr 01 - 07:33 PM

It hass been nearly five months now since Hilary passed away, and I still feel the loss bitterly. For those of you who might not know the story, Hilary -- the healthiest person I ever knew -- was killed in a freak accident in her home, shortly before she was to join her sister, Alison, for Thanksgiving Dinner. We all share in Alison's grief for her great loss ...and ours.

Two nights ago, I listened to Traditions, New Spirits & Holy Ground, the CD that was made as a compilation of performances by people who have recently performed at the "Good Coffee Shop" in Brooklyn. When it came to the song Hieland Laddie, sung by Frank Woerner and the Cruel Sisters, I heard her sweet voice and felt the loss all over again.

Suffet, thanks for mentioning the voice of God. I know exactly what you mean. When I heard that song two nights ago, I heard that voice. I still hear it whenever I listen to Frank or Alison, but I sorely wish that I could still hear it from Hilary too.