Obit: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news (29 Aug 99)

Subject: RE: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 10:38 AM

The Golden Ring and the Five Days Singing recordings taught me so much about folk music and harmony singing. Goodby, Gerry- and thank you.
Allison

Subject: RE: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news
From: Frank Hamilton
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 10:25 AM

Jean Ritchie had informed me of Gerry's condition. I called Gerry about a week ago and had a lovely chat with her. I told her how much George and she had contributed to the Old Town School of Folk Music and how she and George were responsible for bringing in traditional folk music to the School. Horton Barker stayed at her house when he did the concert at the OTS.

George and Gerry graced our concert stages with their lovely dulcimer music and George always piped us in as a prelude to OTS events. I remember the record "Simple Gifts". Sandy, is that Folk Legacy or Folkways?

I was so moved at Gerry's wonderful attitude. An acceptance of that part of life called death that was inspirational came through the telephone wires in that warm, musical voice. It was like she was singing to everyone she knew that everything is all right, the way it's supposed to be and not to worry about her. What a brave lady!

Her lovely daughters will carry on the tradition that she and George loved, fostered and taught to us all.

Very sadly yours,

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news
From: folk1234
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 09:29 AM

A lovely lady, who left behind the gift of music that we all can enjoy. Although I've loved her and George's music for many years, I did not meet her until this past April at the Big Muddy Folk Festival in Booneville, MO. We sang Poor Howard together. What a thrill for me.

Subject: RE: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 09:01 AM

I don't know why this one pains me so. Can't say I ever met her except in her music. I think it is because three people that I have come to truly love and respect, Art, Sandy and Caroline, speak of her with such tenderness. Friends, your sadness comes through loud and clear. We are all lessened by her leaving, but her body of work lives on.

Mick

Subject: RE: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 11:09 PM

We knew, somehow, as we said "goodbye" at the festival and watched Gerry walk away toward her car, not looking back, that we'd never see her again. She had told us the doctors who discovered her cancer had warned her that it usually meant only six months to a year, at most. But when Gerry wrote to tell us about it, she insisted that we should not be saddened, as she was ready and her faith sustained her. How reassuring such a profound faith must be.

Farewell to a very dear friend of forty years standing. We'll miss your music and cherish your memory.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 08:44 PM

I have listened and admired and now I am saddened. Thank you Art.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Gerry Armstrong--very sad news
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 08:34 PM

Another one I've missed and now, to learn about. Such a sad way to learn of someone who sounds like a treasure. I am sorry, Art. Thank you for letting us know.

luvyaKat

Subject: Gerry Armstrong--sad news
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 08:28 PM

Folks, I know that many of you have loved the music of Gerry Armstrong, and her late husbang, George---their great LP on Folkways that introduced the world to the the words to "Simple Gifts"---their fine work on Folk Legacy as original members of "THE GOLDEN RING", the albums called "FIVE DAYS SINGING" and recently a CD with her daughters, Rebecca and Jennifer. Sandy and Caroline & I had recently spent some lovely hours listening to Gerry just 3 or 4 weeks ago at the Dulcimer Festival in Morris, Illinois where S. & C. were performing also. We knew Gerry was ill but we didn't know how sick she actually was.
Today I got this e-mail from an old folk friend in California.

"Hi, Gerry Armstrong's sister just called to tell me that Gerry died today, just before noon, our time. Her sister, Barbara, was with her as all the girls were in California for Becky's son's wedding. Gerry had planned to go, but in the last few days had started to fail. Barbara reported that Gerry died without pain, peacefully with a smile on her lips."

Art