Obit: Diane Easby (May 2013)

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 11:57 PM

Some downright weird posts have been deleted because they don't have to do with the obituary, they are part of a far-fetched expedition suggested by a guest.

Rahere, please stop posting your speculative stuff. This is an obituary thread for a woman who died several months ago. Leave her and her friends in peace.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 07:09 AM

Rahere, this is David Easby's email...the one he left in the thread I linked to, above...

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 03:55 AM

Rahere...here's the thread I started a while back, in which Diane's brother posted...

Diane ill - Thread

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Rahere
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 02:47 AM

Might I check when, brother Schweik? Sadly, her own brother was very much your companion in arms, and clearly had the same problems resettling back into civilian life so many of their peers have: his LinkedIn page shows a recognisable pattern, in that when he was in contact here claiming to have been out of contact in Afghanistan, he was supposedly a security supervisor in Canary Wharf! I'll let you know what I discover.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 12:31 AM

I want for all that was best in Diane - and there was a lot - to be remembered and live on after her; and what was worst in her to be forgiven."
well said,Bonnie, that is exactly how i feel, the last correspondence I had with Diane was passing on a message to her that her brother was trying to contact her, She sent me a note thanking me.
I feel sadness for any older person living in London or any big city alone,cities seem to have lost any community awareness.
I still feel sadness about her death.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Rahere
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 12:27 AM

Further to my last, I'm a tad cautious about the contact: a background check implies he's in his early 40s, far younger than Diane seemed to be, and unless anyone actually knows what their relationship actually was, I'd be cautious about taking it quite for granted, because there are aspects of his life which may explain his comments about estrangement. It's even possible he may not be aware of her decease, so I'm going to check with the hospital chaplains anyway, just to be on the safe side.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 08:11 PM

You're right, Chris, and he left an email address. I've dropped him a sympathetic note offering your condolences, asking him to tell the tale.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 06:58 PM

When Diane was ill a few years ago, Lizzie started a thread on Mudcat. Diane's brother contributed to it. I daresay you can find the link on a previous post.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 06:41 PM

Many thanks, Bonnie. I'd heard you moved back, their gain is our loss.
Sometimes in such cases progress is slow: I'll ask quietly at the hospital tomorrow, probably through the chaplains, so the rest of the story can be found out, as far as possible.
I'll post anything I discover here. She did a lot to carry the flag and the rest of her tale should be told.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 05:31 PM

Hi Jeremy - lovely to touch base again.

Sadly, Diane died back in May. The shock you sense here is that none of us knew about it until now. Chris and I left Facebook messages etc back in the summer, which went unanswered. And now, a lot of questions still go unanswered and probably always will.

I don't live in the UK anymore (the news of your singers' club makes me homesick!) but you can email me - bonnieharp att hot mail dott comm, send a message through Facebook, or - if you join this site - a personal message ("PM") here, though I won't be at my computer tomorrow.

I want for all that was best in Diane - and there was a lot - to be remembered and live on after her; and what was worst in her to be forgiven.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Rahere (Jeremy Main)
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 04:50 PM

Bonnie,
I've been away on the Continent for a good many years, you may just remember me in the Jack Hayward gang in the 80s. After singing with CSH's House Choir for a year, I've just met up with a new Singer's Club at Bowes Park, and live not far away, at Oakwood (ie within a couple of miles of Diane's home). Your word is, of course, good enough for me. I don't greatly follow MudCat, so I've only just woken up to this, but I'm posting this as although it's too late to do any real good now, none the less there are folks on the ground who might be able to help if it turns out there's something needing to be done. I certainly discovered Borchester's postings and felt they made sense.
The Bowes Park club's only just started, under Cath Perry (used to run the CSH Saturday voice group) and Mary Blake. So I guess if there are loose ends, there are folks who can help without too much hassle. For example, her Facebook page remains open, so I'm wondering what happened next. Sometimes if they're hunting for heirs, the funeral may be deferred. Does anyone who knew her know if she had a family to take care of matters? If they don't know, don't suppose, the last thing anyone would want want is to impose. But on the other hand, if she were to face a Rigby funeral, I'd think we might want to do something about it.
I'll check back here in the morning, unless anyone really knows I'll check very quietly with the hospital - I'm passing in that direction anyway.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 09:34 AM

Thank you for your apology, Chris.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 31 Aug 13 - 07:43 PM

Sorry Lizzie. I made a mistake and I haven't looked at the board for 10 days now so didn't realise that an apology was expected. I accept that my comment might have sounded flippant and out of place but I genuinely thought for a moment that you were really Good Soldier Schweik. I don't post on Mudcat much now (too much unpleasantness) so I'm a bit out of touch. It wasn't meant as a criticism of you - I misread your comment, for which I sincerely apologise. Yes, I should have checked it properly - and I will in future.

As I said, Diane would have laughed at me for being so stupid but she wouldn't have thought I was being malicious. I'm not.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 09:33 PM

GSS, turning the discussion away from the subject of the thread has been the problem, is what has made it unrespectful.

Dear Readers,

The thread is being moderated and it will remain an obituary thread. If you were a friend or have a memory that contributes, then please post it. If you have the desire to change the subject, your posts will be deleted.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 08:49 PM

I miss Diane Easby.
I have no objection to any of Lizzies postings. What I find annoying are anonymous poster/ posters, who come on to this thread to cause trouble, please show some respect, this is an obituary thread.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 05:50 PM

So sorry to hear this sad news.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 03:38 PM

Perfect story Dave H. Absolutely sums Diane up to a T.

The other Dave, whoever you are, I am glad you are off this thread. Or, in words Diane would approve of, Fuck off.

Maggie - I did warn you.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 03:00 PM

I was just looking through my PM Archive at a message from Diane on May 25th 2010, the last one in fact, about 60s/70s writers, the last line made me burst out laughing,
' Colin Irwin is a twat, the people of Minehead collectively hate him because he said he " couldn't find " The Hobby Horse. '

How can you not love someone who still makes you laugh after they have gone, beautiful.

I wish she was still with us.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 02:49 PM

I felt most honoured the evening she came totally unannounced to the folk club I used to run.She was generous in her praise and that meant a lot.

thanks Diane

She was of a rare breed and is already missed by many.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 02:31 PM

I liked Diane's posts, I found her acerbic, informed and interesting.
I'm saddened to see another MC character gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 02:06 PM

This thread is a hot mess. I never crossed swords with Easby, but one has to feel a bit sorry for her after the not-so-tender ministrations she has received in this discussion. It falls into the "add insult to injury" category.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 01:36 PM

Diane and I did not always agree but she had some integrity and I am saddened at her death.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 01:21 PM

RIP Diane. It's such a pity that some have chosen an obituary thread of all things, to try to score points against Lizzie, who is merely trying in her own way to pay tribute to Diane. Those involved should be deeply deeply ashamed of themselves. Please don't bother with any self-righteous justifications. Once I've typed this I'm out of here once again. This thread has become very depressing indeed. I never, despite my long experience of the bad side of Mudcat, expected that anyone would stoop so low.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 12:35 PM

Well done and said, Bonnie. I haven't planted anything as our back is full of builders rubble (Don't ask!) but I will still raise a glass and start plans for the walk Diane and I talked about long ago.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 12:34 PM

Very nice, Bonnie!

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 12:29 PM

You guys know what I did this afternoon? I went out into the back field and planted blooming fuchsia and lemon balm and lavender. Now my garden is beautiful. My mind's in a lot better shape too.

When twilight comes I'm going to sit out there with a cool drink and watch the sunset and raise a parting glass.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Rain Dog
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 12:28 PM

I first encountered Diane on the BBC Folk board which in turn led me to this place. We exchanged a few pms here, especially in 2004 when she was not able to take up my offer of a ticket to see a certain performer in Hammersmith. I enjoyed reading most of her posts and will miss her from the various boards.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 11:50 AM

.... so, I'm returning from a year of self imposed exile.

I never knew or corresponded with Diane Easby
but actually feel some kind of sentimental loss.

I greatly admired and envied her abrasive wit and searing intellect.

I always entertained the idle notion
that if I ever did get round to posting any self produced recordings,
Her's would be the opinion/criticism I'd most respect and value..

no matter how scathing.........

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 11:21 AM

Lizzie. Stop digging. Nobody appreciates your rants. Having had many a conversation with Diane regarding you, I couldn't type her opinion of you and your attitudes. I'd be banned in perpetuity. Best to leave it, don't you think? Just a thought. She was 50 times the woman you'll ever be.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 11:09 AM

This thread is depressing on so many levels.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 10:33 AM

Sorry, but I can stand it no longer as well.

Lizzie, look at how many time you put 'I did' in your post. It's easy, you put them in caps. It is all about you and what you did. This thread is supposed to be in remembrance of Diane but once again you have tried to make it about you and appropriate it to your own ends.

Luckily I did know Diane on this forum, on others, by many personal mails, by lots of mutual friends and I can confirm what Ambridge Extra says. Your relationship with Diane was all one way. Just like your relationship with Show of Hands and Eliza Carthy. Diane did not want it. She really could not stand you and for you to pretend you had some sort of special relationship is both disrespectful and dishonest.

Please stop it now.

DtG.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 10:16 AM

"....but know this: Diane could not stand Lizzie Cornish. She loathed her. And there is nothing that would make her turn in her grave more than this self-serving, attention-seeking post-mortem fawning. Diane would have told MLC to fuck off in no uncertain terms. And I don't care if it makes mods or anyone else uncomfortable: as she isn't here to do it for herself, I am doing it for her..."

Well, well, I wondered how long it would be before you turned up again.

Sadly, for you, Diane and I DID write to each other..and I DID send her a get well card whilst she was in hospital recently..and I DID phone up and speak to the nurse on her ward to ask her to let Diane know her cats were being taken care of by some friends of hers who were sorting it all out...and the nurse DID tell me how worried Diane had been about them and now, she felt she'd be able to relax at long last, as she'd been in a real state about them since her admission...

And I DID start the thread asking others to help, as a 'Guest' because of foul folks like you who are so filled with hatred.

I chose not to be like you..

I've also chosen to dwell on the GOOD side of things in here..as have so many others.

Thanks anyway and have a nice day. xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 08:27 AM

Amen to that Bonnie - she was sometimes angry because she was passionate about music. She gave me a right bollocking about a comment I made on the Bulmer/Nic Jones thread a few years ago, but I was actually trying to support her argument at the time!

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Ambridge Extra
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 08:21 AM

You know, Diane loved a good scrap. What she hated was bullshit. What she would absolutely loathe if she were here to see it is the sickening fawning of MLC. So in her own words:

"What you refuse to understand is that Beer & Knightley just want you to SHUT UP. What they don't mind is criticism as long as it is informed and music-based. They understand that many (myself among them) far prefer some of their other projects to SoH which continues to strike me as over-produced and a tad bombastic. For this reason I have never seen a SoH set but wish them well and hope they make a living. I've never even met Steve K and have encountered Mr Beer only vaguely at a workshop. Thus, I neither "love" nor "hate" them but have come to admire them as people for enduring so bravely all the shit that MLC hurls their way. Do grow up, fuck off and LEARN SOMETHING before spouting any more drivel."

" 'Diane and I have been joking'

I am not joking. Nor was Phil Beer. Nor Eliza Carthy. Nor many others who don't (yet) say what they think about the embarrassment they suffer from MLC's destructive drivel so very publicly. Music fora are for exchanging information; they are not crazed fanzines. I come here to seek and to impart information on songs and tunes, not to see distasteful crap about "boysies". "

She said a lot more, and a lot more strongly, both in PMs and on threads over the years, but know this: Diane could not stand Lizzie Cornish. She loathed her. And there is nothing that would make her turn in her grave more than this self-serving, attention-seeking post-mortem fawning. Diane would have told MLC to fuck off in no uncertain terms. And I don't care if it makes mods or anyone else uncomfortable: as she isn't here to do it for herself, I am doing it for her.

Wherever you are, Diane: give 'em hell. I'm sorry we all let you down. xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 07:57 AM

well said,Bonnie.
I enjoyed Dianes posts on this forum, I shall miss her.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 06:02 AM

What Big Al said. Turned up to eleven.

Guest at 09:43, I realise everyone is entitled to free speech and their own opinions, but you could at least have the basic decency and courage to identify yourself.

Diane's friends were taking a little comfort from recalling her gentler side. What would it have cost you to let it lie?

Re cats, if the police knew in May that she'd died, they would have dealt with it in May. Someone must have had to go into the flat to carry out the necessary procedures, and hungry kitties would have been meowing and leaping at the door. Impossible to miss. I can't believe they were locked back inside unattended afterwards. The RSPCA or somebody would have brought them out and seen them into shelter. Maybe a neighbour even took them in.

Diane did certainly love those cats. They were her constant companions, while it took someone living in Iceland to ask that enquiries be made, when he got no response to constant attempts at communication with her. Think about that.

Please, no more fighting. PLEASE. Points have been raised, points have been answered. Now let it lie, and let Diane lie.

I want to be able to think of this thread as a gathering of friends. Feeling bad enough already.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Ellen Vannin
Date: 30 Aug 13 - 03:20 AM

Big Al - I think the problem for Diane's friends is that someone is claiming a friendship which did not, in fact, exist, and in terms - 'Sweetums' - which would have made Diane very angry. It's Diane's friends who are protesting against this grotesque behaviour on the part of someone whom Diane could not stand.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Bryony
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 10:38 PM

Gosh, I am shocked. I did meet Diane a few times as she was a big supporter of The Witches. She certainly knew her stuff and often sent me links to songs and tunes back on the BBC site...many of which were moderated away, much to her fury! How sad that we didn't find out sooner. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 10:14 PM

Oh Guest! Please have a care about Diane's friends feelings - whom she is now separated from.

She wasn't my mate. She was the only person I have ever refused to have as a friend on Facebook - I am ashamed to say. I think she could see I was in earnest about music - as much as herself - but she had no appreciation of the dilemma contemporary folk artists found themselves in the seventies - after the English folk clubs had been purged of the hated Yankee influence.

But thats all past and gone - and she was one of our number. She'd sat in the same clubs we had - formed different conclusions.

I know the time to say nice things about one's fellow humans is when they're alive to hear it. But nonetheless - Diana's friends were taking a little comfort from recalling her gentler side. What would it have cost you to let it lie?

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 09:43 PM

Open, closed
Opened, closed
Opened closed
Do we have a trigger happy Mod here or just some nasty comments?

Sweetums is probably the worst. Wait, no....it can't be. Can it?

She was a nasty bitch in print. Never met her in person but she lied about me, put words in my mouth,claimed I said things I never said, and I had no use for her.

No idea if she 'knew music' or not, but I'm betting that Liz (DCML) wasn't her best friend in spite of what Ms. Liz says....sweetums indeed.

Oh, and see to her cats please? four months after she dies? Cats dead, feral, re-homed. If Liz is such a GOOD friend, why didn't SHE take the poor pusses, or at least know about their homeless-ness sooner? Eh?

Eh? OH...right...it's Lizzie. Sorry. Diane, whoever, whatever you were, I wish you well on your new Journey.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 06:00 PM

Apart from a few short lines in another forum and on her Facebook page, this thread may be the only "remembrance book" Diane has, or ever will have.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 05:53 AM

Cheers, Kevin - it was great to reconnect with you too. I wish I could delete from my mental screen the image of her mail still lying there untouched three months later - and all that it implies - but I'll probably never quite manage it. Therefore I'm even gladder for the fun memories of our jolly boozy lunch together.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 05:01 AM

Glad we had that short time with Diane recently Bonnie. I don't think I could put thoughts better than you did.

Kevin

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,squeezy
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 08:24 AM

This is horrible news - and such sad circumstances.

I did meet her many times in person and all I can say is that face-to-face she was charming and intelligent and meeting her put the sometimes abrasive nature of her musings on various forums in to context - which was that she was very driven and passionate about music and particularly traditional music and had very strong views - but she was normally smiling when she conveyed them. I think that taught me a lot about the pitfalls of trying to discuss important things using only text with people you don't know much about.

Lizzie if you want to know what she looked like - here's a picture of Diane at a Bellowhead gig

RIP Diane

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Mike Rogers
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 07:37 AM

I always wanted to meet Diane, partly because she knew some people that I knew from way back, and partly because I suspected that there was humour, rather than malice, in some of retorts. Sad that she's passed gently.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Aug 13 - 07:13 AM

I was shocked to arrive home and open Facebook messages from Chris, first saying that he was asking a friend to call to her flat, then confirming the sad news. Even sadder that the only people who seem to care enough to make enquiries all live miles away. I wonder if there was even a funeral.

I met her for lunch last time I was in London, and (along with Kevin Shiels) had a great gabfest putting the folk world to rights, recalling old friends and reliving past times. I was so looking forward to getting together with her again, and taking that canal-side walk in Canonbury, near where I used to live, that we promised ourselves. She was a stalwart of another era, and it's devastating to think that one more of us is gone.

I can confirm what other people have said - that she was far nicer and gentler in real life than her peppery online persona would suggest. Also far more sensitive. We emailed each other quite a lot at one time (I think later on, eyesight problems made computer work difficult for her - she was going to Moorfields regularly, plus a whole slew of medical appointments in other areas). But it always baffled me that she could be such a great friend offline and then - too often - turn into Ms Hyde once she got anywhere near a forum. She once expressed private regret to me about how many people she had pissed off, prompting me to wonder (but not ask) why she wrote in such a provocative manner.

It's been a horrible time for losing people. I'm just home from California, where I've been attending my very ill father, who died while I was there. I had intermittent internet access, and the first time I popped my nose in here, it was to learn that our beloved Kat had passed. Then when I got back to my own computer and and looked at my Facebook messages, I found out from Chris that Diane was gone. Then here, only to learn about Bobbie Ritchie (R.I.P.). Interestingly, Diane had sent me an audio clip of Simon Ritchie (of whom she was a fan) as a Christmas greeting just this year past. So it's with a very heavy heart that I write this. In the immortal words of James Taylor:

Always thought I'd see you again.

Rest in peace, Diane

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 06:09 PM

You know, I would have loved to have actually *seen* Diane, in a photo. I've visualized her so often...

And leveller, I loved your post.. :0) x

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 02:56 PM

As Anahata said, Diane was surprisingly soft-spoken in person, if you only knew her via Mudcat. I never had an online fall-out with her myself, and I admire those above who have put past flamewars behind them to offer their tributes. Some of her posts were witty, most of them knowledgable, and some of them plain terrifying. All of which made her one of the 'must read' contributors here. A very sad loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 12:29 PM

She was certainly an interesting and lively member of this forum. I met her once at St.Albans when I played there with Markus. I don't know the area well, but I believe she made a considerable effort to get out. She was witty and engaging in person and I wish I had known her better.
Many people here knew her a lot better than I did, but I found her interesting for many reasons, not least for the fact that she too had lived in Germany. (She spoke fluent German and French to a level that she was able to work as a translator).
I am very sad to hear of her passing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Diane Easby [borchester echo] (2013)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 08:24 AM

Just caught up with this thread having been away for a week and I am very sorry to hear this bad news. Diane's knowledge of music, politics and grammar was unquestionable and she literally dared you to confront her. Yes, we clashed from time to time regarding folk music but the infuriating this was that while we both cherished the same values regarding the music, its portrayal and presentation, I nearly always found her coming at it from an opposite angle. When she did actually agree with you it seemed like you had achieved a profound victory!
We did correspond via Facebook and on PM occasionally where we got along very well; the greatest compliment she paid me was when David Sutherland, also from the North East, had done exceptionally well on Mastermind answering questions on The Child Ballads. Going on Facebook to confess that this person wasn't me she answered that she thought it wouldn't be "since it would be a bit of a hike to travel from Nottingham to Gateshead for work every day!"