OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Willie-O
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 12:50 PM

Now how the hell did that happen? Every day at noon or so, I suddenly can't get throught to the Cat. So I didn't think those posts were going through since the forum home page wasn't updating. I guess the server can receive posts even when it isn't able to refresh...???

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Willie-O
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 12:18 PM

I have heard so many kind words from so many people, many of whom are remembering their own departed parents. It's the natural way of things, far better the children bury their parents than the other way around. But I feel an ache for Val and the rest of you like Catspaw whose parents were taken far too soon. For myself, I feel a sad sense of completion.

I'll see you at Lana's memorial service tomorrow, Val. Take care, all.

Love
Bill

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Willie-O
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 11:59 AM

I have heard so many kind words from so many people, many of whom are remembering their own departed parents. It's the natural way of things, far better the children bury their parents than the other way around. But I feel an ache for Val and the rest of you like Catspaw whose parents were taken far too soon. For myself, I feel a sad sense of completion.

I'll see you at Lana's memorial service tomorrow, Val. Take care, all.

Love
Bill

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 09:36 AM

I empathise with you both. We lost our Mother at around this time last year.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 09:32 AM

And the same goes here CH.......When you can, also join us for the conversations and the music. You too, are missed here by many of us. Come back and spend some time again.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 03:31 AM

We'll be here, Val, anytime, you just come when you can and when you need, or just plain want to! And, thanks for checking in with us. It is good to hear from you and from Willie-O.

Anything I can do, anything, please send a PM or email, not sure if you have my new email or not. I'll send it to you.

All my love, peace and wishes for ease of mind and heart,

kat

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Crowhugger
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 12:33 AM

Everyone,

Your kind expressions of warmth, love, support...I'm left speechless. It's an amazing feeling to check in here after being away at Mom's, or more accurately at the residence, then with her 24/7 at the hospice. I stop in to Mudcat and find not only do you remember me despite my absence, but that you are heaping on the love and strength and good thoughts! Thank you all so much. Clearly you know this is a time when one urgently needs all kinds of support and I sincerely appreciate the many kind words given here.

As with the previous thread about my Mom's illness, I'm sure I'll come back to this one for the comfort of re-reading the postings.

CH.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: SharonA
Date: 19 Oct 01 - 06:43 PM

Oh! Thanks for clearing that up, Willie-O. In my post above I was addressing you as well as Val; my thoughts go out to the other Bill and to Heather as well.

Sharon

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Willie-O
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 09:31 PM

"My condolences, Val, Bill, Heather and Willie. Hold onto their love, for it is still with you"

Well ain't that the truth. Thanks An.

If anybody is baffled by the four names above, Val's husband is in fact a Bill, as of course am I, me, Willie-O. That is to say I am a different Bill. I'm not sure whether Animaterra knows this, but you do now. Sort of. I think. Oh ouch my head.

Willie-O
aka Bill (Cameron)

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: SharonA
Date: 18 Oct 01 - 05:13 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss, Val and Bill. Embrace the memories of your loved ones, and hold them dear. Be as supportive as you can be of your surviving parents as they grieve the loss of their life-partners.

My mother passed away suddenly, over three years ago. Though the initial shock has worn off, I still catch myself every so often thinking that I should call her, or need to buy her a birthday card, or some such. But my father (her husband of 55 years) still aches deeply for her all the time. So cherish the parents you still have with you, and help them to live on. All my best thoughts are with you.

Sharon

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 08:42 PM

My condolences, Val, Bill, Heather and Willie. Hold onto their love, for it is still with you.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: black walnut
Date: 17 Oct 01 - 02:07 PM

I'm sorry for you both, Val, and Bill. I have such good memories of Lana from The Woods 2000. She was such a warm and passionate person. I'll never forget that beautiful smile....

~black walnut

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 08:05 PM

Thanks for this thread Bill. I am sorry to hear about your dad passing away.
Val, this is not an easy time, thats for sure. Best to be kind to yourself. My thoughts are with you.
Love Bonnie

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 12:54 PM

Very sorry to read about these, all. Sympathy all around, and the best of memories. Many of you know how my dad was killed (earlier terrorism), so I am glad for you, although you may not be glad for yourselves yet, that you and your lost parents had time, on the way down this last path, to say goodbye. The memories are what allow the lost ones their immortality, indeed.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: little john cameron
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 11:55 AM

Great memories o' faither Wullie.That's whit we leave behind. ljc

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Willie-O
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 11:51 AM

Absolutely true, Kim. We were fortunate enough that Dad never got to the condition where he didn't know who we were. There is indeed a time. And another good thing, while you're struggling with coping with the progression of the disease, you tend to mistake the disease for the person, with all its attendant changes of character and behaviour, and limitations in functioning. Now we can step back a bit and actually, get the real George back, in memory.

Thanks. And here's to everyone's lost loved ones.

Bill

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Kim C
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 11:27 AM

Gosh, y'all. I am so, so sorry. My dad died over a year ago and I miss him all the time, especially when there are really neat things happening and I wish I could tell him. But I guess he knows anyhow. Sometimes I look up in the sky at night and there seems to be one star brighter than all the others. ;-)

Mister's grandmother died a couple of weeks ago... she was 95 and like Willie-O's dad, in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's, and had been for at least a couple of years. I consider that we said goodbye to her a long time ago, because at some point the person we knew had ceased to exist. In some ways that is harder than death, because you have to watch your loved one deteriorate before your very eyes, and there is nothing you can do but wait for the inevitable.

To everything there is a purpose, and a time to every season under Heaven.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Fortunato
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 08:50 AM

I saddened by your losses, Crowhugger and Willie0. I hope for you it is as if they are not gone, but simply not in sight today, and still close by. Best, Chance

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Big Mick
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 08:44 AM

Well, Bill, the wheel has turned.........it is you making me cry, now. I shall take a trip to the hill on the next full moon and let the old Low D have her head in honor of your Da, George Cameron. He sounds like a gent that I would have liked to had a jar with. God be good to him.

Mick

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 07:32 PM

Ya know Willie............That was just real well done and simply, wonderfully beautiful. My Dad has been gone almost 30 years, my Mom almost 35. Not a day goes by that I don't think of them. You have much in his memory to treasure.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 03:41 PM

Thank you, Willie-O. Beautifully done.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Willie-O
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 08:55 AM

You're all very kind. I was going to post the obituary notice for Lana, which Val wrote of course, but can't find that section of the $%^&*( paper. Here's something I wrote about Dad though.

My dad, George Ewen Cameron, was born in Glasgow a few months before the First World War started. (Something which continues to amaze me the more I think about it.) His family emigrated to Canada in 1919, settling in Winnipeg.

My dad was a complicated Scottish soul. He was a gifted scientist, a fine piano player, a dedicated and unrepentant socialist and a student of history. He could have been a successful artist had that been the path he chose; I have seen some drawings he did as a teenager and they are stunningly detailed work. I have no idea why he didn't keep it up, and hardly ever drew during my lifetime, except that he was a multi-talented man and his interests and choices took him elsewhere.

Many of my friends enjoyed great friendships with my dad, for his openness, sense of humour and tendency towards fiery leftist rhetoric made him a person you could have a memorable conversation with over a glass of whiskey. As I mentioned, he was a musician, and he was a big supporter of my own musical endeavours. In fact, I have had more different jobs than any normal person, and he was proud of me when I was a cab driver, a literacy teacher, a musician, a forestry technician, or whatever it is I'm doing now. Didn't matter to him as long as I was doing something that was useful to somebody. The fact that he was a highly educated scientist, as he explained pointedly to me many times, didn't make him any different from anyone else in the working class, which he firmly believed is composed of everyone who has to work for a living.

He was far from perfect, could be acerbic and cutting, yet easily offended despite his easy-going nature. (Say, that doesn't sound like anyone you know, does it?)

Dad's final years were very difficult. He was suffering from both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's on top of the myotonic dystrophy which he had for his entire life. He stayed at home, thanks to Mom's heroic efforts, until the last week of his life, and died peacefully in his sleep at 4 a.m. this past Monday at the Perley Rideau Veteran's Residence, where he was receiving excellent round-the-clock palliative care since he lost consciousness Friday afternoon. Thankfully, pneumonia took him before he reached the stage of the disease where the patient doesn't remember those closest to him. He always knew who we were.

Please don't sorrow for his passing or for my family and myself; seeing him lying still was infinitely less painful for me than watching this extremely intelligent man struggle for breath, for words, and for thoughts. We loved him but we have let him go.

Dad loved a good concert, of any kind. We took him to see Natalie MacMaster a couple of years ago, at his request after he saw her picture in the paper. (Yes, he always had an eye for the women and was an affectionate greeter--he claimed it was a Scottish thing.) And I brought him to Archie Fisher concerts twice--Dad and Archie are both Glasgow-born. One of my fondest memories will be the past few months when I played for him as he lay in his bed, which he rarely left this year. Music made him so happy. Emily and I sang to him for the last time on Sunday, with no idea whether or not he could hear anything. But we're glad we did.

He was a Scottish Canadian working class intellectual and he fought the good fight.

Annnnhhhh, I'm gettin all misty again.

Bill

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Troll
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 07:28 AM

Val and Bill. I am so sorry that you have lost someone dear to you. Even when you know that it's probably coming, it still hurts. I wish that I had words of wisdom to ease that pain, but I don't.
I have been where you are now and I remember the feeling but time has dulled the memory of the pain and I am left with only the good memories of my Dad. May it be so for you.

troll

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Deni
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 07:21 AM

Love to you both.This poem helped me a lot, here's a little snippet, if you want the rest, just ask.

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.

(and it ends)

I am waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near
just around the corner
All is well.

by Henry Scott Holland 1847 - 1918

Love deni

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: sian, west wales
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 04:41 AM

Very, very sorry for your troubles.

sian

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Mudlark
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 03:05 AM

My sincerest condolences to you both....sending you srength to help you through this difficult time.

Nancy

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 02:44 AM

We're really sorry for both of you. As you may know Heather just lost her Mom, and her Dad's been pretty sick lately, so everytime we hear that "overseas" ring from the phone, we both jump a bit. Our condolences.

Rick and Duckboots

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 01:37 AM

Sorry for your loss, and my sincerest condolences.

Seamus

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: JenEllen
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 12:48 AM

Bill and Val;
I'm truly sorry to hear this, may comfort come to you both.
Jen

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Chip2447
Date: 15 Oct 01 - 12:31 AM

Your memories keep them alive in your heart, my condolences to you both...
chip2447

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Bert
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 11:32 PM

Love and hugs and kind thoughts.
Bert & Tree

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: DancingMom
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 11:06 PM

My condolences on the loss of Crowhugger's Mom and Willie-O's Dad. My father-in-law had Alzheimer's and passed away in May after surgery. May you find comfort in friends and family and in your sweet memories. Sharon

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 09:48 PM

Whoooppppsssss!!!!!

Another confirmation that we are all mortals!

Eat, Drink, and Sing Songs, Folks....for tomorrow we die.

Sincerely, Gargoyle

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: alison
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 09:35 PM

so sorry to hear about your losses......

many hugs from over here in australia

love

alison

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 08:31 PM

One of the highlights of my time as a Mudcatter was a trip to Toronto with the Swan's. We gathered at Rick and Heather's abode and had a wonderful time. At that gathering I met Bill and Val. To say that I enjoyed them would be a gross understatement. These are folks with huge hearts and a load of talent. It seems that in a very short time, I got very attached.

Val and Bill, know that MaryLou, Ciara, and I are saddened at the loss that each of you have endured. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers.

I hope we can see each other soon.

Mick

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 07:04 PM

Thats so sad. I have no advice. I only hope you are all well and have good friends and good times ahead.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: CarolC
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 06:25 PM

Deepest sympathies to you both.

Carol

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 05:57 PM

I'm so sorry about your mom, Crowhugger. She was obviously such a neat woman. Like most of us here, I was pulling for her.

Sorry for your loss, Willie-O. It's always hard, it seems.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 05:51 PM

Celebrate their lives. Be grateful for the time you had with them. It will ease the loss. Be well.
Mary

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Morticia
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 03:42 PM

My warmest regards and condolences to you Bill and to Val.I am so sorry.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 02:23 PM

Oh Val and Bill, I am so sorry. I know it was expected on Lana's part and I am sorry not to have known about your dad, Bill, but that doesn't make it any easier.

I have enjoyed hearing about Lana, so much and it was obvious from the postings by people who knew her, just what an incredible and determined woman she was. Val, darlin', I know from our past visits that you and she shared a special link with your music. May the memories of those times, as well as others, sustain you through the next while. My mom has been gone now for 2.5 years and I am only now realising just what a profound effect there has been in my life at her loss.

Bill, I am truly sorry about your dad. May you both find solace in your frienships and music, as well as with family. Thank you very much for keeping us informed about Val and Lana.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: RichM
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 01:14 PM

Condolences, sympathy and hugs to Crowhugger and Willie-O.

It's difficult to say goodbye to a beloved parent.

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Amos
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:55 PM

Willie-O and Crowhugger,

You have my sympathy, and my fondest wishes for a strong transition for all involved. The change from being parented to being without parents, or even one parent, is a strange transition; and the transition being experienced by your lost parents, even stranger, I expect. But I hope that all four of you can find the strength to move forward with calm, and that you two will soon grace the world again with your inestimable talents, as your parents did before you.

Warmest regards,

Amos

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:48 PM

Ah Val....I am so sorry. I always feel so inadequate when trying to express how I feel at times like this. Perhaps that's true of most of us because I've been where you are and watched and listened to others struggle in the same way.

I guess it came to me best at the death of my best friend. My nephew said, "Uncle Pat must have a big hole in his heart now." When Connie told me that, it suddenly occurred to me that I really didn't. I missed him right away, just as I missed my parents, but there was no hole in my heart. Great people, be they friends or parents, can never leave a hole in your heart because who they were and the memories of joy they leave behind not only fill the hole, but overflows it as well. We carry those stories, those memories, and we share their lives with others as the years pass..........and that is true immortality.

My best to you Val....and to you Bill.

Pat

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:28 PM

Val and Lana have been in my thoughts and prayers often, and I appreciate the update.

I am sorry not to have realized your situation with your own dad, Willie-O. If you need to talk, any time, please know I would be pleased to listen.

~Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Giac
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:26 PM

So very sorry to hear of your loss, Val, and of yours, Bill.

Love and hugs to each of you.

Mary

Subject: RE: OBIT: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: sophocleese
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:22 PM

Hugs, sympathy and strength to both of you Willie-O and Crowhugger. May the memories shine brightly.

Subject: Loss of parents: Crowhugger, Willie-O
From: Willie-O
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 12:13 PM

Sadly, I must report that Lana, Crowhugger's Mom, passed away on October 5 while undergoing hospice care for her cancer.

I talked to Val (Crowhugger) yesterday, and we had a mutually supportive conversation. My dad, George Cameron, died 3 weeks ago at the age of 87, after apparent heart failure/pneumonia. He was in a fairly advanced Alzheimer's so it was no great surprise.

Val is currently at her mother's house with no net access, so she asked me to pass her news along.

Lana was only 65, she lived a full life but not a long enough one. She was a fine singer, an interpreter of traditional music in the Odetta vein, and a most intelligent and straightforward woman, who is already missed in the local music community around Perth, Onatario.

Lana's memorial service is at First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave, Ottawa, Oct 23 at 1 p.m.

Put your notes in this thread, and Val will see it later on. Drop me a personal if you want to contact her directly.

I'll talk a bit about my dad later on.

Very sadly,
Bill Cameron aka Willie-0