the empty window

The reason we came home to Seattle now was to celebrate the life of our longtime  (30 years) neighbor, Victoria, at a lovely service in the Unitarian Church she was once head of.  She raised 2 families, they both spoke with very similar stories of her elegance, her strength, her commitment to the earth (she was a relentless recycler) and healthy living, her intelligence, her wit, her toughness, her love of literature and her adventureness.   She was an inspiring history teacher. She and her sister started a Wednesday walker group that walked in the alpine, coast, , or city every week. They are still at it, but less. She and her second husband Fred hiked the west coast trail before it was popular.  We boated with them to the north of Desolation sound on several occasions and she inspired us with stories of their cabin on the BC coast near Pender Harbor  (we built ours in accordance to their suggestions) and having the grandchildren there alone without parents. ( good idea!)   She was privileged with East coast Schooling, had lunch with relatives with FDR in the White House, but so  down to earth, kind, always very positive (“ it’s perfect!”)  and a fabulous neighbor     She died at 96, frail in body and mind but providing so many fond memories.   I’m not sure how long it will take before I always unconsciously look to see if she is still sitting in her favorite spot in this window.   Fred had a fine family and friends gathering here after the service . (Our condo was represented 100% —more than any other time I can remember) . he deserves some rest now. hiking on the coast next week.


the window today after the guests left (with annoying reflection)  and inset, my last picture of her (with devoted husband) June 10.  She died on June 26, after a fall breaking her hip and arm and spending 3 days in a hospital.  Mercifully not longer. . 


Here's a blip of her  in the window 3 years ago (before the new paint job) with another link.     We will miss her but remember oh so many positive memories.