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Archive through February 28, 2010

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: January 2010 ~ April 2010: Free Expressions: Passings: Archive through February 28, 2010 users admin

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Pippin04
Member

10-26-2007

Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 9:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pippin04 a private message Print Post    
Alexander McQueen passed away this morning in his London home. The fashion industry lost a great icon today. RIP :-(

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 9:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
i just read that too. he was only 40 or 41.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 7:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Reports now say it was suicide. He has been depressed since his mum died and he hanged himself :-(

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 4:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
LONDON – Dick Francis, the best-selling British thriller writer and former champion jockey, died on Sunday in his home in the Cayman Islands. He was 89.

A successful steeplechase jockey, Francis turned to writing after he retired from racing in 1957. He penned 42 novels, many of which featured racing as a theme. His books were translated into more than 20 languages, and in 2000 Queen Elizabeth II — whose mother was among his many readers — honored Francis by making him a Commander of the British Empire.

His son Felix said he and his brother, Merrick, were "devastated" by their father's death, but "rejoice in having been the sons of such an extraordinary man."

"We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life," Felix said in a statement. Francis' spokeswoman Ruth Cairns said the writer had died from natural causes, but did not elaborate.

During his writing career, Francis won three Edgar Allen Poe awards given by The Mystery Writers of America for his novels "Forfeit" (1968), "Whip Hand" (1979) and "Come to Grief" (1995).

He also was awarded a Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers' Association for his outstanding contribution to the genre. The association made him a Grand Master in 1996 for a lifetime's achievement.

Aside from novels, Francis also authored a volume of short stories, as well as a biography of British jockey Lester Piggot.

In recent years Francis wrote novels jointly with son Felix, including "Silks" (2008) and "Even Money" (2009). A new novel by the two, "Crossfire," will be published later this year.

"It is an honor for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels," Felix said in his statement.

Richard Francis was born Oct. 31, 1920, as the younger son of a horse breeder in Tenby, South Wales. During World War II he joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 and was stationed in the Egyptian desert before being commissioned as a bomber pilot in 1943, flying Spitfires, Wellingtons and Lancasters.

A few years later he returned to his father's stables and became a steeplechase trainer's assistant. Later, as a professional jockey, he won 345 of the more than 2,300 races he rode in between 1948 and 1957, taking the title of Champion Jockey for the 1953-54 season.

His most famous moment in racing came just a few months before he retired, when, riding for Queen Elizabeth, his horse collapsed inexplicably within sight of certain victory in the 1956 Grand National.

Despite his many successes, he had expressed regret at never winning the prestigious Grand National.

"The first one I rode in I was second, and the last one I rode in I won everywhere except the last 25 yards. I would love the opportunity of having another go, but it's a young man's job," he said once during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp.

Francis' first book, published in 1957, was his autobiography, titled "The Sport of Queens." His first novel, "Dead Cert," came out in 1962 and was followed by a new title every year since.

He also worked for years as a racing correspondent for Britain's Sunday Express, and retired in the British Caribbean territory of the Cayman Islands.

Francis is survived by his two sons as well as five grandchildren and one great-grandson, Cairns said. A small funeral will be held at Francis' home on Grand Cayman, followed by a memorial service in London, she said, but could not say when they would be held.


Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 4:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
I was a fan of his writing. He was very talented!

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 5:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
Oh, no! I loved his books!

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 5:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
I loved his books, too - they were always my fun summer reads.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Monday, February 15, 2010 - 7:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
I'll never forget 'Bolt'. That concept has stayed with me all these years.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 10:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Kathryn Grayson passed away at age 88. She was always a favorite of mine and made me want to be an opera singer.

It was hard to pick a youtube video, but I really liked this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieTpurj3tCU&feature=related

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 10:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Here is her official website:

http://kathryngrayson.com/

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 11:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
Oh no! I loved her books.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 11:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Twiggy, you may be thinking of someone else. I don't believe Kathryn Grayson was an author.

This is Kathryn Grayson:



Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 12:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
:-( RIP Ms. Grayson.

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 1:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
NOOOOOOOOO!!! Aw, dang. I love her musicals from the glory days of MGM.

Chaplin
Member

01-08-2006

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 6:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chaplin a private message Print Post    
Did you hear all the false stories about singer Gordpn Lightfoot dying this week? Apparently he went to the dentist and was put under to have dental surgery and the next thing he knew when he awoke was someone was all over on the internet and in the news spreading rumours he had died! He said he had to phone all 5 of his kids before they turned on the news or saw any stories!

Unrelated Canada lost their last WWI soldier who was 109 years old. Mr Babcock went to all the November 11 ceremonies in Ottawa till he was 103. He lived in Washington State, but was Canadian. He was 16 when he signed up for action near the end of the war and someone found out he was 16 so got him a desk job helping as a medical assistant! Then the war ended before he could technically fight although he apparently was quite a good shot and was totally trained so was considered a decorated veteran.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 7:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
I thought his life was interesting enough to post this whole article:

Canada's last WW I veteran dies
John Babcock's death at age 109 marks 'an end of an era' Canada's last known First World War veteran, John Babcock, has died at age 109, the Prime Minister's Office says.

Born on an Ontario farm in 1900, Babcock enlisted to join the war at the tender age of 16. He lied about his age to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Sydenham, Ont., and arrived in England a few months later.

Because of his age, Babcock wasn't allowed on the front lines. The truth about his age caught up to him. So in August 1917, Babcock was sent to the Boys Battalion — 1,300 young soldiers training until they were old enough to fight the Germans.

But peace came first — the war ended a few months after Babcock's 18th birthday. He never saw front-line action. Ninety years later, he expressed regrets about being a "tin soldier" who didn't see combat.

"I think if I had a chance, I would have gone to France, taken my chances like the rest of them did," he said in 2007. "A lot of good men got killed."
In the 1920s, Babcock moved the United States and later served in the U.S. Army, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1946. At the time, dual citizenship was not allowed, so Babcock had to give up his Canadian ties.

Babcock married Dorothy after the death of his first wife, Elsie, about 30 years ago. Despite his age, he still liked to go to his favourite restaurant where he would flirt with all the waitresses before ordering a burger and fries.

His son, Jack Jr., said his father could come across as a polite elderly gentleman with plenty of stories to tell, but he was also strong-willed.

"He's humble and bashful about being the last guy and very realistic about it. But you don't do what he's done in his lifetime without getting a little self-assurance."

At his 107 birthday party in 2007, Babcock said he was touched by the good wishes.
"It means a hell of a lot. It means very much to me because although I'm an American citizen, I still love Canada," he said.

During an April 2008 visit at his home from Canadian Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson, Babcock mentioned that he'd like to get his Canadian citizenship back. Thompson encouraged him to contact Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Babcock did so immediately, writing a note on the nearest sheet of paper, which happened to be decorated with pictures of American flags and teddy bears, according to a Canwest News report. "Dear PM," the note said, according to the report. "Could I have my citizenship restored? I would appreciate your help. Thank you, John Babcock."

Thompson presented the note to Harper during a recent cabinet meeting, and Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean agreed to grant Babcock his citizenship. Canadian officials flew to Babcock's home for an official swearing-in ceremony.

"We are proud to welcome Mr. Babcock back into the Canadian family and to honour the service he gave our country," Harper said in a release at the time. "He symbolizes a generation of Canadians who, in many ways, were the authors of modern Canadian nationhood."

Babcock spent his final years living in Spokane, Wash. On Thursday night, Harper issued a statement in Ottawa mourning his death.

"As a nation, we honour his service and mourn his passing," Harper said. "The passing of Mr. Babcock marks the end of an era."

Babcock was the last link to the 650,000 Canadian men and women who served in the First World War, Harper noted.

"His family mourns the passing of a great man. Canada mourns the passing of the generation that asserted our independence on the world stage and established our international reputation as an unwavering champion of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law."

Kookliebird
Member

08-04-2005

Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 7:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kookliebird a private message Print Post    
Too bad there are borders in the world. Mr Babcock was definitely a citizen of both Canada and the US. Nice story.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Monday, February 22, 2010 - 9:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Lionel Jeffries
1926-2010

This is a clip from Around The World In 80 Days, I believe. I love him in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNpWBMNyC0w&feature=related\



Erniesgirl
Member

06-26-2006

Saturday, February 27, 2010 - 3:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Erniesgirl a private message Print Post    
Marie Osmond's 18 son committed suicide Friday.
http://www.etonline.com/news/2010/02/84476/index.html

Erniesgirl
Member

06-26-2006

Saturday, February 27, 2010 - 3:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Erniesgirl a private message Print Post    
Andrew Koenig Hanged Himself in Vancouver Park

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/report-andrew-koenig-hanged-himself-in-vancouver-park/36578

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, February 27, 2010 - 4:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
How horrible for Marie and family! This is just so tragic. I guess he suffered from depression all his life.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 2:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- Caroline McWilliams, the veteran actress known for her portrayal of a number of characters on Broadway and the television as well, passed away last week. She was 64 years of age at the time of her death,. There is some dispute about the cause of her death, with some sources claiming that the official reason has not been provided. However, it is known that she had been suffering from some sort of physical ailments, and it is possible that she had succumbed to the complexities. Caroline McWilliams leaves behind her son, Sean Douglas, who was born out of her marriage to actor Michael Keaton, and her sisters Norma Liedtke, Patty McWilliams and Kelly-Jo Dvareckas.

Caroline McWilliams‘ death on Feb 11 is mostly being attributed to multiple myeloma, which she had been suffering from. In the past few days, the ailment had developed severe complication, and it is being speculated that she had succumbed to that, although no specific cause of death has reportedly not been released by the family. She passed away at her residence, in the presence of her family and acquaintances.

Caroline McWilliams was one of the cast members of “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” when it was first produced on Broadway. Other than that, she was also seen in a number of other Broadway productions, like “The Rothschilds” and “Bocaccio.”. Besides acting in Broadway productions, Caroline McWilliams was also seen regularly on television in shows like “Guiding Light,” “Benson,” “Soap,” “Judging Amy” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” Her career in television and the Broadway panned a time frame of some decades. Moreover, Caroline McWilliams was also seen in a number of films, for example, “Mermaids.”



I feel really bad about this. I was always happy to see her in show.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 4:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
Awww, I had no idea who she was until I scrolled down enough to see her pic. She was a great character actress.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 6:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
I loved her in Benson, prayers are going out to her family

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 10:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I always liked her too. Remember her mostly from Benson. Gone too soon.