ALLY

Just heard from Guido that our J-Land and Blogger friend Ally Wells passed away on the 8th July.

She was a lovely lady and was a great support to me during my illness.  We had known each other for nine years but lost touch when J-Land fell apart and Ally struggled with Blogger and eventually could not access her blog.

I did not know she was ill so her loss has come as a shock.  Condolences to herr daughter Lyn and family.

Goodbye my friend, thank you for your friendship and sleep well.


 

Watching my sister ... disappear

A very unusual entry on this memorial blog, but I think and trust you will find it appropriate.

In October 2003, Mary Louise Ross Harris started to write a blog "Watching my sister... disappear", about her sister Peggy, who had been diagnosed with a form of dementia called Pick's Disease. Over the following 6 years, Mary Louise would faithfully but with deepening sadness record the progression of the disease. Her last entry on Peggy's condition was in 2009. Peggy was by that time in a nursing home. A few days ago, she was transferred to a hospice. Today, at 1pm local time, she passed away.

Although Peggy did not write the blog (she was incapable of doing so), the fact that she was blogged about for so long more than qualifies her for a special post on this site.

Andy / Andy's Life

Andy died aged 60 around September 15th, 2012. He wrote a blog Andy's Life, which centered on his battle with cancer as well as his former employment with Southeastern Railways in England. Andy came across to me as a gentle soul who enjoyed his time with the railway, sharing stories from along the line with us. He appeared to have overcome cancer last spring, after another bout of radiation therapy on April 1st. However, he suffered a fall at the end of May, just before the last posting on his blog. He had been admitted to Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells. Judging by further updates on Facebook, Andy never got over that setback, and finally came to the end of the line in September.

My sympathies, on behalf of the community, to Andy's family and friends. I'll miss him.


Andy in the New Forest

Ray White / Dad's Tomato Garden

Ray White, who wrote "Dad's Tomato Garden" was called to his Heavenly home today (May 9th).

He fell from his bed after posting his last post Monday and broke his hip. Surgery was planned Tues, but was later post-poned for health problems. He was alert and talking earlier this morning, but passed away as he slept, while family were with him. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lavern. He is survived by his two children, Jim and Mary.

Ray, who was known to all of us at the old AOL J-Land as 'DAD', started his journal on August 28, 2003, nearly 9 years ago and had since written thousands of posts. He wrote a journal for years on AOL and then went to Blogspot with the rest of us journalist when AOL closed it's journal program down. Born on September 2nd 1913, He was recognized as America's oldest blogger in 2006 and continued writing in his blog right on up to only a couple of days before his death.

He once said that his purpose in starting his Journal was, " to help others all around the world to produce a good home grown tomato." He was passionate about tomatoes and grew between 50 and 75 plants each year, riding a golf cart in his later years to check on his beloved plants. Dad was a true Southern Gentleman. He never sold his tomatoes, but gave them away to neighbors and friends.

Though he began his journal as a help to others to grow tomatoes, it evolved into so much more. Dad enjoyed watching birds and provided them and the little squirrels who scampered about his yard with food and water. He even shared these pleasures with all of his readers by setting up web cams in his back yard! But best of all, his blog drew you in to it. It was a place to go and feel at home..to feel as if you were actually sitting on the front porch there in the cool morning air of the Tennessee mountains with Dad, sipping a cup of his good old coffee, while listening to the birds chirping. Dad always made you feel at home and at peace.

He wrote a post to his blog everyday except Sunday, always saving that day for His church meetings. If you look on his profile , you will see that his favorite book to read was...The Bible.

He ended one of his last posts this month with this...

"This is going to be all for today, I would like to come back in the morning, because I love you. Live For Others Every Day, It’s The True The Better Way"

Rest in peace DAD. You will be greatly missed by all.

With thanks to Carlene Noggle for writing this tribute

Frances Lawson

Frances Lawson has passed away this morning, at 6 am. Her granddaughter, Krysten, who kept us up-to-date over the past few weeks and months, announced the sad news today.

Frances was a kind and thoughtful person, who was part of the J-land community in spite of not being a blogger. She would comment, be in touch by email and for those in the States even by phone.

Last October, she was diagnosed with cancer, and in spite of chemotherapy, it spread rapidly. Latterly, it affected her to such an extent that she was unable to live independently, and her care was taken on by the hospice in Pittsburgh, Texas. This morning, she was granted blessed relief, as the expression goes, and passed away out of pain and suffering.

My short tribute does not really do Frances justice, as she had a positive influence on the lives of so many. As her Facebook account is now deleted, I do not have a portrait.  But the image that was on her FB account remains with me, and will always.

Frances, rest in peace. Although we did not meet in life, we may yet do beyond.

A bright star has gone from the Lone Star state.

Guido

Addition: this photograph shows Frances and her husband, the late Donald Sr Lawson.
Picture supplied by granddaughter, Krysten.

Larry Wayland

Lori Hickgal kindly compiled this tribute to blogger Larry Wayland (moondawg on AOL) who passed away on 9 December 2011.

The old Dawg RETIRED!! No Boss, No Time Clock, No Morning Rush, No Money, etc. was his mantra for the last few years. I guess he is officially retired for the endurance. I met him via AOL journals as he was a truck like my dad. A bond of common interest. I soon found out he was much much more that that early bond. He was a loyal good supportive honest trustworthy friend. I shall miss my sounding board who gave ear to my grievance. We also over time grew to lend support as our mothers were both failing not only in body but age. His mother left him in March of this year. He has now Joined her. He had survived major heart issues last year in Nov and fought his way back from near death. I guess to get his mom thru her final days and be there for me after the death of My Grandson from SIDS. .

Former long-haul OTR trucker (11 yrs); Automobile Technician (12 yrs); Restaurant Manager (3 yrs); Played guitar in 2 bands that never went anywhere.

He had said of himself he was a Lifelong history buff. Unpublished writer and frustrated journalist. Other than the time in J land I did a tag team story book. He could take a story some place you never expected it to go. He was great at coming up with a story line that was unsuspected. You can still see some remnants of that here on Wayback time machine A JournallandNovel

He had a journal on AOL under the name of Moondawg for a journal he labeled Moondawgs parking lot. Here is the web archive for that. Moondawgs Parking Lot

He has as many of us did moved to Facebook to begin connections all over again. I know this world is sorely missing a blessing by his passing yet Heaven gained another star! Im sorry some did not get to meet him and others never got know him. He was a friend of all time and gentleman in the sincerest for of the word.
The online guest book can be found at this site: Guest Book

Carol Martinez

It is with deep sadness that I have to report the death of fellow blogger Carol Jeanne Martinez (Carolhehe on AOL) who used to write Gypsy Paths. A year ago last August, she reported that she had been diagnosed with cancer, but the problems started as early as 2009. Chemotherapy was to no avail in the end, and Carol passed away peacefully at home on 28 September 2011, at the comparatively early age of 60. Carol was buried ten days later. A motorcycle procession was held in her honour to Plymouth WA, before her interment. Further details in her local paper.

Carol, you fought valiantly against an intractable foe. I am pleased you are now beyond pain and suffering, but hope those that are left behind will be given the strength needed to cope with your loss.

Sam Shafer / Say it Baldy

On 29 June 2011, Sam passed away at the age of 91. I copy a comment from his blog, posted by his daughter:

Sam Shafer Sam Shafer, 91, World War II veteran. Served in Southwest Pacific. Sam witnessed the first official Japanese surrender at a small island ‘IeSHIMA’ near Okinawa. Sam passed away June 29. He is preceded by his wife, Mary Jane in 1996, and daughter, Rebecca Ouellette on June 9. He is survived by his two older sisters, their families, his sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sam drove for Greyhound bus-lines for 32 years.

Rebecca Robertson / Journeyzpath

Rebecca Robertson, known to us in J-land as journeyzpath, has passed away after a battle with breast cancer. I have been unable to track down her old AOL journal, and have found only snippets of old comments on other people's blogs. I believe she discontinued her blog at the time of the Jland break-up in 2008, and has taken herself off Facebook a while ago. Not everybody is prepared or able to record the progression of a serious disease like breast cancer on the Internet.

Rebecca was a life-coach and I remember her blog as being along those lines. I am genuinely sad to hear of her death, as she was a good soul. Her star has now set below the horizon of life, but her pain and suffering at least are at an end.

Another Sad Loss

Guido only recenlty heard of the passing of another blogging who, apparently, was a graphics maker as well. He was only 46. I did not know him personally but if anyone does and wishes to leave a tribute please contact me and I will post it. Also, if anyone has a photograph of him for the sidebar.

His name was Alvia Meekens Jr. May he rest in peace. 
Alvia passed away on 11 April 2011.