Val Kilmer, who played Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” channeled as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone‘s “The Doors” and starred in several other 1980s favorites, has died. He was 65.
@f00l@heartny@Kyeh Yes, he had cancer in 2015 & battled it for a couple of years, then had some ongoing health effects from it, like needing a feeding tube at some point, but he ended up dying from pneumonia. Please get your vaccines, people, especially those of us with chronic health conditions. It’s especially important now that we’re bringing back all the classics–tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, polio & God only knows what else is waiting in the wings.
“Defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the once-powerful archbishop of Washington, D.C., who was removed from the priesthood amidst one of the worst sexual-abuse scandals in the history of the American Catholic Church, has died at the age of 94 in Missouri…”
@shahnm For once, I agree with you on something. McCarrick can join Cardinal Bernard Law in the flaming pit of Hell for eternity. Even that isn’t punishment enough for either of them.
“Still working to get official confirmation and cause of death, but I can report from sources that veteran actor Nicky Katt has passed away, at age 54. Katt will quickly to mind for his memorable turn as the high school Texan tough Clint Bruno, who picks a fight with Adam Goldberg’s Mike Newhouse, gets a beer poured over his head, and pummels the existentially tortured teen in Rick Linklater’s 1993 gem Dazed and Confused…”
"Vaughn P. Drake Jr., a Kentuckian believed to be the oldest survivor of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, has died at the age of 106, according to his family.
Drake passed away on April 7 in the Lexington, Kentucky, area, where he grew up, according to his obituary published on the website of the Milward Funeral Home in Lexington…"
Well, my friend lost his battle with rectal cancer. He fought hard for two years and was able to spend most of that time surrounded by those who loved him. He will be sorely missed
@Kidsandliz thank you. Funeral was on Saturday, and it was a bit overwhelming. There were several hundred people there, many that we grew up with. Coolers outside, where you could catch up and talk about what an amazing person he was.
Most of his flowers were blue and gold and he had a beautiful spread of colored carnations in the shape of the blue note.
@heartny@Kyeh
We were leading a group of homeschool student on a tour in Europe when they announced his papacy.
I remember we were on the train coming back from Pompeii to Rome and the train suddenly just stopped on the tracks for no apparent reason. 10 minutes later it was announced that he had been elected and the train resumed it’s journey. It was a fascinating process.
Quarter two is always exciting with lots of potential for growth and change! I’m curious to see which industries will take the lead. Traditionally, tech and renewable energy have shown strong performance during this period. It’ll be interesting to watch how emerging markets adapt and respond to current global challenges. Let’s keep an eye on how these sectors evolve. What are everyone else’s predictions?
Hall of Famer Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a stalwart member of the dominant Chicago Bears famed “46 defense” of the 1980s who ranks second in franchise history with 92.5 sacks, died at age 67, the NFL announced Wednesday.
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021…
One of the great Americans of our age, David Horowitz, died on Tuesday at the age of 86.
David Horowitz was one of the towering intellects and most perceptive thinkers of the late twentieth century and early twenty-first; he was also a man of unusual courage and remarkable vision…
@Kyeh@tinamarie1974
I have a lot of fond memories of LAUGH-IN back in the day… so much talent tied to that show. She was definitely one of the highlights for me. And her wit and delivery was always spot on.
RIP Ruth…
@Kyeh
I hadn’t heard of her death. About 40 years ago I took care of her mother while she was in a nursing home in Mystic CT. She was so proud of Ruth and had lots of pictures hanging, she loved to talk about her.
@Kyeh
Yeah it was pretty neat! And no, she didn’t have much of a sense of humor. She was also very depressed. She had dementia and was pretty much alone with no visitors. I usually did one on one private duty care but once in a while I filled in per diem on the floor. Because the other workers weren’t very kind (not to me, not to each other, not to anyone) I felt bad for the residents and I’d go visit with some of them whenever I could. I was so intrigued by the elderly back then. I just loved sitting there listening to their stories!
Jim Dent grew up in the caddie yards of Augusta, Georgia, eventually working at the Masters and honing his game at the municipal course known as “The Patch.” He went on to become one of the PGA Tour’s longest hitters and one of the top Black golfers of his generation.
Dent died on Friday at age 85, a week before his birthday, his grandson posted on Facebook. The PGA Tour said on its website that Dent suffered a stroke the day after Augusta National announced plans for Tiger Woods to design a par-3 course at The Patch…
At 1:10pm EST today 5/6 my mother died. I was at her side as was one of my sisters and that sister’s husband. I am so glad I made it there in time (I drove 1084 miles one way).
@Kidsandliz Sometimes when I hear of the death of a loved one, I am reminded of these touching and heartfelt words. I hope you like these words as much as I do.
[Letter to Miss Elizabeth Hubbart]
Philadelphia, 23rd February, 1756.
I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature that these mortals bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living. A man is not completely born until he be dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?
We are spirits. That bodies should he lent us while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, for in doing good to our fellow-creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves, in some cases, prudently choose a partial death. A mangled, painful limb which cannot be restored we willingly cut off. He who plucks out a tooth parts with it freely, since the pain goes with it; and he who quits the whole body parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases which it was liable to or capable of making him suffer.
Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure which is to last forever. His chair was ready first and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together, and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow and know where to find him?
Thank you all for your condolences. While she needed to die as her quality of life was terrible that is still hard on the living. I was just glad I got there in time as I didn’t with my dad - I was flying there from the other side of the county and he died while I was in the air. I found out when changing planes because no one picked up when I called the room he was in. (No one in the family had cell phones then).
I got home late last night after a long two day drive. We are having the memorial service later to give people a chance to make plans, buy cheaper air fare… Mom was the last of her generation on both sides of my family and so the funeral will be mostly attended cousins, grandkids… and her few remaining friends. As my uncle said, when his mom died at 99, “Now I’m an orphan.”.
Sabu, legend of pro wrestling’s ‘hardcore’ style, dies at 60
Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans as Sabu, was credited with popularizing “hardcore” wrestling in the U.S., as well as the use of tables as a must-see object in matches.
Sabu, a “hardcore” professional wresting legend whose real name was Terry Brunk, has died at 60 years old, World Wrestling Entertainment announced Sunday…
…Sabu’s cause of death was not released Sunday, and it was not clear when he died.
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — José Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter who became a symbol of national reconciliation after he disarmed and was elected president of Uruguay, and whose frugal living earned him the nickname “the world’s poorest president,” has died. He was 89.
His death was announced Tuesday by Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our friend, Pepe Mujica. President, activist, leader and guide. We’re going to miss you very much, dear old man. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your profound love for your people,” Orsi wrote on social media.
Mujica had said in January that his esophageal cancer had spread to his liver and that he would forgo further medical treatment…
@rockblossom@shahnm@tinamarie1974 as soon as we saw this I bet we akl let out a collective “NORM”. I know I did… mamy thanks for the many laughs, George
@mossygreen@rockblossom That brings back long-forgotten memories. The shopping mall that used to be here had a store front for survey-taking! And people would accost you outside of it and ask if you’d like to take a survey … I did one once for salad dressing ads.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee…, died Wednesday morning, his family said. He was 75.
… He announced in April that his esophageal cancer had returned despite “grueling treatments,” and that he would not be running for re-election in 2026…"
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died. The team confirmed his death in a statement Wednesday evening.
Irsay was 65.
“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon," Pete Ward, the team’s chief operating officer announced…
“Professional hunter and TV personality Phil Robertson, best known for his role on the series “Duck Dynasty,” has died. He was 79.”
"In an emotional May 25 Instagram post, Robertson’s son, Willie Robertson, and daughter-in-law, Korie Robertson, confirmed Phil died after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease…
"Charles Rangel, the longtime U.S. congressman from New York City and the last surviving member of the “Gang of Four,” has died. He was 94.
Born in Harlem, Rangel was a member of the House of Representatives for 46 years. He was a Korean War veteran and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus…
Marcel Ophuls, legendary French documentary director, has died at age 97.
His films examined difficult subjects and sometimes shattered French national myths.
His most famous film is probably The Sorrow And The Pity, about the majority of the French who were not “resistance”, but who just tried to get by during WWII, often by collaborating in small or large ways.
(This disputing your fav myth of De Gaulle that the entire nation was in resistance during the war)
He also did major documentaries in war crominal Klaus Barbie (won an Oscar), and on other difficult subjects.
Curiously he originally set out to make light films and comedies and after those failed he started on documentaries
He was the son of legendary filmmaker Max Ophuls.
He started Life as a German Jew and his family had the flee to France as Nazis came to power
Then they fled to Spain and then the United States where he became a citizen
After the war was ended he went back to France first to fail at making light movies and then to succeed at making difficult documentaries
Derringer played with Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and Alice Cooper and produced six albums by “Weird Al” Yankovic alongside prolific solo career
Rick Derringer, the guitarist and songwriter who scored hits with “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and a cover of “Hang on Sloopy” while working with everyone from Steely Dan to “Weird Al” Yankovic, died on Monday. He was 77.
Derringer’s death was confirmed by his friend, Tony Wilson, on Facebook. “Derringer’s legacy extends beyond his music, entertaining fans with his signature energy and talent,” Wilson wrote. “His passing leaves a void in the music world, and he will be deeply missed by fans, colleagues, and loved ones.”
No cause of death has been given, though an official Facebook page for Derringer and his wife had detailed several health issues in recent months, including ankle bypass surgery (which creates a new pathway for blood to get around a blocked artery)…
Peter Kwong, actor and martial artist, passed away at the age of 73 He played many character roles on TV series but became best known for playing ‘Rain’, one of the three elemental gods in “Big Trouble in Little China”.
Ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, who was known as “America’s Cop” and led the city’s police department through the 9/11 terror attacks, died Thursday after he was hospitalized with cardiac disease…
Alf Clausen, the Emmy-winning composer whose music provided essential accompaniment for the animated antics of “The Simpsons” for 27 years, has died.
His daughter Kaarin Clausen told The Associated Press that Alf Clausen died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles after struggling with Parkinson’s Disease for about a decade. He was 84…
Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, who grew up on the Side Side and worked and traveled with the band Kool & the Gang, died May 25 following a car accident in suburban Atlanta…
My aunt (dads sister) died last week. Her son, which I didn’t know very well bc my dad and him didn’t get along (really nobody in the family got along with him) died 27 days before her. She never got to bury him bc she went into the hospital 4 days after he died and never made it home. Double funeral today and tomorrow.
Actor Jonathan Joss — best known for his voice work on the iconic animated TV comedy “King of Hill” — was shot dead by a neighbor in Texas, according to police.
Joss, who voiced “John Redcorn” on the long-running cartoon, got into an argument with the neighbor at his home in San Antonio Sunday night when the neighbor pulled out a gun and shot him several times, police said…
EAGAN, Minn. – Longtime Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall, who for decades held the NFL record for most consecutive games played, died Tuesday after a long hospitalization, according to the team. He was 87…
Anne Burrell, a chef and television personality whose joyful demeanor made her a beloved fixture on the Food Network, has died, according to the network. She was 55.
@f00l@Kyeh looks like the last revision was about 2011. Mine is the original. But I could be wrong and figure out when the last one was done it has been revised a few times. And I swear there was a second book specifically geared to Growing older but where they are I’m not going to go try to look
FedEx founder Frederick Wallace Smith, whose express shipping company revolutionized air cargo transportation and set the standard for absolutely, positively overnight delivery, died of natural causes on June 21 in Memphis, FedEx has confirmed. He was 80…
Mick Ralphs, a guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died at the age of 81.
Hmm, almost 82 like some of the previous folk.
@heartny Aw. One of the reasons he joined Bad Company was to have Paul Rodgers sing Ready For Love, because he didn’t like his own version with Mott the Hoople. It does get a little screechy, and I respect his opinion as an artist and the writer, but I find his less-polished performance more human and vulnerable.
/youtube mott the hoople ready for love / after lights
Bobby Sherman, Teen Idol and ‘Here Come the Brides’ Actor, Dies at 81
He came to fame as a singer on ‘Shindig!’ and had top 10 hits with “Little Woman,” “La La La (If I Had You),” “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” and "Easy Come, Easy Go.
@heartny@Kyeh@llangley I have a stack of teen magazines squirreled away somewhere that are mostly David Cassidy and the Jackson 5. I should figure out where they are.
I know I’m late (but not THAT late) but I missed saying RIP 2024!
Val Kilmer, who played Bruce Wayne in “Batman Forever,” channeled as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone‘s “The Doors” and starred in several other 1980s favorites, has died. He was 65.
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/val-kilmer-dead-batman-forever-tombstone-1236354606/
@heartny
So young!
@heartny @Kyeh
I think he had some form of cancer maybe
he played a dying character in top gun Maverick
@f00l @heartny Yes, that linked article said throat cancer.
@f00l @heartny @Kyeh Yes, he had cancer in 2015 & battled it for a couple of years, then had some ongoing health effects from it, like needing a feeding tube at some point, but he ended up dying from pneumonia.
Please get your vaccines, people, especially those of us with chronic health conditions. It’s especially important now that we’re bringing back all the classics–tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, polio & God only knows what else is waiting in the wings. 
I will watch Real Genius in memory of his life.
@heartny I’m your Huckleberry.
@yakkoTDI @zhicks1987 I am the Lizard King, I can do anything.
@heartny Iceman, noooo!!!
@heartny He added the word “peck” to my vocabulary.
Joe DePugh, 75, inspiration for Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days”
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bruce-springsteen-tribute-joe-depugh-glory-days-1235937523/
@ircon96
Always liked that song…
May this epic asshole NOT rest in peace.
Disgraced former Cardinal McCarrick dies at 94
https://www.ncronline.org/news/disgraced-former-cardinal-mccarrick-dies-94
“Defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the once-powerful archbishop of Washington, D.C., who was removed from the priesthood amidst one of the worst sexual-abuse scandals in the history of the American Catholic Church, has died at the age of 94 in Missouri…”
@shahnm For once, I agree with you on something. McCarrick can join Cardinal Bernard Law in the flaming pit of Hell for eternity. Even that isn’t punishment enough for either of them.
@shahnm in this case they say that you should only speak good of the dead.
He’s dead. Good.
Jay North, ‘Dennis the Menace’ Star, Dies at 73
He played the young mischief maker on the CBS comedy for four seasons and was in ‘Maya,’ a movie and TV show.
www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jay-north-dead-dennis-the-menace-1236182969/
An Actor’s Actor, Nicky Katt, Dies At 54: Sources
https://deadline.com/2025/04/nicky-katt-dead-at-54-sources-dazed-and-confused-1236367180/
“Still working to get official confirmation and cause of death, but I can report from sources that veteran actor Nicky Katt has passed away, at age 54. Katt will quickly to mind for his memorable turn as the high school Texan tough Clint Bruno, who picks a fight with Adam Goldberg’s Mike Newhouse, gets a beer poured over his head, and pummels the existentially tortured teen in Rick Linklater’s 1993 gem Dazed and Confused…”
@shahnm He was great in The Way of the Gun.
Super Bowl champion Don Hasselbeck suffers fatal cardiac arrest at age 70
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-14611491/Super-Bowl-champion-Don-Hasselbeck-fatal-cardiac-arrest-age-70.html
“Former NFL tight end Don Hasselbeck, who won a Super Bowl in his nine-year career and was the father of two quarterbacks, has passed away at age 70.”
Hasselbeck’s son, Matt, said his father died after going into cardiac arrest at his home…"
Oldest known survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack dies at age 106
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/oldest-survivor-pearl-harbor-attack-dies-age-106/story?id=120820811
"Vaughn P. Drake Jr., a Kentuckian believed to be the oldest survivor of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, has died at the age of 106, according to his family.
Drake passed away on April 7 in the Lexington, Kentucky, area, where he grew up, according to his obituary published on the website of the Milward Funeral Home in Lexington…"
@shahnm
We are diminished.
Wink Martindale game show host
https://apnews.com/article/wink-martindale-dead-d2f333da86b6efb3b99b36bb7a71a7a4
@llangley many a summer day in the 70s spent watching his game shows. That is after my grandmother finished her stories.
Well, my friend lost his battle with rectal cancer. He fought hard for two years and was able to spend most of that time surrounded by those who loved him. He will be sorely missed
I send my condolences to you, @tinamarie1974. I’m sure you have many memories of him that some day will bring you smiles again.
@tinamarie1974 I am sorry to hear that.
@tinamarie1974 Oh, I’m so sorry.
He was lucky to have such a supportive wonderful friend as you.
@tinamarie1974
Oh terribly sad! I’m sure you were there as much as you could be.
@yakkoTDI @italianscallion @kyeh @f00l
@tinamarie1974
Be comforted by the knowledge that you were a beacon of light during a time of darkness in his life.
You are both better for it.
@tinamarie1974 That is so hard. I wish strength to all his friends and family whom I know miss him terribly.
@Kidsandliz thank you. Funeral was on Saturday, and it was a bit overwhelming. There were several hundred people there, many that we grew up with. Coolers outside, where you could catch up and talk about what an amazing person he was.
Most of his flowers were blue and gold and he had a beautiful spread of colored carnations in the shape of the blue note.
He was loved
@tinamarie1974 Thank you for sharing that, it sounds like it was a beautiful tribute to him. May his memory be a blessing…
@tinamarie1974
I’m so sorry for your loss. Good friends are hard to come by, cherished memories will be in your heart forever.
Pope Francis has died aged 88
https://www.unilad.com/news/world-news/pope-francis-dies-age-88-005853-20250225
@heartny He was just out in public for Easter yesterday!
https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a
@heartny @Kyeh
We were leading a group of homeschool student on a tour in Europe when they announced his papacy.
I remember we were on the train coming back from Pompeii to Rome and the train suddenly just stopped on the tracks for no apparent reason. 10 minutes later it was announced that he had been elected and the train resumed it’s journey. It was a fascinating process.
Which Pope? The one in Rome or the one in Avignon?
@zhicks1987
Are you having some trouble keeping up with current events? You’re about 650 years late!
Quarter two is always exciting with lots of potential for growth and change! I’m curious to see which industries will take the lead. Traditionally, tech and renewable energy have shown strong performance during this period. It’ll be interesting to watch how emerging markets adapt and respond to current global challenges. Let’s keep an eye on how these sectors evolve. What are everyone else’s predictions?
@Marshara I predict you might be a spammer in waiting. This thread is about people who have died in the second quarter of 2025.
@troy - I would keep an eye on this one.
@troy @yakkoTDI AI spam?
@Marshara
Not cool man.
Hall of Famer, Bears icon Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael dies at age 67
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44823944/hall-famer-bears-icon-steve-mongo-mcmichael-dies-age-67
Hall of Famer Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a stalwart member of the dominant Chicago Bears famed “46 defense” of the 1980s who ranks second in franchise history with 92.5 sacks, died at age 67, the NFL announced Wednesday.
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021…
Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein accuser, dies
https://www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/cql67qk0dd3o.amp?amp_js_v=0.1&_gsa=1#webview=1
“Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has died by suicide aged 41, her family has confirmed…”
David Horowitz: A Great Warrior for Freedom Has Passed Away
https://www.frontpagemag.com/a-great-warrior-for-freedom-has-passed-away/
One of the great Americans of our age, David Horowitz, died on Tuesday at the age of 86.
David Horowitz was one of the towering intellects and most perceptive thinkers of the late twentieth century and early twenty-first; he was also a man of unusual courage and remarkable vision…
Jill Sobule
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/jill-sobule-i-kissed-a-girl-dead-1236384525/
Ruth Buzzi, famed as dowdy purse slinger on ‘Laugh-In,’ dies at 88
(Gift article, not paywalled) https://wapo.st/42Wf5YN
@Kyeh
@tinamarie1974 I know … she was so great!
She posted on Xitter and was hilarious, as you might imagine:
@Kyeh oh my gosh, that is all hilarious
@Kyeh @tinamarie1974
I have a lot of fond memories of LAUGH-IN back in the day… so much talent tied to that show. She was definitely one of the highlights for me. And her wit and delivery was always spot on.
RIP Ruth…
@Kyeh
About 40 years ago I took care of her mother while she was in a nursing home in Mystic CT. She was so proud of Ruth and had lots of pictures hanging, she loved to talk about her.
I hadn’t heard of her death.
@Lynnerizer Wow, how cool! Was she funny like her daughter?
@Kyeh
Yeah it was pretty neat! And no, she didn’t have much of a sense of humor. She was also very depressed. She had dementia and was pretty much alone with no visitors. I usually did one on one private duty care but once in a while I filled in per diem on the floor. Because the other workers weren’t very kind (not to me, not to each other, not to anyone) I felt bad for the residents and I’d go visit with some of them whenever I could. I was so intrigued by the elderly back then. I just loved sitting there listening to their stories!
Jim Dent, pioneering Black golfer, dies at age 85
https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/44984308/jim-dent-pioneering-black-golfer-dies-age-85
Jim Dent grew up in the caddie yards of Augusta, Georgia, eventually working at the Masters and honing his game at the municipal course known as “The Patch.” He went on to become one of the PGA Tour’s longest hitters and one of the top Black golfers of his generation.
Dent died on Friday at age 85, a week before his birthday, his grandson posted on Facebook. The PGA Tour said on its website that Dent suffered a stroke the day after Augusta National announced plans for Tiger Woods to design a par-3 course at The Patch…
At 1:10pm EST today 5/6 my mother died. I was at her side as was one of my sisters and that sister’s husband. I am so glad I made it there in time (I drove 1084 miles one way).
@Kidsandliz I’m so sorry. I’m glad you were able to get there to be with her.
@Kidsandliz @Kyeh
Glad you could get there in time. I know having family around my mom when she passed was very comforting.
@Kidsandliz
@Kidsandliz
So sorry to hear that, Kidsandliz. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
@Kidsandliz so very sorry, but as everyone has said, I am so glad you were there to help ease her transition.
Sending hugs.
@Kidsandliz
Glad you got there.
Condolences. I know it’s tough for the living, and will be so for quite a while.
@Kidsandliz so very sorry
sending love and hugs 
@Kidsandliz Please accept my deepest sympathies.
@Kidsandliz I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. Glad you made it there to be with her. My deepest sympathies for you and your family.
@Kidsandliz Sometimes when I hear of the death of a loved one, I am reminded of these touching and heartfelt words. I hope you like these words as much as I do.
[Letter to Miss Elizabeth Hubbart]
Philadelphia, 23rd February, 1756.
I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature that these mortals bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living. A man is not completely born until he be dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?
We are spirits. That bodies should he lent us while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, for in doing good to our fellow-creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves, in some cases, prudently choose a partial death. A mangled, painful limb which cannot be restored we willingly cut off. He who plucks out a tooth parts with it freely, since the pain goes with it; and he who quits the whole body parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases which it was liable to or capable of making him suffer.
Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure which is to last forever. His chair was ready first and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together, and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow and know where to find him?
Adieu,
B. FRANKLIN
@ItalianScallion @Lynnerizer @Pavlov @llangley @f00l @tinamarie1974 @shahnm @yakkoTDI @chienfou @kyeh
Thank you all for your condolences. While she needed to die as her quality of life was terrible that is still hard on the living. I was just glad I got there in time as I didn’t with my dad - I was flying there from the other side of the county and he died while I was in the air. I found out when changing planes because no one picked up when I called the room he was in. (No one in the family had cell phones then).
I got home late last night after a long two day drive. We are having the memorial service later to give people a chance to make plans, buy cheaper air fare… Mom was the last of her generation on both sides of my family and so the funeral will be mostly attended cousins, grandkids… and her few remaining friends. As my uncle said, when his mom died at 99, “Now I’m an orphan.”.
Again, I appreciate your condolences. Thank you.
Supreme Court Says Retired Justice David Souter Has Died at Age 85
https://www.breitbart.com/news/supreme-court-says-retired-justice-david-souter-has-died-at-age-85/
Sabu, legend of pro wrestling’s ‘hardcore’ style, dies at 60
Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans as Sabu, was credited with popularizing “hardcore” wrestling in the U.S., as well as the use of tables as a must-see object in matches.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/sabu-legend-wrestling-hardcore-style-dies-60-rcna206159
Sabu, a “hardcore” professional wresting legend whose real name was Terry Brunk, has died at 60 years old, World Wrestling Entertainment announced Sunday…
…Sabu’s cause of death was not released Sunday, and it was not clear when he died.
Uruguay’s ex-President José Mujica, nicknamed ‘world’s poorest president,’ dies at 89
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5288793/uruguay-jose-mujica-dies
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — José Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter who became a symbol of national reconciliation after he disarmed and was elected president of Uruguay, and whose frugal living earned him the nickname “the world’s poorest president,” has died. He was 89.
His death was announced Tuesday by Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our friend, Pepe Mujica. President, activist, leader and guide. We’re going to miss you very much, dear old man. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your profound love for your people,” Orsi wrote on social media.
Mujica had said in January that his esophageal cancer had spread to his liver and that he would forgo further medical treatment…
George Wendt, who played the perpetual barfly on Cheers was 76. NORM!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/george-wendt-cheers-dies-76-rcna208080
@rockblossom
@rockblossom @tinamarie1974
@rockblossom @shahnm @tinamarie1974 as soon as we saw this I bet we akl let out a collective “NORM”. I know I did… mamy thanks for the many laughs, George
@rockblossom @shahnm @tinamarie1974
@rockblossom
@mossygreen @rockblossom That brings back long-forgotten memories. The shopping mall that used to be here had a store front for survey-taking! And people would accost you outside of it and ask if you’d like to take a survey … I did one once for salad dressing ads.
@Kyeh @mossygreen @rockblossom oh yeah. I forgot about those poor people that did surveys. I would try to avoid eye contact as I scurried past.
@rockblossom
Rep. Gerry Connolly, top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, dies at 75
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-gerry-connolly-top-democrat-oversight-committee-dies-75-rcna208183
WASHINGTON — Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee…, died Wednesday morning, his family said. He was 75.
… He announced in April that his esophageal cancer had returned despite “grueling treatments,” and that he would not be running for re-election in 2026…"
Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner, dead at 65
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2025/05/21/jim-irsay-indianapolis-colts-owner-dies-65/83778824007/
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died. The team confirmed his death in a statement Wednesday evening.
Irsay was 65.
“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon," Pete Ward, the team’s chief operating officer announced…
Phil Robertson, ‘Duck Dynasty’ patriarch, dies at 79 after Alzheimer’s diagnosis
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/05/25/phil-robertson-dead-duck-dynasty/83858724007/
“Professional hunter and TV personality Phil Robertson, best known for his role on the series “Duck Dynasty,” has died. He was 79.”
"In an emotional May 25 Instagram post, Robertson’s son, Willie Robertson, and daughter-in-law, Korie Robertson, confirmed Phil died after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease…
@shahnm the world is now a slightly better place
Charlie Rangel, longtime Congressman from Harlem, dies at 94
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/charles-rangel-dies-u-s-representative-harlem-nyc/
"Charles Rangel, the longtime U.S. congressman from New York City and the last surviving member of the “Gang of Four,” has died. He was 94.
Born in Harlem, Rangel was a member of the House of Representatives for 46 years. He was a Korean War veteran and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus…
Marcel Ophuls, legendary French documentary director, has died at age 97.
His films examined difficult subjects and sometimes shattered French national myths.
His most famous film is probably The Sorrow And The Pity, about the majority of the French who were not “resistance”, but who just tried to get by during WWII, often by collaborating in small or large ways.
(This disputing your fav myth of De Gaulle that the entire nation was in resistance during the war)
He also did major documentaries in war crominal Klaus Barbie (won an Oscar), and on other difficult subjects.
Curiously he originally set out to make light films and comedies and after those failed he started on documentaries
He was the son of legendary filmmaker Max Ophuls.
He started Life as a German Jew and his family had the flee to France as Nazis came to power
Then they fled to Spain and then the United States where he became a citizen
After the war was ended he went back to France first to fail at making light movies and then to succeed at making difficult documentaries
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/marcel-ophuls-the-oscar-winning-filmmaker-who-forced-france-to-face-its-wwii-past-is-dead-at-97/ar-AA1FvDvz?ocid=Aloha
Rick Derringer, Guitar Journeyman Behind ‘Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,’ Dead at 77
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rick-derringer-dead-obituary-1235348825/
Derringer played with Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and Alice Cooper and produced six albums by “Weird Al” Yankovic alongside prolific solo career
Rick Derringer, the guitarist and songwriter who scored hits with “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” and a cover of “Hang on Sloopy” while working with everyone from Steely Dan to “Weird Al” Yankovic, died on Monday. He was 77.
Derringer’s death was confirmed by his friend, Tony Wilson, on Facebook. “Derringer’s legacy extends beyond his music, entertaining fans with his signature energy and talent,” Wilson wrote. “His passing leaves a void in the music world, and he will be deeply missed by fans, colleagues, and loved ones.”
No cause of death has been given, though an official Facebook page for Derringer and his wife had detailed several health issues in recent months, including ankle bypass surgery (which creates a new pathway for blood to get around a blocked artery)…
Peter Kwong, actor and martial artist, passed away at the age of 73 He played many character roles on TV series but became best known for playing ‘Rain’, one of the three elemental gods in “Big Trouble in Little China”.
Bernie Kerik, former NYPD Commissioner known as ‘America’s Cop’ after 9/11, dead at 69
https://nypost.com/2025/05/29/us-news/former-nypd-commissione-bernie-kerik-dead-at-69/
Ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, who was known as “America’s Cop” and led the city’s police department through the 9/11 terror attacks, died Thursday after he was hospitalized with cardiac disease…
@Kyeh
RIP “Hot Lips”
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/science/robert-jarvik-dead.html
Robert Jarvik. Designer of the artifical heart
Valerie Mahaffey
I loved her in Young Sheldon.
https://apnews.com/article/valerie-mahaffey-cancer-northern-exposure-1c0ed36a9baabbabdac1f403005563f6
@llangley
Alf Clausen, Emmy-winning composer who wrote music for ‘The Simpsons’ for 27 years, dies at 84
https://apnews.com/article/alf-clausen-dead-simpsons-emmys-225e08b61256fb3874ecc71def0fe905
Alf Clausen, the Emmy-winning composer whose music provided essential accompaniment for the animated antics of “The Simpsons” for 27 years, has died.
His daughter Kaarin Clausen told The Associated Press that Alf Clausen died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles after struggling with Parkinson’s Disease for about a decade. He was 84…
Kool & the Gang’s Michael ‘Chicago Mike’ Sumler dies at 71
https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2025/05/30/mike-sumler-chicago-mike-dies-at-71-obituary-kool-and-the-gang
Michael “Chicago Mike” Sumler, who grew up on the Side Side and worked and traveled with the band Kool & the Gang, died May 25 following a car accident in suburban Atlanta…
My aunt (dads sister) died last week. Her son, which I didn’t know very well bc my dad and him didn’t get along (really nobody in the family got along with him) died 27 days before her. She never got to bury him bc she went into the hospital 4 days after he died and never made it home. Double funeral today and tomorrow.
@Star2236
That’s terrible. So sorry for your loss(es.)
@Star2236
That’s a huge thing for your family. So sad to hear this.
@Star2236 So sorry for your and your family’s losses.
@shahnm
Thank you everyone for the kind words
@Star2236
So sorry for your loss Star. Healing prayers…
‘King of the Hill’ voice actor Jonathan Joss killed in Texas shooting after argument with neighbor
https://nypost.com/2025/06/02/entertainment/king-of-the-hill-voice-actor-jonathan-joss-killed-in-texas/
Actor Jonathan Joss — best known for his voice work on the iconic animated TV comedy “King of Hill” — was shot dead by a neighbor in Texas, according to police.
Joss, who voiced “John Redcorn” on the long-running cartoon, got into an argument with the neighbor at his home in San Antonio Sunday night when the neighbor pulled out a gun and shot him several times, police said…
@shahnm
That’s crazy!
@shahnm omg
Vikings great Jim Marshall, who played in 282 straight games, dies
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45444339/vikings-great-jim-marshall-played-282-straight-games-dies
EAGAN, Minn. – Longtime Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall, who for decades held the NFL record for most consecutive games played, died Tuesday after a long hospitalization, according to the team. He was 87…
Sly Stone, Funk-Rock Pioneer Who Led the Family Stone, Dies at 82.
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/sly-stone-dead-funk-rock-pioneer-family-stone-1236423831/
@heartny
Brian Wilson, Beach Boys Co-Founder, Dies at 82
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/brian-wilson-dead-beach-boys-1236428336/
@heartny God only knows what we’ll do without him…
Morris the Alligator of “Happy Gilmore” and other Hollywood movies, around 80 years old
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/15/morris-alligator-happy-gilmore-dies
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/minnesota-state-lawmakers-shot-search-underway-suspect-local-media-reports-say-2025-06-14/
Melissa Hortman, Minnesota State Dem assassinated today, another lawmaker shot
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/14/democratic-lawmakers-minnesota-shot
Anne Burrell, a chef and television personality whose joyful demeanor made her a beloved fixture on the Food Network, has died, according to the network. She was 55.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/17/entertainment/anne-burrell-food-network-chef-death
@heartny Oh, wow - that’s a shock!
@heartny @Kyeh
Sure was, I just saw that yesterday!
@heartny @Kyeh @Lynnerizer
Wow, no cause of death either. I used to watch worst cooks in America all the time.
Strangely enough, another Burrell - the remarkable jazz musician Charlie Burrell, at age 104!
https://www.cpr.org/2025/06/17/classical-bass-legend-charlie-burrell-dies-at-104/
Lou Christie, “Lightnin’ Strikes” and “Rhapsody in the Rain” Singer, Dies at 82
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/lou-christie-dead-lightnin-strikes-1236294814/
/youtube Lightnin’ Strikes
I kind of loved the song even though I thought the guy in the lyrics was a douche.
@Kyeh 82 seems to be a bad age, noting that Sly Stone and Brian Wilson were also that age when they recently passed away.
@heartny Oh, you’re right! Kind of like 27.
Norma Meras Swenson, co-founder of Our Bodies Ourselves, dies at 93
https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/05/23/norma-meras-swenson-our-bodies-ourselves-obituary
This was groundbreaking once. Some conservative churches had sermons against the book.
@f00l I actually have a copy of it
@Cerridwyn @f00l Sadly it would probably get banned these days if it was republished.
@f00l @Kyeh looks like the last revision was about 2011. Mine is the original. But I could be wrong and figure out when the last one was done it has been revised a few times. And I swear there was a second book specifically geared to Growing older but where they are I’m not going to go try to look
@Cerridwyn @f00l I think I heard about the growing older one too; I haven’t seen it.
@Cerridwyn
I had a copy of it once.
Could use a replacement.
@Cerridwyn @f00l I’m pretty sure I still have mine somewhere.
Fred Smith, FedEx founder and American business magnate, dies at 80
https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/money/industries/logistics/2025/06/21/fred-smith-fedex-founder-dies-obit/4307117001/
FedEx founder Frederick Wallace Smith, whose express shipping company revolutionized air cargo transportation and set the standard for absolutely, positively overnight delivery, died of natural causes on June 21 in Memphis, FedEx has confirmed. He was 80…
Mick Ralphs, a guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of the classic British rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has died at the age of 81.
Hmm, almost 82 like some of the previous folk.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/23/entertainment/mick-ralphs-bad-company-dies-intl-hnk
@heartny Aw. One of the reasons he joined Bad Company was to have Paul Rodgers sing Ready For Love, because he didn’t like his own version with Mott the Hoople. It does get a little screechy, and I respect his opinion as an artist and the writer, but I find his less-polished performance more human and vulnerable.
/youtube mott the hoople ready for love / after lights
Bobby Sherman, Teen Idol and ‘Here Come the Brides’ Actor, Dies at 81
He came to fame as a singer on ‘Shindig!’ and had top 10 hits with “Little Woman,” “La La La (If I Had You),” “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” and "Easy Come, Easy Go.
www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bobby-sherman-dead-teen-idol-here-come-the-brides-1236298235/
@heartny damn. Makes me think of Tiger Beat magazine. And, of course, “Here Come The Brides”.
He was one of my early heartthrobs.
@heartny @llangley
/youtube the Simpsons bobby sherman
@heartny And he would have been 82 in less than a month!
@heartny @llangley Tiger Beat!
@heartny @Kyeh
@heartny @Kyeh @llangley I have a stack of teen magazines squirreled away somewhere that are mostly David Cassidy and the Jackson 5. I should figure out where they are.
@heartny @llangley @mossygreen I think you must have a fascinating collection of stuff.
Lynn Hamilton - Fred Sanford’s girlfriend
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/arts/television/lynn-hamilton-dead.html
https://apnews.com/article/bill-moyers-dead-eed7ecae0e20c2db4b82500996916dfe
@Cerridwyn
Well damn.
Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell