The Loss of a Valued and Valuable Friend

I just received the devastating news that Annette Marcuson, a woman who shared her valued and valuable life with me for a brief interlude, has died after a short, intense battle with brain cancer.

A youthful, beautiful 72, Annette became one of Lynchburg's best artists--mostly spectacular landscapes--in retirement, and she was one of those responsible, as an employee of the City of Lynchburg, for the preservation of valuable buildings and neighborhoods downtown that might have otherwise been destroyed.

It is a special legacy, one of giving, of recognizing value, of finding salvation in art and architecture and people.

Few of us leave a lasting legacy that will be the equal of Annette's. Hers was a life of accomplishment, of stretching boundaries, of saving heritage, of thinking always of those who come after us. Her mark is indelible.

Annette was quiet, introspective, extremely intelligent, funny, affectionate, and one of the very best people I have known in my 3/4 of a century on earth.

Like so many of you, I consider myself fortunate to have known her, to have fond and loving memories of her, and to have some of our small adventures available to me in photos.

Annette was clearly a hero to me and, I think, to many others, as well.

I never said, "I love you, Annette," to her because I was never sure if it was appropriate. So, I will say it now, with more power than it could have had before: "I love you Annette. And I hope you will be there in spirit for as long as I am here."