Obit: Susan Barnes (31 Jan 2008)

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes (31 Jan 2008)
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 03:54 PM

Well, the final curtain has descended and goodbyes have been said in the last of the public forums. I'll let this thread pass on into the archive.

In the near future I expect to be posting some more thoughts about my sister as well as the lyrics of the eulogy song I did at the funeral in my blog on MySpace at SouthernCelt so drop by my page (personal page, not the music page) if you'd care to read any of it.

When I get the lyrics posted, those of you familiar with Jed Marum's music will realize that I've co-opted one of his songs, "Banks of the Mobile," and rewritten about half the lyrics. I've posted something so Jed is aware that I did that; hopefully he won't think I've butchered what is a great song in the original form. I opted to do a song primarily because I felt I could express my thoughts about my sister better through a song than I could through either spoken verse or prose; I knew I'd never get through it if I tried to speak extemporaneously w/o well-thought-out phrasing.

Thanks to all who sent their wishes and sympathies whether here in public postings or privately. All were greatly appreciated.

One final thought: I knew my sister was well-liked in many circles by many people but being some distance away, I never comprehended just how many people she interacted with and how many were so affected by her passing. There were probably more people at her funeral than I've ever seen at a funeral for a non-public figure in my life. Plus there was an almost equal number who visited prior to the funeral but could not stay due to commitments with participation in Mardi Gras events locally. Many of these were musicians of varying genres and I never knew until yesterday just how far-reaching or how positive her impact in the musical community was.

Thanks again for all the good wishes.

SC (Wayne)

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: open mike
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 03:59 PM

hugs to you and thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: alanabit
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 03:40 PM

My sympathy for what is obviously an enormous loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: Partridge
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 02:33 PM

Thinking of you Wayne, I'm going to the funeral of a good friend on tuesday - not quite the same I know.

much love

pat xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: Mooh
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 02:29 PM

Wayne...My sympathies, hopes, and prayers. I too have lost a sister to cancer. I hope you soon get past the hurt and grief to reach the fond memories. Take care.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: topical tom
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 11:54 AM

My sympathy for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman.

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: Amos
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 11:51 AM

Thank God she was around to do the good she did. Condolences to you, SC.


A

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: Janie
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 11:45 AM

I feel she should be mentioned here at least in passing because of her promotion of a number of talented but little known artists through her involvement in two or three organizations in the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi and Louisiana.

Wayne, it is meet for you to post this because she was dear to you, and you are part of this community, even if she had never had anything to do with music. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all who loved her.

Janie

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 11:23 AM

I am sorry for your loss, Wayne. I usually suggest that we celebrate the life of someone we have lost. You are doing that. I will play a Jed Marum CD today and think of Susan.

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 11:18 AM

No words ever seem to say what we want, but I too am sorry for your loss Wayne. My best thoughts to all of your family.

Pat

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: Alice
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 11:09 AM

Wayne, I'm very sorry to hear of your family's loss.
She sounds like someone I would have enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table with. You have my sympathy.

Alice

Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 10:59 AM

Oh, SC, that is so sad. She sounds like a wonderful person and sister. You have my sympathies. Please do tell us more if and when you feel like it.

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

kat

Subject: Obit: Susan Barnes
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 10:57 AM

If I may be permitted to post an obit that may be slightly different from what usually appears, this is an announcement of the death of someone very close to me but otherwise not known except to probably a handful of others here. My sister, Susan Anderson Barnes, lost her fight with cancer on Thursday; funeral arrangements have just been completed with both visitation and funeral to be held Sunday, 2/3, at 1 to 3 for visitation, with funeral to follow immediately.

I feel she should be mentioned here at least in passing because of her promotion of a number of talented but little known artists through her involvement in two or three organizations in the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi and Louisiana. She's the one who introduced me to Jed Marum's music, for example.

She basically followed two types of music with equal interest, Celtic and Tropical. She was personal friends with a number of artists and promoted their music whenever the opportunity presented itself. And all of her efforts in promoting the music and artists was done selflessly because she liked the sound. She never "profited" from her efforts in promotion and in fact, never worked for pay in anything that remotely connected to the music. She taught higher-level mathematics for about 25 years before retiring and obtaining a real estate broker's license to begin working in real estate. She had just taken a position managing a major real estate office when she learned of her disease only one week after her 55th birthday.

Since I'm her brother and obviously feel things about her death that I would have to pen a book to express, I'll not go further here. Just know that a person who was very important in the lives of a number of people has passed on and will be sorely missed.

Thanks for reading.

SC (Wayne Anderson)