|
Post by Dragon on Mar 10, 2006 17:16:57 GMT -5
On our old e-mail list, The Loft (named after Diana Bennett's Loft in Beauty and the Beast), it was my custom to welcome each new member with a short story bit with them in it. So, someone suggested someone write a fanfic featuring Nan. So, I thought it might be appropriate to give Nan as a farewell. Another DayThe mortician had been very depressed after talking to the people who had loved Nan Dibble. He had been a fan of her writing for some time. With a sigh, he turned toward the room where she lay, but when he opened the door he could only stare in shock. The room was empty! *** Nan had never remembered being so hungry in her life. It must’ve been that darn flu. I haven’t eaten much. I must be getting better, then. She opened her eyes, blinked, and squinched them shut a moment. I must be delerious. Carefully, she opened them again. Yep. He was still there. Spike.
Spike smirked, and Nan’s toes curled. He took her hand and helped her off the table. “Hungry, Luv?”
Nan looked around the room. It was still solid. She patted herself. She was still solid. Tentatively, she reached out and touched Spike’s face. He was solid. “What….? What’s happened?” She patted for her cigarettes, but Spike handed her his.
“For someone with your command of language, that’s a pretty spare response.” His grin widened, and she could see the rebel rising. “You didn’t really think I could let you go, just like that, did you? Bloody Hell, woman, it just wasn’t your time.”
Nan took a drag of the cigarette and handed it back to Spike. “I’m starved.”
He gave her his arm. “My bike’s out front, and your scooter’s right beside. Let’s go.”
Nan smiled, realizing she wasn’t dreaming. “After breakfast, why don’t we drive on to New York? There’s someone there I’d just love for you to meet.” It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Beautiful, I know she would have loved it. Here he is waiting to go . Just like she liked him, bare chested and on his bike. Have a ball, Nan. Let the wind blow in your face and hair and be happy. Dragon
|
|
|
Post by Rhonda Collins on Mar 10, 2006 19:22:22 GMT -5
[[/quote] Beautiful, I know she would have loved it. Here he is waiting to go . Just like she liked him, bare chested and on his bike. Have a ball, Nan. Let the wind blow in your face and hair and be happy. Dragon[/quote] Thanks, Dragon. That means a lot to me. God. I still can't wrap my mind around it. Never to hear her voice again, never to e-mail her back and forth...and never no more have new "Nan Words" to absorb. It rocks me to the soul. Another friend said, "More, more..." when I sent her the snippet above. I'm not up to it...but I can just see it now. Vincent would take an immediate dislike to Spike's smug snark, object to his garbling of the King's English (and this is before he realized Spike was an undead creature of the night that drains people's blood!). Spike otoh, would carefully consider his own natty wardrobe of solid black tee shirt, jeans, boots, and duster to Vincent's rather tattered and patched leather and cloth, and sneer, run his hand over his platinum blond locks and comment that Vincent could use a good hairdresser. His comment? "Oh bollocks! Not another bloody poofter!" hehe. And God knows what FATHER would think of him! I think Nan is going to have to tell Spike she needs a metallic candy red Harley, and they'll have to speed away before Nan is unable to keep them from bloodshed. <sob> I miss her so already.
|
|
|
Post by Onjel on Mar 10, 2006 21:10:34 GMT -5
In case nobody has seen this: obit.gilliganfuneralhomes.com/obit_display.cgi?id=294442&listing=Current"Nancy (Nan) A. Dibble Born in Brooklyn, NY on Sep. 8, 1942 Departed on Mar. 7, 2006 and resided in Cincinnati, OH. Visitation: No Visitation Memorial Service: Friday Mar. 10, 2006 Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions. [button to sign a guestbook] Nancy A. “Nan” Dibble, beloved sister of James “Jay” Dibble. Author of several published works including science fiction, fantasy and self-help books. Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at the age of 63 years. No visitation. Memorial Service 7:30 PM Friday, March 10 at Gilligan-Siefke-Grueter Funeral Home, 3671 Warsaw Ave. Memorials may be made to The Scratching Post, 6958 Plainfield Rd., Cinti OH 45236." [there's also a beautiful picture of an angel for our angel] Thank you for this, LeftyLady. I appreciated the opportunity to sign the virtual guest book and view the other entries.
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Mar 10, 2006 21:15:22 GMT -5
Rhonda and Dragon - love the story and the picture; the idea of Vincent and Spike fighting over Nan! Perfect! Eetah on the thanks to leftylady for the link to the guestbook. I'm heading there now.
|
|
|
Post by William the Bloody on Mar 11, 2006 3:14:13 GMT -5
In case nobody has seen this: obit.gilliganfuneralhomes.com/obit_display.cgi?id=294442&listing=Current"Nancy (Nan) A. Dibble Born in Brooklyn, NY on Sep. 8, 1942 Departed on Mar. 7, 2006 and resided in Cincinnati, OH. Visitation: No Visitation Memorial Service: Friday Mar. 10, 2006 Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions. [button to sign a guestbook] Nancy A. “Nan” Dibble, beloved sister of James “Jay” Dibble. Author of several published works including science fiction, fantasy and self-help books. Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at the age of 63 years. No visitation. Memorial Service 7:30 PM Friday, March 10 at Gilligan-Siefke-Grueter Funeral Home, 3671 Warsaw Ave. Memorials may be made to The Scratching Post, 6958 Plainfield Rd., Cinti OH 45236." [there's also a beautiful picture of an angel for our angel] Thank you for this, LeftyLady. I appreciated the opportunity to sign the virtual guest book and view the other entries. I tried to sign the guestbook, but unfortunately it was after the funeral, and they must lock it down. That is too bad, as I am sure there will be folks that will get there late, but wish to send her family their condolences. This is what I was attempting to write: Nan was a terrific lady, well thought of and loved by an amazing number of people the world over. We will all miss her words, her wisdom and her wit.... but most of all we will jsut miss her. I hope you find out "What's next?" dear friend. - VladVlad
|
|
|
Post by S'ewing S'cubie on Mar 11, 2006 3:20:42 GMT -5
Thank you for this, LeftyLady. I appreciated the opportunity to sign the virtual guest book and view the other entries. I tried to sign the guestbook, but unfortunately it was after the funeral, and they must lock it down. That is too bad, as I am sure there will be folks that will get there late, but wish to send her family their condolences. This is what I was attempting to write: Nan was a terrific lady, well thought of and loved by an amazing number of people the world over. We will all miss her words, her wisdom and her wit.... but most of all we will jsut miss her. I hope you find out "What's next?" dear friend. - VladVlad The website must have been experiencing problems, Vlad, because I was able to sign it without any difficulty. Why don't you try again?
|
|
|
Post by SpringSummers on Mar 11, 2006 11:37:17 GMT -5
For all who knew and loved Nan through her internet presence, and for Nan - below is a recounting of my experience attending Nan’s funeral service on March 10, 2006Spring Summers, 11-Mar-2006 [/i] Cincinnati: As I approached, I began to feel the same feeling that I always experience, catching sight once again of the River Queen: Exhilaration mixed with longing. Cincinnati: It’s where I gained a son, and lost a husband. The last time I was in Cincinnati, it was for a business meeting. And as I drove down Reading Rd, I tuned in a local oldies radio station. When I was no more than 5 or 6 blocks from my former apartment, Garth Brooks' song, The Dance began to play: I’m glad I didn’t know The way it all would end The way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance I coulda missed the pain But I’da had to miss the dance. Cincinnati: This biggest thing I learned in Cincy last night was this: Nan danced. Not that I didn’t know that already – I just hadn’t known quite how continuously and enthusiastically and graciously she’d tripped the light fantastic during her time here on Planet Earth. I am so, so glad that I went to the funeral. It was the best and most fun funeral service I’ve ever attended. Our flowers were there, as was your beautiful white bouquet, Lola. There was no clergy member, and Nan’s body wasn’t there. But Nan was. As everyone shared their thoughts and feelings, she was so present in the minds and hearts gathered, that she was nearly tangible. Nan’s very gracious brother Jay had arranged for approximately 20 souls to gather in the tiny funeral home, in the unassuming Price Hill section of Cincinnati. To everyone’s laughter and delight, he began by telling us all that Nan was one of the best people he ever knew, but one of the worst drivers. Then he invited us all to begin sharing our thoughts and memories. Her longtime friends, Mary and Irene were unable to hold back tears as they told of Nan’s loyal, valuable, and unswerving friendship throughout the years. Because she was so tearful, Mary asked me to read to everyone the poem that had been posted by Diane on our board – the one by Cannon Henry Scott Holland, called The Room ( Death is nothing at all – you can see it here: Part 658, page 12.) I read it aloud, and then I talked a little about Nan, and her life on the web. I told them how much she had meant to so many – on the board and live journal and beyond. Several people remarked on how far I had driven to be there, and I said that I was closest person, and I wanted to be there, to represent the literally hundreds of people, all over the country and all over the world, touched by Nan, through her internet presence. Others had talked of her PhD, and two Masters degrees, and her many publications – so I mentioned how modest and unpretentious Nan had always been about her many, and very impressive, accomplishments. I spoke about how helpful she was always willing to be to other writers, and how she had always given me encouragement and praise. I told about meeting her in Chicago, and how I had found that though she wasn’t really a gushy or sentimental sort, she still exuded a very real warmth. Becca, Dev, Riff, cal: Several people remarked that they knew that she had friends on the board “even from the UK!” So I know that she must have mentioned you. Apparently, she talked about us all, often. Matthew: After I was done speaking, I had this exchange with George: GEORGE: “There was that one fellow on the board – she liked him a lot, talked about him all the time – she called him her ‘virtual nephew.’” ME: “Oh! Matthew!” GEORGE: “Yes. Tell him she really thought a lot of him. She was always talking about her ‘virtual nephew’.” ME: “Well, I think he knew that. But I will tell him that you confirmed it.” So there you go. I learned that Nan used to type with a cat wrapped around her neck, and that she once built a large retaining wall using rocks from the bottom of a lake – that she had gathered herself, by going out in a small rowboat, and loading rocks until it would start to sink - at which point, she’d row back to shore. I learned that Irene, her college roommate, ended up at one point taking a class from Nan, thinking it would be a breeze to take a class from her best pal. Au contraire! Nan gave her no slack, wanting her to learn and do her best. I found out that Nan very recently, was giving a down-on-her-luck co-worker frequent rides to work, even making sure her little girl got to school in the morning. I found out that she once gave a severe dressing down to large former soldier who threw a book in one of her classes – she took him outside and little Nan lit into big soldier boy so formidably that he was the soul of civility in her class, from there on in. I saw a picture of Nan as a very young woman (lovely!) and I found out that at the age of 6, she’d been a “Quiz Kid” on a then popular radio show with Derwood Kirby. She won the first round, then lost during a spelling round - the person who spelled the longest word, won. Nan spelled “daguerreotype.” A much older boy spelled “antidisestablishmentarianism.” We all agreed she wuz robbed! There was much laughter, as people remembered the truly unique and inimitable Nan Dibble. Irene talked about Nan’s reaction to one of her sci-fi book covers that included the depiction of one of her female characters as excessively buxom and scantily clad. “Hmmm,” said Nan to Irene, “is this what you were picturing?” To me, the funniest moment of the evening came when George revealed a secret to everyone. It went like this: GEORGE: “Well, this was always a secret, but I guess I can tell everyone now. I had proposed to Nan. About 20 years or so ago, we talked seriously about marriage.” IRENE: “Actually – she told me that.” JAY: “I knew that too.” At that point, people began to laugh. MARY: “I knew it.” ME: “So did I.” More laughter – as one after another, people began to pipe up with the “Me too.” ME: “I have to say – actually - the whole board knew.” More cracking up, while George smiled and looked a little sheepish. GEORGE: “Well, if I would’ve known everybody knew already, I wouldn’t have brought it up!” And we laughed some more. I found out Nan once made a dress and cape from a table cloth with heavy green fringe, and loved to wear the ensemble. (IRENE: “It was the 60’s!") It was a wonderful experience. I was so, so glad that I went. And it was such an honor and a privilege, to be among those counted as Nan’s friends, and to represent all of you. Jay brought the proceedings to a close after about an hour or so, by thanking everyone for coming. I thanked him for arranging such a perfect good-bye, checked with the lovely Mary about my directions back to the freeway, gave her a hug, and left the funeral home. In my car, I turned the radio on, and headed toward I-71-N. Just as I neared the 275 Outerbelt, guess what came on? Garth Brooks and The Dance.Our lives are better left to chance. I could missed the pain, but I’da had to miss the dance.Nan danced. And if she could see our tears and sadness now, I think she’d take a look at us, paraphrase her favorite character and say: “S’cubies - you know you wanna dance.” So, S’cubes, in Nan’s memory, let’s boogie on.
|
|
|
Post by Shan on Mar 11, 2006 12:02:55 GMT -5
Thank you, Spring. Thank you for going. Thank you for arranging for the flowers. Thank you for speaking for us - as well as for yourself - and thank you, most of all, for sharing this with us.
|
|
|
Post by Matthew on Mar 11, 2006 12:06:35 GMT -5
She was robbed. "Antidisestablishmentarianism" is an EASY word! No doubles, no funny vowels.
Okay, screw the bravado: Thank you, Spring, for going there for us, for me, and for telling of her life, and for witnessing it through the eyes of her other loved ones.
And thank you for the special gift that you and George give to me. I'm...awed and made very happy by it. I'm moved beyond words that my adopted "virtual" aunt took that relationship as seriously as I did.
Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by Dev(Rob) on Mar 11, 2006 12:07:01 GMT -5
{{ Spring }} Can't really put thoughts into words. Rest in peace Nan.
|
|
|
Post by Julia, wrought iron-y on Mar 11, 2006 12:48:03 GMT -5
For all who knew and loved Nan through her internet presence, and for Nan - below is a recounting of my experience attending Nan’s funeral service on March 10, 2006Spring Summers, 11-Mar-2006 [/i] Cincinnati: As I approached, I began to feel the same feeling that I always experience, catching sight once again of the River Queen: Exhilaration mixed with longing. Cincinnati: It’s where I gained a son, and lost a husband. The last time I was in Cincinnati, it was for a business meeting. And as I drove down Reading Rd, I tuned in a local oldies radio station. When I was no more than 5 or 6 blocks from my former apartment, Garth Brooks' song, The Dance began to play: I’m glad I didn’t know The way it all would end The way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance I coulda missed the pain But I’da had to miss the dance. Cincinnati: This biggest thing I learned in Cincy last night was this: Nan danced. Not that I didn’t know that already – I just hadn’t known quite how continuously and enthusiastically and graciously she’d tripped the light fantastic during her time here on Planet Earth. I am so, so glad that I went to the funeral. It was the best and most fun funeral service I’ve ever attended. Our flowers were there, as was your beautiful white bouquet, Lola. There was no clergy member, and Nan’s body wasn’t there. But Nan was. As everyone shared their thoughts and feelings, she was so present in the minds and hearts gathered, that she was nearly tangible. Nan’s very gracious brother Jay had arranged for approximately 20 souls to gather in the tiny funeral home, in the unassuming Price Hill section of Cincinnati. To everyone’s laughter and delight, he began by telling us all that Nan was one of the best people he ever knew, but one of the worst drivers. Then he invited us all to begin sharing our thoughts and memories. Her longtime friends, Mary and Irene were unable to hold back tears as they told of Nan’s loyal, valuable, and unswerving friendship throughout the years. Because she was so tearful, Mary asked me to read to everyone the poem that had been posted by Diane on our board – the one by Cannon Henry Scott Holland, called The Room ( Death is nothing at all – you can see it here: [url=http://scubiefan.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1141838990&page=12 ]Part 658, page 12[/url].) I read it aloud, and then I talked a little about Nan, and her life on the web. I told them how much she had meant to so many – on the board and live journal and beyond. Several people remarked on how far I had driven to be there, and I said that I was closest person, and I wanted to be there, to represent the literally hundreds of people, all over the country and all over the world, touched by Nan, through her internet presence. Others had talked of her PhD, and two Masters degrees, and her many publications – so I mentioned how modest and unpretentious Nan had always been about her many, and very impressive, accomplishments. I spoke about how helpful she was always willing to be to other writers, and how she had always given me encouragement and praise. I told about meeting her in Chicago, and how I had found that though she wasn’t really a gushy or sentimental sort, she still exuded a very real warmth. Becca, Dev, Riff, cal: Several people remarked that they knew that she had friends on the board “even from the UK!” So I know that she must have mentioned you. Apparently, she talked about us all, often. Matthew: After I was done speaking, I had this exchange with George: GEORGE: “There was that one fellow on the board – she liked him a lot, talked about him all the time – she called him her ‘virtual nephew.’” ME: “Oh! Matthew!” GEORGE: “Yes. Tell him she really thought a lot of him. She was always talking about her ‘virtual nephew’.” ME: “Well, I think he knew that. But I will tell him that you confirmed it.” So there you go. I learned that Nan used to type with a cat wrapped around her neck, and that she once built a large retaining wall using rocks from the bottom of a lake – that she had gathered herself, by going out in a small rowboat, and loading rocks until it would start to sink - at which point, she’d row back to shore. I learned that Irene, her college roommate, ended up at one point taking a class from Nan, thinking it would be a breeze to take a class from her best pal. Au contraire! Nan gave her no slack, wanting her to learn and do her best. I found out that Nan very recently, was giving a down-on-her-luck co-worker frequent rides to work, even making sure her little girl got to school in the morning. I found out that she once gave a severe dressing down to large former soldier who threw a book in one of her classes – she took him outside and little Nan lit into big soldier boy so formidably that he was the soul of civility in her class, from there on in. I saw a picture of Nan as a very young woman (lovely!) and I found out that at the age of 6, she’d been a “Quiz Kid” on a then popular radio show with Derwood Kirby. She won the first round, then lost during a spelling round - the person who spelled the longest word, won. Nan spelled “daguerreotype.” A much older boy spelled “antidisestablishmentarianism.” We all agreed she wuz robbed! There was much laughter, as people remembered the truly unique and inimitable Nan Dibble. Irene talked about Nan’s reaction to one of her sci-fi book covers that included the depiction of one of her female characters as excessively buxom and scantily clad. “Hmmm,” said Nan to Irene, “is this what you were picturing?” To me, the funniest moment of the evening came when George revealed a secret to everyone. It went like this: GEORGE: “Well, this was always a secret, but I guess I can tell everyone now. I had proposed to Nan. About 20 years or so ago, we talked seriously about marriage.” IRENE: “Actually – she told me that.” JAY: “I knew that too.” At that point, people began to laugh. MARY: “I knew it.” ME: “So did I.” More laughter – as one after another, people began to pipe up with the “Me too.” ME: “I have to say – actually - the whole board knew.” More cracking up, while George smiled and looked a little sheepish. GEORGE: “Well, if I would’ve known everybody knew already, I wouldn’t have brought it up!” And we laughed some more. I found out Nan once made a dress and cape from a table cloth with heavy green fringe, and loved to wear the ensemble. (IRENE: “It was the 60’s!) It was a wonderful experience. I was so, so glad that I went. And it was such an honor and a privilege, to be among those counted as Nan’s friends, and to represent all of you. Jay brought the proceedings to a close after about an hour or so, by thanking everyone for coming. I thanked him for arranging such a perfect good-bye, checked with the lovely Mary about my directions back to the freeway, gave her a hug, and left the funeral home. In my car, I turned the radio on, and headed toward I-71-N. Just as I neared the 275 Outerbelt, guess what came on? Garth Brooks and The Dance.Our lives are better left to chance. I could missed the pain, but I’da had to miss the dance.Nan danced. And if she could see our tears and sadness now, I think she’d take a look at us, paraphrase her favorite character and say: “S’cubies - you know you wanna dance.” So, S’cubes, in Nan’s memory, let’s boogie on. [/quote] I wish it was easier to link this to my LJ directly (and that this page hadn't stretched so I can't read it without scanning, even at my highest resolution) but I will let people know how to read it. I am not surprised at anything Nan's memorial service confirmed; I wouldn't be surprised, indeed, to find she'd climber Everest disguised as a sherpa nor dated Elvis- because Nan herself vas the ultimate surprise. Julia, off to the Saturday portion of the races
|
|
|
Post by Cal on Mar 11, 2006 12:49:59 GMT -5
Thank you, Spring. Thank you for letting us know that Nan had mentioned the UK S'cubies. That means so much to me. Thank you for sharing the experience with us and for giving us a little insight into Nan's life before she became a S'cubie. I'm crying for Nan, but I'm also crying for me (and us all) because she's not here with us any more...and I miss her. I miss her so much.
|
|
|
Post by Cal on Mar 11, 2006 13:13:27 GMT -5
With Spring's kind permission I've copied her post over to my LJ hereThank you, Spring. ETA: I've now changed my post to a direct link to here.
|
|
|
Post by Sharky on Mar 11, 2006 13:19:57 GMT -5
Thank you, Spring. You were a great ambassador, and shared the experience beautifully.
#bighug#
|
|
|
Post by makd on Mar 11, 2006 13:50:10 GMT -5
In case nobody has seen this: obit.gilliganfuneralhomes.com/obit_display.cgi?id=294442&listing=Current"Nancy (Nan) A. Dibble Born in Brooklyn, NY on Sep. 8, 1942 Departed on Mar. 7, 2006 and resided in Cincinnati, OH. Visitation: No Visitation Memorial Service: Friday Mar. 10, 2006 Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions. [button to sign a guestbook] Nancy A. “Nan” Dibble, beloved sister of James “Jay” Dibble. Author of several published works including science fiction, fantasy and self-help books. Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at the age of 63 years. No visitation. Memorial Service 7:30 PM Friday, March 10 at Gilligan-Siefke-Grueter Funeral Home, 3671 Warsaw Ave. Memorials may be made to The Scratching Post, 6958 Plainfield Rd., Cinti OH 45236." [there's also a beautiful picture of an angel for our angel] Thanks so much for posting this so we can add an extra notice - and one that will be seen by her family.
|
|