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Stories from the NFCCA Newsletter, the “Northwood News” |
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Stories from the NFCCA Newsletter, the “Northwood News” |
The June meeting marks the end of our formal meetings for the year. Except for summer events like Neighborhood Night Out, we will not officially come together as a community until the fall. This June meeting, however, will have a special significance. Jerry Lane’s chair will be empty, and our community will be the poorer for his death.
Jerry was a past President of the Association, but he served the community in many other ways as well. Just last year, I called on him to organize nominations for the Board, and he did it enthusiastically. He was active in the local Democratic party, volunteered at the Parkland Pool, and was very involved in NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association).
When the new computer voting machines were coming in, he carried a demo unit to Association events and senior communities in the area. Jerry also did a lot of invasives removal along Lockridge Creek. He saved a maple tree and a basswood that were so vine-covered, we didn’t even know they were there. One year, the County failed to pick up the large piles of brush after the creek cleanup. Jerry carried it all back to his house (over a period of weeks) and packaged it up for the regular pickup.
Most of all, though, I will miss his friendship. Jerry and Marion Lane were literally the first people my husband and I met in the neighborhood. Little did we realize what a deep and sustaining friendship this would become. Witty, urbane, and courtly without being stuffy, Jerry was always fun to be with. He had a fine sense of outrage at our government’s shortcomings, but it was balanced by a great sense of humor. We enjoyed many glasses of wine together, and we would celebrate our December birthdays with many good dinners over the years.
On his cancer blog, in the section, “What I Hate Most About Cancer,” Jerry said, “Can’t enjoy my wine, man! The stress and distress it brings to the ones I love.” Under “What I Have Learned From Cancer,” he wrote, “We must live and love every day as fully as we are allowed. And, look forward because that’s the only direction you can go.”
Jerry did live fully, traveling extensively in his last years. When he grew less able to travel, there was a constant stream of lifelong friends and relatives coming from all over the country to see him. It was truly a testament to a life well-lived. His warmth and affection for his friends shone through, along with his deep love for Marion, his kids, and his grand-kids.
So, in recognition of Jerry’s outstanding service to the community, NFCCA is making a contribution in his name to Heifer International. Heifer International works for just and sustainable development. A typical Heifer project consists of three essential components:
For example, it might start with the gift of a milk cow and training in how to care for the cow and how to market milk. The family that receives the cow benefits immediately with an improved diet, then they benefit economically by selling milk. Once the cow has a calf, the family gives that calf to another needy family and the impact spreads.
To learn more about Heifer, to make your own contribution to honor Jerry, and to help another community begin a better life, go to www.heifer.org. ■
© 2008 NFCCA [Source: https://nfcca.org/news/nn200806c.html]