FYI; Barbarame

 I’m posting this as a notice that one of our longtime members has passed away. I don’t know how many of the old guard are still here but those that are will remember her fondly.

 Barbara Messenger AKA here “Barbarame” Passed away on or about the 15^th of August. I just found out a couple of days ago when I got a notice on Facebook that it was her birthday. When I went to her page to wish her a happy birthday, I came across a recent post that said she had passed away after a short stay in hospital following a stroke. She was 74. She had been a Nurse.

 I asked a Facebook friend of hers that works for a law firm in Durban for obituary details and he got back to me that he would send me more info when the estate is settled. He said nothing about an obituary nor could I find one searching online in her area around Pine Town, (Durban SA). Which of course I found strange. But those who knew Barbara may understand.   

 She was our “exceptional” and prolific resident Poet here. She was very active on the old format but found this new format to difficult to navigate. She contacted me and said she was going to Facebook and we were there reunited as friends. It had been about a month or so since our last contact and she did not mention any illness at that time. But a stoke can be out of the blue and it sounds like she got a good way to check out,,,, as I hope to also someday.

PS Update. Just reseived new info; she passed away on July 31. I realize now it must have been just after our last contact.

RIP Barbara, your battle is over.  (and thanks for your great poetry)

 Thanks for reading,  Geo.