Dear Karen and all:
We’re so sorry to hear this sad news, because losing Lori is a big loss. Even though I had lost contact with her over the past several years, I still greatly admire and respect her.
Lori was smart and incredibly quick-witted. I remember when we travelled to Europe in the late 1980s, and the European men practically swarmed around her! (One man staying in our hotel insisted she visit his villa in Aix-en-Provence. Lori didn’t believe for one second he had a villa, but she humoured him – and then we spent the rest of our stay avoiding him by sneaking in and out of the hotel, like spies.)
She was also my Paris “tour guide” on that trip, and she was marvellous. She showed me all the sights, and I noticed how well she blended in with the Parisians. She didn’t appear to be a tourist at all.
People seemed to gravitate towards her, due to her natural charisma. She was open, friendly and non-judgmental, and I felt like I could tell her anything. I knew her at a time when I had a lot of growing up to do, and she helped me become a better, more thoughtful person.
Anyway, I could go on all day about Lori, but I won’t.
We won’t be able to attend her celebration, sadly, because we’ll be out of town. We hope you’re all doing well, though, considering the circumstances.
Take good care.
