news on an upcoming memorial event at vassar
Ian Crowther
________________________________________________
Hi all,
Sorry for the email rather than post...
As you may know, I'm working at Vassar this year and have been closely
communicating with DB Brown and Sam Speers to announce our profound
loss to those who might not have heard and to arrange a service to
remember and honor the life we were lucky enough to be a part of.
Vassar has not announced anything officially yet because they are still
trying to solidify details of the memorial to take place on campus, but
it WILL happen. At this point, it might be late January because we feel
strongly about giving the professors who knew Meg a chance to
participate as well and they will be on break until then.
Sam has assured me that if details are not finalized soon, an
announcement will be sent out that says the memorial time and date will
be announced later.
Rest assured, they are not ignoring it. Everyone I've talked to knew
Meg as soon as I describe her. I am one of many (I don't know which of
you are also working with Sam) to make sure Megan is recognized,
remembered, and celebrated at Vassar as well as throughout the world.
Also, AnnaBelle Jones, a beloved desk attendant wanted me to send her
love to all of you. She misses her "buddy", remembers many of you with
love.
Take care of yourselves, stay warm, breathe, drink tea and be gentle.
Love,
Liz
________________________________________________________________
will...@gmail.com
Mr. Steerman has suggested that the DMC create some sort of
contribution to the
memorial, but I wanted to put the word out to alumni who knew her
first. I was
wondering if any of you wish to organize some sort of contribution. I
am more than
willing to help mediate and contribute anything I can, but I think you
would do her
better justice. Maybe it could come from the posts people have made
online about
her, maybe we could do something with the photos.
let me know, and pass on the information to others.
i send my love and condolences to everyone, and hope you're all doing
alright.
Em
-------------------------------- Original Message
---------------------------------
Subject: Meg Perry Memorial Service
From: James B Steerman
Date: Wed, December 21, 2005 9:01 am
To: licornfeld
emfishbaine
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Li and Emily,
Late yesterday I received a phone call from Sam Speers, Director of
Religious and
Spiritual Life at Vassar. He told me that a Memorial Service for Meg
Perry was
being planned for Saturday, February 4, and wondered if the drama
department or
its students would want to
participate in some fashion. I said that I felt the department and
students would
definitely want to be part of the event. I realized, however, that
there would
not be much time between the date we all return to campus and February
4, so
thought I should contact you as soon as possible. Would the Majors'
Committee
like to take charge of our participation in the memorial service? It
think it
would be good if we could present a reading of an appropriate scene
from a play,
or perhaps a reading of a poem. You may have better ideas, however.
Could you
two think about this and let me know your thoughts. If anything needs
to be done
from this end before we all return to
Vassar, I will try to take care of it. Sam Speers also said that he
would contact
me again as plans for the service become more concrete, and I will
pass this
information along to you.
Sincerely,
JBS
--
James B. Steerman
Professor of Drama and Film
Ian Crowther
(Relevant details: Vassar Memorial is confirmed for Sat. Feb. 4th, 3pm,
in the Shiva - Snow date Feb 15th at noon - an email has not yet been
sent to alums (not sure what the hold up is)).
Dear Davida,
I hope you've had something of a break, and that you're doing well.
Here's a copy of the note that went out from the President's Office
shortly before break, including word about the service being planned
for February 4. I'll certainly want to be in touch as our planning
moves forward. Please don't hesitate to share your ideas for the
service--we are following up, as you'll see, with your good idea of
holding this in the Shiva Theater. If you haven't heard about the
service yet, that must mean that the AAVC hasn't sent the announcement
yet to alums. I'm waiting to hear back from them now about when
they'll be able to send it--I'm sure this will be soon.
All best,
Sam
=====================================
I'm deeply saddened to share the news that Megan Blythe Perry '02 died
in a vehicle accident in New Orleans, LA recently, on December 10. At
Vassar, Meg was a Cognitive Science major, graduating with honors; she
was a creative force in the Drama program, and a beloved and visionary
advocate for the generative power of local communities to spark social
change. At the time of her death, Megan was working with multiple
grassroots organizations in the gulf area to aid in the hurricane
relief and rebuilding efforts in that region. Megan was a resident of
Portland, Maine where she was an active and vocal participant in the
humanitarian organization, People's Free Space. She was passionate
about social justice, sustainable energy, organic agriculture, and
protection of the earth's resources and environment.
I know the entire Vassar community joins me in sending our love to
Meg's family as they mourn her life cut short and honor her generous
and creative spirit. Her family and friends gathered this past weekend
in Brunswick, ME to celebrate her life.
Alumni/ae and faculty are planning a campus memorial service for Meg
that will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2006 at 3pm. The service
will be in the Shiva Theater where she helped create the world of so
many plays as a set designer. All are welcome. In case of snow, we
will hold the service on Sunday, February 5 at 12 Noon.
The "Meg Perry Memorial Fund" has been established to support the
continuation of educational programs for hurricane survivors and to
sustain the humanitarian efforts to which Megan dedicated her life.
Contributions may be mailed to "The Meg Perry Memorial Fund" c/o Key
Bank, 172 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME, 04011.
For more information, please contact Dean of Students D.B. Brown
(br...@vassar.edu) or Sam Speers, Director of the Religious & Spiritual
Life Office (sasp...@vassar.edu).
Frances D. Fergusson, President
will...@gmail.com
at this memorial? It sounds like through Fishbaine's note from
Steerman that we're invited to make a statement or a gesture. It might
be good if the people who worked with her in the Shiva maybe shared a
couple of stories indicative of Megan's work and presence there...
Thoughts?