| Author |
Message |
    
Jim Kalafus
Member
Username: jak
Post Number: 1664
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, October 25, 2004 - 1:36 am: | 
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We are sorry to announce that Albert Smethurst, born August 1915, who was 'carried' aboard the Lusitania by his mother, Alice, has passed away this month. We were informed of this by the family of Handel Hawkins, Lusitania survivor, who were 'golf buddies' with Albert Smethurst and did not know of his connection to the disaster until fairly recently.
" 'We Would Gladly Feast Upon Those Who Oppress Us.' These are more than just beautiful words...."
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Shelley Dziedzic
Moderator
Username: shelley
Post Number: 2089
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - 6:39 am: |
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Well this is exciting news- I nearly missed it! Where was the family from originally? How did Albert view the recent revelation? |
Jim Kalafus
Member
Username: jak
Post Number: 1676
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - 11:41 am: |
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Albert knew of his connection to the Lusitania- it was his golf pals, the Hawkins relatives, who did not know until recently that they had a common link with him.
" 'We Would Gladly Feast Upon Those Who Oppress Us.' These are more than just beautiful words...."
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Darren Honeycutt
Member
Username: darrenscott
Post Number: 403
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 19, 2004 - 2:39 am: |
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I had thought it was fairly certain that only two women are still living from the Lusitania sinking. I wonder if any more survivors may still be living? Shelley, how is Barbara Anderson doing? |
Jim Kalafus
Member
Username: jak
Post Number: 1732
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, November 19, 2004 - 3:31 am: |
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I had put 'survivor' in quotation marks because he was, of course, one of the unborn passengers. Several women in the late stages of pregnancy survived, and I am fairly confident that one additional 'in utero' survivor is still alive.
" 'We Would Gladly Feast Upon Those Who Oppress Us.' These are more than just beautiful words...."
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Shelley Dziedzic
Moderator
Username: shelley
Post Number: 2118
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 12:54 am: |
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Barbara is doing very well after a tough summer. Last Saturday I took her to her 80th grammar school reunion. She and her friend Irene are the last two living from her class. Mention was made of her Lusitania connection. She had a great day, we drove by her old home and school. I have photos which I will try to post this weekend. Barbara had a bad fall in May, broke her hip, but worse, injured an optic nerve in the fall and was unable to see out of it until the day before her reunion. Now the tricky eye surgery will not be necessary. She gets around with some discomfort from the hip still, and her doctor wants her to try to walk a little daily-but it has not slowed her down much. Even with impaired vision she crocheted a beautiful baby layette back in September. She is an inspiration and always hopeful and cheerful. Sadly, her adored great- grandson has moved farther away, but they will be together at Thanksgiving. She still very much enjoys her cards, letters, and little attentions from admirers and friends from all over. Cliff Barry came over in September to visit and we have some great memories of that outing. I had hoped to revisit the Radio City Music Hall for the annual Christmas Spectacular, as she used to do many years ago, but this year the hip is still a little too uncertain- but what an indomitable spirit! |
Darren Honeycutt
Member
Username: darrenscott
Post Number: 404
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 1:07 am: |
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Hi Shelley, sorry to hear about Barbara's recent health problems. It sounds like she is hopefully getting stronger each day and her vision getting better is good news. I will try and get a card in the mail to her and let her know I am thinking of her. Darren |
