Cathy's Free

Our friend Cathy Seipp passed away today at 2:05 pm, surrounded by her daughter Maia, her family and friends. I am told it was a very peaceful passing. There will be much more to write about Cathy in the coming days. For everyone on Team Cathy (or, as Matt Welch referred to us in the email he sent announcing her passing, "this community of unlike-minded weirdos around her"), and for the literally thousands of people around the world thinking good and loving thoughts for her and Maia, my great gratitude. It was my pleasure to know Cathy, and in fact, owe her much more than she would ever acknowledge. I used to tease her the world was a game of Six Degrees of Cathy Seipp; that I know half my dearest friends through her and/or blogging, which I took up because I was so impressed with hers. And so you know my six degrees comment is not some fluff: the book I am just about finished writing grew out of my old blog, Leaving Los Angeles, meaning, Cathy sort of gets credit for this, too. I also read the following yesterday, from an interview she gave:

Interviewer: What would be your most important piece of advice about life?

Cathy: I've always been a big believer in the importance of kicking your own ass. That is, forcing yourself to do what you don't necessarily feel like doing at the time.

Interviewer: What do you consider the most important personal quality?

Cathy: A certain large-mindedness, or generosity of spirit - because this encompasses not only extending yourself for others, but other qualities like courage, and having friends who disagree with you politically, and not constantly worrying about what other people think.

Good words to live by, and so today, in the spirit of kicking my own ass, I took myself to the library to work on the book. Because I sometimes think they're corny and I didn't want to get ahead of myself, it did not have a dedication page, until about an hour ago, when I thought, what the heck, and typed, "To Din and Tafv, and in memory of my friend Cathy Seipp."

Thank you, Cathy. Rest in peace, my friend xx

The LA Times has an obit up online

Kevin Roderick over at LA Observed has done what I was planning to do, and undoubtedly better, which is note Cathy's passing with a round-up of blogs where she's being written about.

To which I will add but one note, an email from our good friend, Jill Stewart:

As we friends and family say goodbye to our dear Cathy today, I noticed 
that it's the first day of spring. She was all about the zest for life and facing 
it all with verve. So it seems she is making a statement, even now.  

Comments

[Jim Treacher]

It's a testment to Cathy that out of all the people noting her passing, whether they're left or right, whether they agreed with her or not, the only one I've seen with something bad to say is a complete idiot.

[nancy]

As usual, Treacher, you are correct.

[Curtis]

Yes, Jim, she had so many fine people as friends.

I actually stand in awe of how sweetly Nancy, Emmanuelle and many others were with her during the time of knowing she'd die. I was so clueless as to be actually shocked at Monday morning's news. If it'd help to be disgusted with myself, I'd do so. Thank God I wished her a Happy Valentine's Day, for what that was worth. But before that I wrote to her and said I'd pray for her, and I earnestly did. She wrote a sweet note expressing her appreciation.

Praying for good things to happen to Cathy wasn't hard work.

[butch]

I've read Cathy's stuff infrequently for a couple of years and really enjoyed it. Your blog kind of brought her to life for me because you know her personally and I live so close to Ristretto (yes...I need to break the habit of Starbucks and make it in...will do so soon). She sounds like a wonderful person and I am truly sorry for your loss.

[The Guilty Carnivore]

My condolences to Cathy Seipp's family and to you for the loss of your friend. I've read her columns in NRO and her blog over the past few years, and I've always thought she carried herself with grace and aplomb.