# Bye, Opal **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 11, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666 "2013-03-11T23:59:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/361 "2013-03-13T02:31:45Z")
May the angels speed her rest. May those who remain help one another. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/362 "2013-03-13T02:35:35Z")
…she was a blonde bombshell and one hell of a juggler… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/363 "2013-03-13T02:47:19Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > Sometimes life just isn’t fair. It rarely is. Would someone PM and bring me up to date as to what happened? It was mentioned in this thread that she shaved her head. Had she been ill? ---
**Author:** ![sangfroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/364 "2013-03-13T02:48:24Z")
Adieu, Opalcat. Thank you for offering your talents by hosting Fathom for those of us not ready for the full punch of the weird wide web, and thanks for just being you. I spent a lot of time on “that other board” (which acted as a most gracious host whenever the mighty SD boards went down due to hamster malnourishment) and was delighted by the tenor of the place. Comfortable, friendly, laid-back - thank you for that. It was appreciated. Thoughts and prayers from our family to yours. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/365 "2013-03-13T03:04:01Z")
To look through this thread and see all the names from our past times, your honor Opal by returning. I’m just so sad and sorry that this is what to took to bring you home. I knew Opal from the AOL days and she followed us right along out here. And then I got involved with the Atlanta Jugglers and there she was … and so there were real life fun opportunities as well, often with Dominic. Saw her for just a minute at Juggler Festival last month – she was there with her new man. They were an incredibly striking couple, you looked at them and you couldn’t stop looking at them; they nearly glowed with energy and passion. She was across the hall from me and at the end of the show I went over to talk to them. Before I could get to them, they ran down the length of the gym and was gone. Literally gone in a flash. I wish now I had been able to run after her. But someone had a question, and I got stopped for that and I thought “Well, they’ll be back.” And they weren’t. And now they aren’t. ::: sigh ::: May G-d hold her in the hollow of His hand. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/366 "2013-03-13T03:06:48Z")
Very sad news indeed :(. Opal, you will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/367 "2013-03-13T03:09:48Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > May G-d hold her in the hollow of His hand. This. 1. She only lived 20 minutes from me, but in a different world, and I didn’t know it. 2. I’ll try harder as I go forward. 3. Goodbye, Opal ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/368 "2013-03-13T03:20:11Z")
I just wanted to drop in to say that her death was not how you’re all thinking. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/369 "2013-03-13T03:22:27Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > I just wanted to drop in to say that her death was not how you’re all thinking. If it’s not against board rules, could you please tell us how it happened? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/370 "2013-03-13T03:28:14Z")
Oh my gosh. ☹ I sent her a broken wristwatch some years ago. It was for an art project, and she’d requested them. Anybody remember if she posted the results? It’s a funny thing to remember, all of a sudden, and it’s been a long time… but I’d kinda like to find what became of it if there are any pictures still kicking around. Something to remember a truly exceptional Doper by, anyhow. Opal, you’ll be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/371 "2013-03-13T03:28:25Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > I just wanted to drop in to say that her death was not how you’re all thinking. Yes, please share if you can. I’ve survived others’ suicides, and it makes death even worse. It’s terrible that Opal is gone, but I would welcome something less dark at this time. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/372 "2013-03-13T03:30:02Z")
> [@Stealth\_Potato](#): > > Oh my gosh. ☹ > > I sent her a broken wristwatch some years ago. It was for an art project, and she’d requested them. Anybody remember if she posted the results? It’s a funny thing to remember, all of a sudden, and it’s been a long time… but I’d kinda like to find what became of it if there are any pictures still kicking around. Something to remember a truly exceptional Doper by, anyhow. > > Opal, you’ll be missed. Stealth Potato…[anything look familiar](http://fineartamerica.com/featured/burden-of-time-katherine-fernie-howard.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/373 "2013-03-13T03:30:06Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > If it’s not against board rules, could you please tell us how it happened? Thank you. I only met her once in person and she was the reason I went to the Dopefest. She will be missed and personally, I don’t need to know how she went… it’s enough to know she’s gone. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/374 "2013-03-13T03:31:21Z")
I’ve been reading this trying to figure out what to say… as a fellow sufferer of mental illness, I sometimes felt we were traversing similar paths. When she could turn things around, she could be so productive and incredibly creative. I found that inspiring, just like how she kept fighting against whatever adversity she faced. And during one of my most difficult and frightening times, dealing with my husband’s battle with liver disease, she was another Doper who helped us selflessly. She even offered her friendship, but being in another round of deep depression myself, I sadly passed this up this opportunity. I only wish I hadn’t. ☹ She died way too young and the world is a poorer place without her. I hope she’s finally at peace and that her loved ones understand what sort of impact she had. May Dominic avoid any of the problems she couldn’t conquer and find his way to a better future. Love to Katherine. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/375 "2013-03-13T03:37:55Z")
> [@Duke\_of\_Rat](#): > > > [@Gyrate](#): > > > > I’d never seen that before. That is mindblowingly good. > > > > And now I can’t tell her that. > > > > ☹ > > I’ve been watching this thread since it started and couldn’t really find any words. > > I had some vague idea that Opal was an artist, but I hadn’t really taken the time to check it out. Now that it’s too late, I find out that she was pretty friggin’ talented. I was checking out some of her gallery yesterday and some of her paintings looked nearly photographic in their realism. > > I wish I had taken the time to notice that while there was still time to tell her. I thought I had praised **OpalCat** ’s art to her, on this board and in public. I can’t find it. I hope I did praise her work in life, I loved her paintings. If not, that gives us 3 in the “missed opportunity” club. Enough for a proper list ☹ ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/376 "2013-03-13T03:41:45Z")
So Sad ☹ She certainly left a legacy here, and is part of the lore. I’m sure she’s proud of that, and is much more proud of the people and things in her real life. Nothing can truly replace someone’s presence once they are gone, but a large stock of memories can help them stay in mind for a long time. She will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/377 "2013-03-13T03:42:07Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > If it’s not against board rules, could you please tell us how it happened? Thank you. Yes, please. Some of us would like to know, and it’s not prurience, it’s just human nature, and it can make the processing of things easier if you know why. It’s not like Opal kept many details of her life secret, so I don’t think she’d care if the cause of her death was out in the open, either. ---
**Author:** ![applebetty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@applebetty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/applebetty)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/378 "2013-03-13T03:58:23Z")
Peace, Opal. I wish I knew you irl. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/379 "2013-03-13T04:07:35Z")
My deepest condolences to her family and friends. I met her a few times back when ChiDope fests were rife with debauchery, mayhem, and imaginary ass tatoos. I’ll remember her energy and wit. Sigh ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/380 "2013-03-13T04:10:01Z")
Hvil i fred, **Opal**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666.md?page=20)