# 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:** 23
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/441 "2013-03-13T23:20:58Z")
> [@JillGat](#): > > I didn’t suspect suicide, because if it had been intentional, I think Opal would have posted online a long, dramatically detailed and illustrated note, with links and a forum. > [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > That hadn’t occurred to me, but I suspect you’re right. Or else started a thread asking for input on how she should do it based on xyz very specific factors and then shot down every single suggestion anyone made. Although we allow critical comments about the deceased in threads announcing the death of non-members, I ask that people keep in mind that this is a thread about a longstanding, well known, and much loved (and, admittedly, occasionally hated) member of our community. Many people are genuinely upset about her death, so please think twice before making jokes or otherwise commenting on Opal’s persona. Thanks, **twickster** , for the SDMB ---
**Author:** ![RickG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rickg/32/5174_2.png) [@RickG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickG)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/442 "2013-03-13T23:23:15Z")
Mostly been a lurker since I joined up so many years ago, and so never really interacted with **OpalCat** , but I certainly knew she was here. Joined Fathom at some point when the SDMB had some kind of longish-term interruption, though didn’t really stay there after it came back. Seemed like she ran it as a very welcoming place. Very sad to see this news. May her memory be a blessing to all those who knew her. -Rick ---
**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, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/443 "2013-03-13T23:52:54Z")
Don’t want to hijack this thread, so: [How did the Old Dopers find out about OpalCat’s passing?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16095699#post16095699) ---
**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 14, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/444 "2013-03-14T01:13:49Z")
> [@JillGat](#): > > I didn’t suspect suicide, because if it had been intentional, I think Opal would have posted online a long, dramatically detailed and illustrated note, with links and a forum. 🙂 I hope I’m remembered like that when I shuffle off the mortal coil. No, Swampbear, you may NOT have my CDs. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/445 "2013-03-14T01:20:03Z")
I remember she had posted once after her surgery that people were welcome to stop by the hospital and visit. I figured it wasn’t all that far away and I should probably find the time, but I never got around to it. Stupid. My condolences and best wishes to her family. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/447 "2013-03-14T01:30:18Z")
> [@Dr\_Shakard](#): > > I know there are some people that were feeling bad about relentlessly harassing and e-bullying her. And reposting her nude photos? Not so classy. RIP Opal. Huh? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/448 "2013-03-14T01:34:35Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Huh? Long story, not appropriate for this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/449 "2013-03-14T01:44:33Z")
Then open a new thread. That’s a bombshell of a drive by. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/450 "2013-03-14T01:49:58Z")
I am sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences to her loved ones. She was a quirky soul, an open book and a bit of a diva - Today I heard Strawberry Fields Forever, just made me think of her. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/451 "2013-03-14T01:55:57Z")
This is so sad. I can’t believe it - OpalCat, gone? I’ve never had much (if any) interaction with her, but she was always a presence. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/452 "2013-03-14T01:59:34Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Although we allow critical comments about the deceased in threads announcing the death of non-members, I ask that people keep in mind that this is a thread about a longstanding, well known, and much loved (and, admittedly, occasionally hated) member of our community. Many people are genuinely upset about her death, so please think twice before making jokes or otherwise commenting on Opal’s persona. Snark or not, gotta say they both said something that had me nodding and saying to myself, “That’s our Opal.” That _was_ our Opal, I guess I should say. Sigh. Haven’t seen her in an eon or two, since she moved out of the DC area, but it’s sad news all the same. It’s too bad neither of the memorial services are particularly convenient for MADopers, but maybe we in the DC area who remember her fondly should get together sometime soon for an informal wake. ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Incognito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guy_incognito/32/3920_2.png) [@Guy\_Incognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Incognito)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/453 "2013-03-14T01:59:44Z")
I am shocked and deeply saddened by this news. I wish peace to Opal and the loved ones she leaves behind. ☹ ---
**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 14, 2013, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/454 "2013-03-14T02:02:23Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Huh? I vaguely remember that. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/455 "2013-03-14T02:06:56Z")
I’m terribly saddened to learn of Opal’s passing. This community has lost part of its soul. Condolences to her survivors. Safe travels, Opal. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/456 "2013-03-14T02:08:51Z")
Oh Opal, I was wondering why I hadn’t seen a post from you recently. This makes me so sad to hear. My condolences to all whose hearts she touched. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/457 "2013-03-14T02:10:23Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Then open a new thread. That’s a bombshell of a drive by. No need to rehash here. The story is easy to find if you search for threads started by her. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/458 "2013-03-14T02:31:31Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Then open a new thread. That’s a bombshell of a drive by. Dude, she started a thread about it. It was the “they hacked my website” that turned out to be “no, they really didn’t” debacle. It was a fairly big deal at the time and should be easy to find in a search. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/459 "2013-03-14T02:56:11Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Snark or not, gotta say they both said something that had me nodding and saying to myself, “That’s our Opal.” > > That _was_ our Opal, I guess I should say. Sigh. > > Haven’t seen her in an eon or two, since she moved out of the DC area, but it’s sad news all the same. It’s too bad neither of the memorial services are particularly convenient for MADopers, but maybe we in the DC area who remember her fondly should get together sometime soon for an informal wake. Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/460 "2013-03-14T02:58:36Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > Dude, she started a thread about it. It was the “they hacked my website” that turned out to be “no, they really didn’t” debacle. It was a fairly big deal at the time and should be easy to find in a search. Here we go… I don’t have any “friends” on the internet, only in real life, and I’ve never posted in a memorial thread, but I feel that I need to pay my respects. She was a big part of what this place became and is today. RIP ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/461 "2013-03-14T02:59:10Z")
I’m very sorry for her friends and family. It’s difficult to imagine the SDMB without her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666.md?page=24)