# 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:** 25
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/482 "2013-03-14T17:44:51Z")
It’s been an age since I last posted; met a guy, took a new job, moved to the other side of the planet. So many familiar names. People I know and like and argued with and… …one missing. Rest in peace, Opal, and condolences to her mother and son especially. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/483 "2013-03-14T18:23:06Z")
There are thousands of Dopers, but really only a few that stick in your memory. She was one, for me. What I knew of her suggested a brilliant mind. I think few of us will ever really comprehend what we’ve lost with her. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/484 "2013-03-14T18:57:14Z")
Bye, **Opal**. You’ll always be #3 around here. ---
**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, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/485 "2013-03-14T19:02:12Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Bye, **Opal**. > > You’ll always be #3 around here. 🙂 ---
**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, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/486 "2013-03-14T19:31:21Z")
I resolve to always make my third item: “3. Props to Opal.” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/487 "2013-03-14T19:34:15Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Bye, **Opal**. > > You’ll always be #3 around here. When custom titles were enabled, hers was a reference to the #3 thing. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/488 "2013-03-14T19:36:23Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Bye, **Opal**. > > You’ll always be #3 around here. That made me smile a little, too. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/489 "2013-03-14T19:47:33Z")
> [@Algernon](#): > > Indeed. I cannot remember the last time I posted, though I have been a member since 2001. > > I did not know **Opal** IRL, but the two-item-list rule and “3 Hi Opal” was one of the first things I was exposed to. I have to smile in fond memory of those days so long ago. Over the years I only had a peripheral knowledge of her struggles. > > May she now rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones. > [@Gedd](#): > > Bye, **Opal**. > > You’ll always be #3 around here. > [@Acsenray](#): > > I resolve to always make my third item: > > “3. Props to Opal.” After I joined “3. Hi Opal” was the first Dope meme I learned of. Honestly I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/490 "2013-03-14T20:52:05Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Bye, **Opal**. > > You’ll always be #3 around here. That’s perfect. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/491 "2013-03-14T22:00:31Z")
When I read the comments about **OpalCat** starting a long, dramatic, and possibly TMI thread about etc., I chuckled with _affectionate_ remembrance and thought, “that’s **OpalCat**!” “May her memory be a blessing.” ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/492 "2013-03-14T22:05:42Z")
Aloha, Opal. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/493 "2013-03-14T22:17:47Z")
1. Damn. 2. Damn damn. 3. Bye Opal. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/494 "2013-03-14T22:21:26Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Stealth Potato…[anything look familiar](http://fineartamerica.com/featured/burden-of-time-katherine-fernie-howard.html)? Wow, I love that. Wish I’d known her better, longer, even if only on the boards. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat\_s\_Mom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ba8739/32.png) [@OpalCat\_s\_Mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat_s_Mom)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/495 "2013-03-14T23:42:10Z")
Katherine was indeed a complex, very intelligent and talented artist and a generous soul with a heart willing to extend herself to many people. The scope of her social media connections is mind-boggling. None of her web sites has been taken down. Her family is very comforted to know that she had found so much happiness her last few months. We do not believe that she intentionally ended her life, but I believe her death was related to her bipolar disorder and an impulsive accident that went tragically wrong. When I see a spectacular sunset, I might imagine that she is helping God with His artistry. Know that Dominic is with his incredibly loving and nurturing father and is doing better than we might have imagined. He is a sensitive young man who, even now, is extending his compassion to others who were touched by his mother’s life. I see so many of her best qualities in him. I have been asked to provide information about memorial services and a place to contribute to a fund for Dominic. I will have to draft a trust agreement and make other arrangements in order to set up such a fund. When that is accomplished, I will post details everyplace I have knowledge of and access to post. As for memorial services, there will be two: 1. 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23rd, at Faith Community Eastside Church, 8456 E. Golf Links Road, Tucson 2. 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30th in Room 201 at Morningside Presbyterian Church, 1411 N. Morningside Drive NE, Atlanta 3. Goodbye, Katherine, you are always with me ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/496 "2013-03-14T23:49:03Z")
Thank you for coming here and sharing, **OpalCat’s Mom**. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/497 "2013-03-14T23:51:30Z")
1. Thanks, **OpalCat’s Mom** 2. My sincere condolences 3. You are welcome here anytime. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat\_s\_Mom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ba8739/32.png) [@OpalCat\_s\_Mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat_s_Mom)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/498 "2013-03-15T00:02:27Z")
> [@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. She made a wonderful bronze sculpture called The Burden of Time. [http://gallery2.opalcat.com/gallery2/v/Art/Sculptureand3D/burden\_of\_time/](http://gallery2.opalcat.com/gallery2/v/Art/Sculptureand3D/burden_of_time/) ---
**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 15, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/499 "2013-03-15T00:09:00Z")
A list of three from Opal’s mom! It’s a small thing but somehow warming. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/500 "2013-03-15T00:18:09Z")
Thanks for the information! My condolences again. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666/501 "2013-03-15T00:27:57Z")
1. \<\<\< **OpalCat’s Mom** \>\>\> 2. dang it is dusty in here 3. RIP OpalCat [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-opal/652666.md?page=26)