Bye, Opal

[carnivorousplant]

@OpalCat_s_Mom

3. Goodbye, Katherine, you are always with me

I am touched, Ma’am.
Thank you.

[Bookkeeper]

I didn’t know OpalCat, but you couldn’t be on the Dope for long without knowing *of *her. She seemed to have one of those personalities that spread far beyond her physical presence. My condolences to her son and family.

[Billdo]

@andygirl

I remember that Dopefest. Opal walked into Bill’s apartment; I think we might have been gathering for brunch? She had long brown hair. Someone said, “I thought you shaved your head?”. She reached up and pulled off the wig, and then brought out markers so people could draw on her if they wanted.

It was ten years ago, and one of the things I remember most clearly about that weekend.

That was one of my Sunday brunches in the hey-day of the New York Dopefests. I would squeeze 30 or 40 people into my small apartment for bagels and lox. When Opal came, she was a highlight to everyone there.

She always had such energy and verve, while being open and welcoming to those who just knew her as the internet icon that she was.

I will miss her, of course, and cannot imagine the loss to Dominic.

My thoughts and prayers to the whole family.

[DrFidelius]

It had taken me a few days, and I cannot come up with anything more pithy than “shit.”
She will be missed

[TruCelt]

So terribly sorry to hear this.

[dropzone]

She was a friend here and a bit IRL, and one of three people I knew of here before I joined, a name that told me I’d like it here. I will always miss her.

@Nava

Vaya. Sorry, it’s the Dope.

This made me laugh and that allowed the tears to start flowing. It was both cathartic and a reminder that, no matter what, life does go on. Thank you, Nava.

[JillGat]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.

Quote: Originally posted by Twixter
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

@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.

Thanks,

twickster, for the SDMB

People often debate whether it is best to die suddenly, or to know ahead of time that you are going to die; giving you time to tie up loose ends, to say goodbye, etc.
You can read or interpret my comment whatever the f. way you want. I meant it in the spirit of who Opal was to most of us. To be honest, my first thought was one of sadness that she would not be able to illustrate and document this important part of her life, as she had all others.

I’ve “thought twice about it” Twixter, and am again amused and stand by what I wrote. Unlike Twixter, I didn’t describe Opal as “admittedly, occasionally hated.”

Jill

[Edward_The_Head]

@Acsenray

A list of three from Opal’s mom! It’s a small thing but somehow warming.

Where do you think Opal got it from?

[WarmNPrickly]

[Cheshire_Human]

My condolences to her new fiance, Jack. He deserved more time with her.

[JillGat]

@Idle_Thoughts

Sorry, I meant topics such as the following:

Let’s leave the talk of drama and the like out of the thread.

Wow. OpalCat would have been appalled by this post! Leave out the drama? Blasphemy, I say.

OpalCat’s Mom, I am very sorry for your loss. She was indeed larger than life and will live on through all her writings and art. I do hope that somebody will collect it all in one place. She was an amazing example of our species.

[BMalion]

@OpalCat_s_Mom

She made a wonderful bronze sculpture called The Burden of Time. http://gallery2.opalcat.com/gallery2/v/Art/Sculptureand3D/burden_of_time/

It’s beautiful.

[MadTheSwine]

I am crying for a person I never met,I wish I would have.
3

[Mister_Rik]

Well damn. I didn’t have a whole lot of interaction with her, but she and I are listed two names apart in the “special thanks” section of one of the “Web Sites That Suck” books.

(Two names apart because “OpalCat” comes just before “Rik Osborne” in an alphabetical listing.)

[ExTank]

{{{{{{To Everyone}}}}}}

Bye, Opal.

[Oakminster]

RIP, Opal. Condolences to the family.

[psychobunny]

I never knew Opal but I certainly knew of her. My favorite post of hers never failed to make me smile. It was in the thread about the horrible photoshopping of kiddie pageant photos. I give to you the infamous pageant kitty!.

Thanks Opal for making me smile.

[Nzinga_Seated]

HAAAAA!! Oh my god, I can’t believe that cat post-makeover. That is hilarious!

[MoodIndigo1]

@Cheshire_Human

My condolences to her new fiance, Jack. He deserved more time with her.

I’m with you on that one, Cheshire Human.
Her mom said OpalCat was happy the last few months. It’s comforting for us to know as well, so thank you, OpalCat’s Mom for telling us.

[BMalion]

looks up…

3. Hi Opal!