bjarvis: (avatar)
bjarvis ([personal profile] bjarvis) wrote2006-05-30 01:13 pm
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A Friend's Passing

Ellen was my director earlier this decade. At the time, we were both board members of unrelated not-for-profits which dealt with dead & mourning and we chatted frequently about our volunteer work, musical theater and her cats.

She moved into the international relations division of our company, and I was sent out of the downtown offices into the Virginia and Maryland data centers so our paths rarely crossed in the past couple of years. Still, I will miss her.

From http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/28/skydiving.death.ap/index.html



The Associated Press
Sunday, May 28, 2006; 7:44 PM

STERLING, Ohio -- A first-time skydiver slipped from her harness during a jump and fell to her death, authorities said.

Ellen Ann McWilliams, 44, of West Chester, Pa., was participating in a tandem jump Saturday with the AerOhio Skydiving school near Sterling, about 40 miles south of Cleveland, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's office.

During tandem jumps, a novice skydiver is harnessed to the chest of an experienced jumper. When the parachute is deployed, the experienced skydiver guides the team to the ground.

A preliminary investigation by the sheriff's office indicated McWilliams slipped from the harness after the parachute opened.

It is not known how far the woman fell, and the sheriff's office did not release any further details.

A message seeking comment was left Sunday at AerOhio Skydiving.


It's a tremendous comfort to know that when she was having the time of her life right up to the end: it's so like her. In fact, I suspect her last thought would have been something goofy like, "Geez, I wish I had a martini right now."
urbear: (alp mountain imposing)

[personal profile] urbear 2006-05-30 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I noticed that story on Monday morning, and in fact I pointed it out to [livejournal.com profile] joebehrsandiego and [livejournal.com profile] annoyinghandle over breakfast. How odd that you knew her.

[identity profile] bjarvis.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
My cube-next-door colleague said the same thing... she had noted the piece in the Washington Post earlier, not realizing Ellen had worked in our division previously.

[identity profile] stormecho.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Man, that sucks. Sorry to hear. Patrick has always wanted to sky-dive and in the beginning of our relationship, we actually went and began to sign up, but we wanted a tandem jump instead of line jump, which was all that was offered that day. I remember you had to sign your life away and resolve them of any negligence before you could go. A video lawyer laid it out in easy terms - you or your family have NO recourse in the event of problems. I think he may still want to go someday, but we'll see.

[identity profile] bjarvis.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I've wanted to go skydiving for a while... a friend of mine & I will probably give it a try some time in early July or so, once the IAGSDC convention madness is over. Ellen would be delighted to know that I'll be triple-checking my harness from now on.

[identity profile] paigemom.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Remind me to send Kent a really big mop...

[identity profile] london-bill.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
If I were you, I'd dedicate your jump to Ellen and take a picture of her with you.

[identity profile] bjarvis.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I was thinking about doing something just like that. Great minds think alike. :-)

[identity profile] london-bill.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
My mom always says, "Great minds thing alike, but fool seldom differ". Not sure what it really means, but I think she keeps saying I am a fool.

[identity profile] bjarvis.livejournal.com 2006-05-31 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like she's covering all the bases: no matter the outcome, she's reserved the ability to say, "I told you so, but would you listen? No. Always have to do things your way! Just like your father..."

Yeah, I've heard that script a few times. In a kind & loving way, of course. :-)

[identity profile] kent4str.livejournal.com 2006-05-31 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Just make sure your insurance is paid up, and don't expect me to watch!

[identity profile] billeyler.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Whew! That'll keep ME from ever trying that.

[identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I am so sorry that you lost your friend ... Hugs ...

[identity profile] bjarvis.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks.

un-freakin-believable

[identity profile] ohwolfman.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
The boys on the Blvd & I were just discussing this story last night over cocktails. Unbelievable. Sorry about your friend's passing.

Re: un-freakin-believable

[identity profile] bjarvis.livejournal.com 2006-05-30 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I always figured most of my friends would eventually show up in "News of the Wierd."