Dewey
Most of you probably have heard the news by now.
I'm stunned. I think shock and disbelief are common enough reactions when we hear that someone has passed away. But somehow that's even more noticeable when it's someone we knew online, because there isn't even a physical absence - just silence where words used to be. And somehow that makes it even more difficult to process. Just a week ago she was helping me with the Christmas Swap and we were exchanging e-mails. And now she's gone.
My thoughts are with her family and friends, who will miss her more than we can imagine. But I think it's not at all an exaggeration to say that the book blogging community will never be the same again without her. Her absence will always be felt. Her energy and commitment were amazing. She had an incredibly talent for dealing with people and for bringing them together.
Dewey was one of my favourite people, and I will miss her terribly. I loved reading her posts - I loved her amazing sense of humour, her intelligence, her unpretentiousness, her insight, her warmth, the things she believed in and was passionate about, the causes that were close to her heart. I think all of this came across in her blog, and they were some of the reasons why I admired her so much.
We will miss you SO much, Dewey.
I'm stunned. I think shock and disbelief are common enough reactions when we hear that someone has passed away. But somehow that's even more noticeable when it's someone we knew online, because there isn't even a physical absence - just silence where words used to be. And somehow that makes it even more difficult to process. Just a week ago she was helping me with the Christmas Swap and we were exchanging e-mails. And now she's gone.
My thoughts are with her family and friends, who will miss her more than we can imagine. But I think it's not at all an exaggeration to say that the book blogging community will never be the same again without her. Her absence will always be felt. Her energy and commitment were amazing. She had an incredibly talent for dealing with people and for bringing them together.
Dewey was one of my favourite people, and I will miss her terribly. I loved reading her posts - I loved her amazing sense of humour, her intelligence, her unpretentiousness, her insight, her warmth, the things she believed in and was passionate about, the causes that were close to her heart. I think all of this came across in her blog, and they were some of the reasons why I admired her so much.
We will miss you SO much, Dewey.
I love what you wrote about Dewey in that last paragraph, Nymeth. You really nailed so many of the things that I adored so much about her. Like you, I'm just in such a state of shock. I'd even sent her an e-mail this morning before James put up the news. You're so right...the book blogging world will never be the same. And neither will the worlds of all those who loved her so. (((HUGE HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteHugs to you Nymeth.
ReplyDeleteShe was definitely one of the best community builders out there. We will miss her so much.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I'm just stunned too.
ReplyDeleteI was completely and utterly lost for words when I saw the news earlier.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely miss her presence in the community, as no doub will everyone she came in contact with.
I was stunned this morning when I read the post also. It is so sad. Her absence will be noticed greatly here in the blogging community. Hugs today to you Nymeth. I know you were close.
ReplyDeleteI am still in a state of shock. My heart hurts right now, and I'm just so sad. It made me realize how much I care for the people in this community. Probably more so than most of the people I know in "real life".
ReplyDeleteThings just won't be the same.
I was shocked to read the news.
ReplyDeleteShe will be missed.
Kind thoughts are being sent to her family and friends, including you Nymeth.
With hugs
Lynda
Nymeth, I don't even know what to say. I know it's silly to say, But she was so alive a week ago! But that's what makes it so unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteDear Nymeth,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this sad news...I hadn't heard until I checked your blog. I, too, am stunned! Dewey changed the book blogging community and the way we all interacted with each other--she was such a great ideas person! She will be sorely missed.
Hugs to you.
Robin
Nymeth
ReplyDeleteThat was beautifully put. I was astonished by Dewey's energy and commitment to building book bloggers into a community.
I couldn't have put how I feel about the loss any better than you did.
Thank you.
Thanks for the wonderful post about Dewey. All well said.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Dewey, just knew of her, but am still shocked at this news. How very, very sad.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I am in shock.
ReplyDeleteHow very sad.
You described her well here in your post.
She will be sorely missed.
(((hugs)))
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I didn't know until I read your post, Nymeth. I am still in shock. Dewey is one of the best amongst the bookblog community! She will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteDebi: Oh Debi :( Huge hugs back to you.
ReplyDeleteA big, big hug to everyone, and thank you for your kind words. You all understand how I feel. She really will be sorely missed by all of us.
And Trish, that really doesn't sound silly. I feel the same way. My first thought was "But I just talked to her last week! She can't be gone!"
I noticed she hadn't updated in a while (which is unlike her really) but I never saw this. When I checked my Google Reader this morning and saw "sad news" my jaw dropped. I told my boyfriend about it, people at work, these people, like me didn't know her, but knew what an inspiration she was to me. I have started blogging in the past few months and have looked to her blog as how I would wish for mine to ultimately be.
ReplyDeleteShe was a great writer and very generous. I couldn't wait to read her new posts. I'm sadden just as you all are. My thoughts and well wishes are sent out to her family.
What a beautiful tribute to Dewey Nymeth. Big hugs to you and too everyone in this community. This has really made me think about how much I care about each and everyone of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so so sorry to hear this. I'm shocked too. I love reading her comments and see her involvement in the blogging community. And her love for books! My thoughts and prayers go out to her husband, family and to you as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nymeth. What a beautiful tribute. I don't think I knew Dewey as well as some folks, but she was one of my first regular visitors and holds a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard before I read your post now either having been without regular computer access over the weekend. I am completely shocked.
ReplyDeleteDewey bought so much to the book blogging community through her various projects, but more than anything she bought an abundance of energy, vigour and enthusiasm.
She will indeed by sadly missed.
I just read and am devastated for those close to her both in her 'real' life and online. It is so painful to lose someone and I personally feel saddened that I only had a cursory relationship with her online. She was an amazing inspiration as a blogger and looking back I am very thankful for the brief conversations and events that we shared. I'm sorry for your loss Nymeth as well. I was very excited that Dewey was joining in on the swap and now I feel that this has even more meaning as a tribute to her. My prayers go out to her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely post Nymeth. I actually did think of you when I read this because I remembered you guys were putting together the book blogger swap. I'm just stunned.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you!
Oh no, that is so terribly sad. I send prayers to her family and all who knew her.
ReplyDeleteI just found out and I am so sad for her and her family. Thank you so much for your post about her, Nymeth. I thought of you right away because of the Christmas swap you were sharing. I'm going to miss her so much, she was friendly to every blogger, and welcoming, and shared her love and interest in books with all of us. She truly was a bright light in our blogging community. This is so sad and unexpected, and my thoughts go to her family especially.
ReplyDeleteHere's a hug for you, Nymeth.
I've been spending the evening going from blog to blog reading all of the tributes to Dewey. I am still in shock and teary eyes. She will be greatly missed. Hug to you Nymeth!
ReplyDeleteI had to interview students for finals today and I didn't hear a word they said...all I could think was: Oh, Dewey, please don't be gone.
ReplyDeleteI was also shocked. Dewey was amazing - to have so much energy for the blogging community when she was so ill. My thougths are with her family and friends. Hugs to you Nymeth.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the book blogging community won't be the same without her.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I thought of you too when I read the news. I still can't really believe it! She will be truly missed!
ReplyDelete(((Hugs)))
Wow what do you say when someone is gone so quickly. I will be thinking of her family who must be devastated. I know so many people online will miss her, including me.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that it might be nice for those bloggers who are Weekly Geeks to pay tribute to Dewey in the next week or so. To take the time to post to their blogs a "Weekly Geek" post about Dewey--maybe share their favorite posts from her site, maybe share a memory or two about participating in weekly geeks, the bookworms carnival, the 24 Hour Readathon, or one of Dewey's challenges, maybe just share a favorite memory of Dewey in general, what they'll miss most, how they'll remember her, etc. I'm going to try to post mine this Saturday--but bloggers anywhere and everywhere are encouraged to post whenever they want.
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested please SPREAD the word to all your blogging friends.
Becky, I think it's a wonderful idea and a beautiful way to pay her homage. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, everyone. I really hope she knew how much we all appreciated her.
Hi Ana, I am so sorry, I did not know Dewey as well as many of you did. I agree with Trish. I visited Dewey's blog a couple of weeks ago and the Christmas drive I wasn't able to do and it is diffcult for me to read that such a vibrant woman is gone, it is so sad...:(
ReplyDeleteI left you a message on Nat's blog to.
Thanks for putting it so wonderfully. Hugs. I'm still hoping it's all a hacker or something.
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful tribute Nymeth, Dewey's was the first blog I read and she was such an inspiration. She will be missed :(
ReplyDelete((hugs))
Its hard for me to think about the book blogging world without Dewey. But I think we can carry on her good works
ReplyDelete