Luto for Louise McGann

I am very sad to report that Louise McGann, a good friend and long-term resident of SMA, passed away on June 10, 2007. She and I had lunch together about 10 days before she passed, and she was, as always, vibrant and talkative, and as she did last year, expressed her contentment with her life in San Miguel.

I will miss her wisdom and insights into her beloved community. My deepest condolences to her friends and family.

Luto for Virginia Tech

Today's post is not about immigration, amnesty, or Americans who retire abroad.

I was perusing the web when I came across a breaking news story: a gunman had opened fire on the Virginia Tech campus this morning, at least one person was dead. An hour later, the estimated was 22.

As a college professor in Virginia, this incident obviously hits close to home. One of the beauties of campus life, particularly in Virginia, is that the campus buildings are open. Students, professors and visitors walk freely in a place that is very much part of everyday life, but nonetheless a world apart.

Today that world changed. I extend my deepest sympathies to the Virginia Tech community, as well as their families. The dark shadow of the events there touch all of us.

Luto for Tirzah Mailkoff

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Tirzah Mailkoff, a long-time resident of San Miguel de Allende. I met Tirzah last summer. She and her partner lived a few doors down from my family in the same condo complex, and I was fortunate to interview her while I was there. She was 100 years old, exceptionally sharp, and had a wonderful wit. I feel honored to have known her.

Tirzah was a music and piano teacher most of her life. She is best known as the founder of the Junior Bach Festival in Berkeley, California (on the link above go to "About us" and then "Tirzah Mailkoff in her own words").

Luto for Sue Reid

I was saddened to learn that Sue Reid, a longtime resident of San Miguel de Allende, passed away on January 11 in Houston. I met Sue last summer in the course of my fieldwork and she gave a wonderful oral history. An expert raconteur, Sue's insights about life in SMA were informative and entertaining. She will be missed.

Luto for Philip J. Maher

For those of you who have been following this blog since I began my fieldwork in San Miguel last summer, you'll recall my interview with Philip J. Maher, SMA's former Consular official. I'm sorry to report that Mr. Maher, who was an outstanding and insightful informant, passed away in San Miguel on December 23, 2006 after a long illness.