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Bill Crawford (the publisher) introduced
me to my wife Lucy at one of his Fantasy Faire Conventions in the early
1980's. Although it is possible we met prior to that as Lucy remembered
seeing me at a Convention in about 1977 (when I was about 13!)
Lucy went by the nickname of "Luke" (because her maiden name was
Skywalker) although I very rarely called her that.
Lucy's Father was named Swift-Stallion Skywalker, although he was
better known by his stage name John Ryan (Which he legally changed his
name to.) He worked as a Hollywood
stunt man, and was a regular in the western films of the time. (I
understand from what Lucy told me that
He did several films with Ronald Regan, and appeared as himself in
"It's a Mad Mad Mad World.")
Lucy's mother Peggy Lived
with
us briefly around the time Lucy and I got married. She had just left
her 2nd husband, John Corrigan. It was about that time that she met
Frank Gasperik, who she eventually married. Peggy passed on just a few
weeks before Lucy. Frank Passed in Early 2007. Lucy and I ran into John
Corrigan a few years later living in Hollywood, but quickly lost track
of him.
Lucy had a brother, named Buck; and Two Sisters. I only met Lucy's
youngest sister once and very briefly... and do not remember her name.
Her other sister was named Nancy. Nancy was married to a locksmith
named Roach and they lived in Corona CA.
Lucy had two children from previous relationships. With her first
husband she had a daughter named Angela, who was adopted by Lucy's
sister Nancy. (Nancy was unable to have children, and apparently the
State did not like the way or conditions Angela was being raised in, so
the adoption was arranged.) Lucy also had a son after her first
husband, who she placed for adoption before he was even born. (I
understand the family that adopted him lived in Texas, but we knew
nothing about him.)
Not Long after I met Lucy, she married Darryl Smith. (Who later changed
his name to Darius Bruce White-Smith.) It did not last long though as
Darryl's mother was opposed to the marriage, and convinced him to "Get
Rid" of Lucy. In November of 1982 he bowed to the pressure from his
mother and told Lucy to pack everything up, and brought her to me.
(Actually he dumped her off at my OLD house, not knowing my mother and
I had moved.) [We last saw Darryl in
89 or so, he had just gotten married and had a new baby. But we lost
track of him after that. I seem to remember he was moving to San Jose
or someplace thereabout. ]
I proposed to Lucy suddenly one day; I remember we were having Chinese
Fast Food in the Food Court at DelAmo Mall in Torrance and I just
blurted it out. We were originally planning to wed in I think June or
July, however my mother became quite Ill and passed away in April. Lucy
and I decided to have our wedding on my mother's birthday, September
9th.
Just before our 2nd Anaversery, our Daughter Anna was born. It didn't
come at the best time (but I'm told that Children rarely do.) I was
still not fully recovered from the death of my Mother, and was not
doing a good job at making a life for us.
After 9 years of marriage, Lucy and I separated; Although we never
Divorced. I stayed somewhat in contact but felt that it would be best
to keep my distance both to avoid arguments and I did not want Lucy to
feel I was interfering with her life or raising of Anna. (On Hindsight,
I wish I had ignored my feelings and knowledge of Lucy's past and been
more involved.)
Lucy passed away in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day 2006.
She had been hospitalized the prior week with Pneumonia and had been
released. After several days she began to complain that she could not
breath again and returned to the Hospital. She Collapsed in the
Emergency Room and could not be revived.... I am thankful though for
one thing, that during her first hospital stay I managed to have
a long phone conversation with her and managed to tell her how I still
felt for her.
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