The Black Dahlia

[draclvr]

It is with great sadness that I tell you that The Black Dahlia passed away this morning. She had severe pulmonary fibrosis and had been living in an assisted living facility since October. I spoke to her by phone about 2 or 3 weeks ago and she could barely speak then and knew she didn't have long. Her son just notified us - me and Rosaboobie - a few minutes ago.

Peace and godspeed to you, my friend.

[Val]

Rest In Peace, dear BD. At last no more suffering. You will be missed.

My sincere condolences to her son and family.

[LadyKestrel]

Ah, this makes me so sad. She was such a lovely lady and will be sorely missed here. Her son and family have my deepest sympathy.

[Stella]

We will miss you, but never forget you Black Dahlia.

[Lucien21]

That's very sad. RIP Dahlia, you will be missed.

[Rosaboobie]

Such very sad news - Drac and I have communicated daily with Donna for many many years, and for sure she will be sadly missed. Such a lovely lady and I am so very glad she made the move last year to VA to be near her family.

[JKEerie]

Very sad news. Godspeed, BD...into the arms of the angels. My deepest sympathies to her family and to you Drac and Rosy, who never let her feel she was forgotten.

[StarLite]

This is indeed a sad day. I'm so sorry to hear this news. May Dahlia rest in peace in that Mystery Manor in the sky. Sympathies to her family. She was a lovely person who will be missed :(

[Phlebas]

Sad news. Praying peace for her and comfort for her family.

[Diat60]

Sorry to hear such sad news. I had been wondering how she was. It's good to think that she'd had a very long life with her beloved birds and was able to live where she wanted, doing what she wanted. Much to envy there. She will not be forgotten.

If there are any photos of her, perhaps you could post one or two.

[draclvr]

This is the only one I can find. It's her Facebook profile picture. It was taken about 5 years ago when she finally retired at age 87 from teaching at a local college in California. Donna had begun a steep decline in her health about 3 years ago - she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. She struggled to continue living on her own until last winter when Rosaboobie and I moved heaven and earth to get her to finally reach out to her son on the east coast for help. We feared on a daily basis that she would die in her home alone and no one would find her because she had isolated herself so completely. He moved her out with his family and they tried to help her adjust - even bringing her birds with her. But it was just not to be as her health continued to deteriorate to the point where they had to move her to an assisted living facility in October.

[Rosaboobie]

That is a lovely photo of Donna - I sure hope I look as good as that at age 87, but I doubt it lol.

[mbday630]

RIP Black Dahlia. I hope her family finds peace and comfort in that she lived a full life, full of love for people and her birds. I do hope I look that good at 87. Heck, I don't look that good now!

[StarLite]

Wow, she was a beauty. She will be dearly missed indeed

[Diat60]

Thanks for posting the picture, Drac. It's nice to be able to put a face with a name, especially when many of us felt we "knew" her. She looked like a lady with a zest for life.