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For everyone who knew her, Lola Grey passed away this morning at 11AM. Her brother was with her and services are pending.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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What a blessing this women was. So much knowledge and loved her place in life.
Thanks for sharing, Kent.
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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for those of us who dont know of her, please add some of what she had done.....
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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So sorry to hear this. She was such a wonderful lady.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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The world was a much better place because of Lola. Her passing leaves sadness, but she looked forward to a place that has far more advantages than this world.
For those that did not know her, you missed one of the true ladies.
She and her late husband had a very unique way of rescuing young men off the streets whose lives were going downhill - mainly due to alcohol and drugs. One of her most famous rescues was Rick Glawson. She was a mother to Rick when his own family had given up on him.
She called a lot of folks "her boys" and never failed to brighten the world around her.
Lola was a partner with Rick Glawson in his business and probably knew as much about glass restoration as he did. It was rare to see Rick without Lola at his side.
What a great lady. She will be missed.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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was it a result of surgical complications? I had called her a couple weeks ago and she was going to have skin cancer removed from her cheek on the 18th, was going to call her tonite to see how it went
-------------------- Pete Payne Willowlake Design/Canadian Signcrafters Bayfield, ON
[ January 21, 2008, 06:06 PM: Message edited by: FranCisco Vargas ]
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Ah Kent, what sad news, I remember them way back from the early 80's meeting them in San Jose. Then later doing an interview with Lola and Rick at the Conclave 15 for Sign Builders Illustrated. Sorry to hear about her demise. she was a very caring lady and will be missed by many. May she rest in peace...
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Yep, that's sad to hear. I always think of her every now and then. I wondered on how she is doing. And now she is gone, but I will still think of her.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3813 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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She has had many health complications, especially this past year. After some hospital stays, she was in a rehab home and her brother was with her. She had a good breakfast this morning then said her heart hurt and she just died.
I will post more once I hear details of arrangements etc.
-------------------- Kent Smith Smith Sign Studio P.O.Box 2385, Estes Park, CO 80517-2385 kent@smithsignstudio.com Posts: 1025 | From: Estes Park, CO | Registered: Nov 1998
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I only spent time with Lola at one Conclave. She had such a passion for life, and for the work she and Rick did together.
I got to sit with her at a meal and she shared with me some stories of Rick and his life and the things she cared for.
Mostly I'll remember Lola by the sparkle in her eyes!
Thank you for enriching my life Lola!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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I don't know if this applies to others, but I suspect it is true. Most of us have 2 sides.
There's the public side we allow most people to see, but underneath all that BS, many of us are simply garbage trucks. Let me explain.
From the day we are born, we allow people to dump garbage into out subconsious. In many cases we do it ourselves. Every failure, hurt, and negative experience in our lives get tossed into the garbage truck inside our brains. In 55 years, a person can really build up a nice pile of crap that results in low self esteem.
Everyonce in awhile, you meet someone who can see right into your heart. In my life, I can think of 3 or 4 that fall into this catagory. Lola was one.
We were at a hotel in Texas when Rick died. Everyone was calling Lola to offer her their condolances. I'm not good at these types of calls and often end up saying something really dumb. So I put it off. Promised myself that I would call when all the dust settled.
I never made that call. As time went on, it became harder and harder to pickup that phone. The guilt was terrible.
Time went by. We were at a meet with the Percells. The phone was being passed around and it was suddenly in my hand. It was Lola.
I was secretly hoping she had forgotten me. She was pretty old.
"Hello Steve", she said. "How are you and Barb doing. I haven't heard from you in a longtime."
I started to apoligize and go down a list of excuses, but she stopped me, told me to forget about all that and pretty well removed a load of guilt from my shoulders.
She went on to talk about her faith in God and people. It was almost as if she was looking inside my soul and telling me about myself. One can only imagine the effect she had on those fortunite enough to be called one of Her Boys.
Lola will live on through all the people she touched. That includes Her Boys and their Children as well as Letterheads everywhere. Well done Lola.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
posted
thanks for pics Kim, wish i'd taken some when i was at her place a couple years ago, seeing rick and lola together again sure brings back alot of memeories of TWO great mentors
-------------------- Pete Payne Willowlake Design/Canadian Signcrafters Bayfield, ON
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Lola sounds like quite a person, someone to inspire us all.
May she rest in peace
-------------------- Bob Noyes Digital Graffiti 310 Main St NE Mapleton, MN 56065 Posts: 130 | From: Mapleton, MN | Registered: Nov 2007
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My deepest Condolences... Nice Story Steve.. and I know exactly how you feel about these sort of things... some times just a "I'm Sorry" is enough is'nt it.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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I am one of the lucky ones who met her years ago and it was at that first meeting that she told me the whole story of how she got involved with Rick. If it weren't for her, we all would have missed out on one of the best people to enrich the Letterhead experience. What a blessing she gave all of us. Bill
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Lola is my friend. Lola didn't have but one side to her, and whether she was in a letterhead environment or at church or in a restaurant or in the bank or the market, she was the same person, with the same love and message. It was always sad to watch her hurt and become more swollen and immobilized, yet none of the hurt seemed to compare to loosing her husband or Rick. Last time I saw Lola was eating home canned peaches in her kitchen and those incredible peppers she grew along the fence line. Lola lived in her home longer than anyone else in that neighborhood, there before most of the others were born. She was the only remaining anglo in that block. I loved to hear her tell of the changes she saw over the years, but mostly, her love for people. I'm glad this forum is here for this type of sharing, and yes Kimberly ZP, I did take that photo.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I had met Lola at meetings when she came with Rick. I never asked why Lola was always with Rick; they just were. I didn't really know about the depth of her love for our craft until later. Every meeting I went to, if Rick was there, Lola was there. When I hosted the "Mad SIGNtist Symposium meet, they both came. I was living in Missouri when "Daddy Fine Gold" died and I didn't find out about it until months later. Words can not express how thankful I am for the contributions Lola made in keeping Rick's incredible achivements in tact - and to the Purcells, Kent Smith and others for their "rescue" efforts. Lola was always so sweet. I didn't post this here on the board but I lost my mother less than a month ago. It's hard to give someone up but it makes it a lot more bearable knowing they didn't live their lives invain and unprepared.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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don't forget her persimmons, had to eat some last time there, she just wouldn't let me leave empty handed. She used to tell me about a woman who moved in next door and would bring her meals and spend time with her but i never got there phone number. Does anyone have contact info for them, or for Yoder, he was there for her too and i'd like to thank them for that
-------------------- Pete Payne Willowlake Design/Canadian Signcrafters Bayfield, ON
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I think Yoder went to visit Lola weekly. I admire him. There were so many conversations I had with Lola over the years that I wished I could have had with my mom that is still alive. We felt very connected and her love for my kids was always touching, and yes, I remember those persimmons.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Truly a sad day, I wasn't one of her boys, but she never let on different, she treated us all as if we were part of her family....I feel truly blessed to have known her, I will miss her, and the persimmons, always came home w/at least a weeks worth.....
I have Yoders info if needed....sorry, need time alone right now....
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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Deepest condolences...I never meet Lola but she sounds like a great woman of faith.She will be missed. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My deepest sympathies also for Lola. She had so many people that loved her and spoke about the closeness of Lola and Rick. I never met her personally, but they both touched our hearts through all of your experiences and stories of the fondest nature. What a fine woman and human being she was; I regret I never made it to the Conclaves to meet her and also Rick. May your memories shine forever in our hearts, Deb
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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I cannot imagine Rick becoming the man he was, had it not been for Lola. As Rick's partner she made Esoteric Supply a going concern, allowing Rick to turn his attention to the gilding and restoration. They were such an odd couple; this tiny, fiercely protective elderly woman and the endlessly patient and helpful gentle giant. I'm so glad to have managed to attend one Conclave, and regret all the ones I put off "til next year" for one stupid reason or another.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I met Lola at the two Conclave's I attended. She was just as Cam describes above.
I remember her wonderful garden out behind the shop. And the first kumquat fruit I ever tasted, that so amazed me I had to get my own tree, which I still have, up here in the (now) frozen north!
I'm glad to here she's gone on to be with Rick, who I bet is showing her all those golden streets!!
posted
In 2003 while I was in Long Beach I made the trip (along with Kathy and Bob Gilliland) over to see Lola and to take her out to dinner. I had heard that she loved See's chocolates, so we brought a box along to cheer her up.
Even though we got lost and were about an hour late, she treated us royally and gave the Gillilands the "tour" of Rick's memories.
As far as I know, this is the last photo I have of her (it was taken by Bob). A few years later I dropped by but she didn't feel like going out, so we just visited at her house. She had just had the house exterminated and was pooped from all the preparations.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank you, Raymond, for sharing about with me about Lola a few weeks ago. I wish so much I could have met her. A rare find, indeed, in the selfish world we live in. She seems like she was a self-less person, caring about so many, & reaching her hand out to help them.
You were all so blessed to have known her!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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I am so sorry to hear about Lola. Thank you Kent for letting us know and I'm sorry that I didn't see this earlier in the week. Raymond you have said such wonderful things about her (as did everyone) and I know how close you were to she and Rick. I miss them both. Does anyone know about her services? She truly was such a wonderful gentle person. (with a bit of sassiness that we all loved!) Thank you Kimberly for the picture of Lola, Sam and I. She will be greatly missed.
Kellie
-------------------- Kellie Miller Customer Service Mgr. Coastal Enterprises Company Mfg. of Precision Board (800) 845-0745 www.precisionboard.com hdu@precisionboard.com Posts: 118 | From: Orange, CA | Registered: Feb 2002
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Sorry to hear about Lola. She was a wonderful person and shared her love with each of us in her own unique way that made us who knew her feel special. I just know her and Rick are walking along that heavenly beach gathering Moonstones once again. Condolences to all. Patrick G. Smith
-------------------- Patrick g. Smith Signsmith Studio 2047 N. Silverwood St. Orange, Calif.92865 714.282.7097 pgsmithdsign@aol.com Posts: 13 | From: 2047 N. silverwood St. Orange,Calif. 92865 | Registered: Mar 2003
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