Thanks to those who shared happy memories of MediaWest*Cons past!
Pat Vilmur is downsizing and getting rid of her ‘zines & books, free, pick up only, Chicagoland area.
Anyone interested should Direct/Private Message Pat c/o Susan Pfeuffer-Powell on Facebook.
This is Susan’s profile link: https://www.facebook.com/spfeufferpowell?mibextid=ZbWKwL
We are sorry to hear long-time fan and MW*C attendee Laurie Haldeman-Lambe passed away on Christmas Eve 2022.
We are sad to report that fan artist and long-time MW*C attendee Wanda Lybarger passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022.
We are sorry to report that long-time MW*C attendee Jim Hillman died Thursday following a lengthy illness.
Nancy Hillman would welcome anybody who would like to give her a call and if they get her voicemail or answering machine to please clearly state their name and a number including area code that she can call them on. Anybody who would like her number should private message Lori either via text or private Messenger on Facebook or e-mail Lori because we don’t want to put Nancy’s number out publicly. Nancy does not have an online presence on either Facebook or via e-mail at present.
We are sorry to report long-time MediaWest*Con attendee Michele Rosenberg passed away last July.
No further info is known at this time.
(From Carol Lynn)
Margaret Ann Basta
Born October 9, 1951
Died September 4, 2022
Born in Detroit, daughter of Stanley J. and Laura J. Basta. Identical twin sister of Laura Patrice Sandler (Ronald). Beloved aunt of Aron and David. Graduate of Wayne State University, where she was a mainstay of the local SF club, the Wayne Third Foundation. Margaret also did graduate work in Music Therapy at Michigan State University. She was the organist at St. Luke’s Church for many years. So many who loved Star Trek from its very earliest days called her their friend
Margaret was a driving force in the development of Star Trek fandom as a founder of the Star Trek Association for Revival (S.T.A.R), and an editor and publisher of “Babel,” one of the early Star Trek fanzines. For many years she could be found at the “Orphan ‘Zine” tables at MediaWest*Con passing on her love of fanfiction. She was a leader in the 1970s campaign to return Star Trek to television. Star Trek fans owe Margaret a huge debt of thanks for what we now enjoy.
In addition to her abiding passion for Star Trek, she was an avid admirer of antiques including silver, jewelry and ceramics. She turned her passion into a career while working with DuMouchelle’s Art Gallery for almost twenty years. She took a break from her career to care for her parents in their last years. Later, she partnered with her good friend Jan Feldmann and opened Hidden Gems Estates Sales.
She was a voracious reader, part-time author, and traveler. Her network of friends stretched around the world and all who knew her mourn her passing.
More sad news on Margaret — she was completely destitute and in debt when she died. Laura is currently hospitalized and her family is also unable to fully fund the burial. There is not enough money to even cremate Margaret. If she is not to be merely turned over to the state for a pauper’s burial, some money has to be raised. If you can see it in your heart to help, please donate to the Go Fund Me for Margaret’s burial. Any and every amount is welcome. Thank you. https://gofund.me/e898521a
We are sorry to report MW*C staff member Jim Gasahl died unexpectedly last night.
(From Scott Rosema)
I can post more details now. Suzy’s life long friend Brenda lost her husband Jim last night. They had settled down after supper to watch a movie and Jim suddenly erupted into a seizure that quickly became a heart attack. Brenda quickly called 911 and then called Suzy. We both rushed over to their house to find the paramedics already working on Jim. Within about 20 minutes, they sadly came outside to where we waited and said he was gone.
We just stood there. Everyone knew there was nothing to do. No tears, no crying. We just faced it. Brenda, Suzy and I all had the wind taken from us. Today, Saturday, the tears have come and we are busy with contacting everyone about this which we started last night.
The worst will come later. Then life will pick up and we’ll learn to deal with all of the absence we’ll feel. We’ll look after Brenda as she grieves and look forward to feeling the joy of Jim’s life down the road.
[Without going into details, just a few hours ago Suzy and I both lost a friend to a sudden death. We spent most of the evening comforting his wife, another dear friend. We’ll be dealing with this for quite a while……]
We saw the immersive VanGogh exhibit in Detroit!
MediaWest*Con 