We are sorry to report that long-time MW*C attendee Vicki Bone passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
In Memoriam
We are sorry to report that fan writer and artist and former MediaWest*Con attendee Carole Swoboda (aka TACS) died August 26, 2020 after lengthy declining health. Deepest sympathies to her wife, Laura Peck.
We were sorry to hear Tom Barber, age 70, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, died April 4, 2020, of COVID-19 and heart failure at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital.
Tom was an avid reader and preferred science fiction and fantasy works. While at Eastern Michigan University he was a member of their science fiction club, Waldo and Magic, and one of the founders of the science fiction convention ConClave, Inc.. He was also actively involved with the University of Michigan’s science fiction club, the Stilyagi Air Corps, and their convention, ConFusion. Tom participated in various science fiction conventions all over the country, volunteering, running departments, and selling t-shirts. He was also a member of the organization the Dorsai Irregulars, who provide staffing services to many different conventions. The Dorsai became an extended family to Tom, and he treasured them. He served as their Quartermaster for many years.
We are also sorry to report long-time MW*C attendee and fan writer Anne Elizabeth Zeek died April 9, 2020 at Maimonides Hospital, Brooklyn, of complications from COVID-19.
Please stay at home if you can, and practice social distancing if you must go out until the pandemic is over. We can’t afford to lose any more fen.
We are very sad to report Barb Gompf died Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in the Bennington Glenn Nursing Center. Barb was a long-time MW*C attendee and Staff member. She will be missed.
For those who would like to make a memorial contribution in Barbara’s memory are asked to consider Friends of Cardington, P.O. Box 152, Cardington, OH 43315 or your local Humane Society.
To send a memory of Barbara or to send a condolence to the Gompf Family please visit gompffh.com.
We are sorry to report Richard Landstaff (who used to work at the hotel restaurant) recently died. Richards’ son Cole said they are planning a celebration of life service on Friday where Richard worked at Kristina Rae’s at MSP headquarters, 7150 Harris Drive, Dimondale MI.
We are sad to report the passing of René Auberjonois, the veteran stage, television and film actor who counted among his hundreds of credits the role of Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also directed eight episodes of DS9. Auberjonois, who was 79, died on December 8, 2019, succumbing to metastatic lung cancer.
https://www.startrek.com/news/rene-auberjonois-1940-2019
We were also sorry to hear Caroll Spinney, the actor and puppeteer who portrayed Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street for over five decades, died December 8, 2019 at age 85.
We are sad to report the passing of Dorothy Catherine “D.C.” Fontana, the legendary writer of many of Star Trek’s best episodes. Fontana passed away at age 80 on December 2, 2019 following a short illness.
Fontana is credited with many episodes focusing on Vulcan culture and helped blaze a trail for female writers in SF television. She is the mind behind TOS episode “Journey to Babel,” which introduced Spock’s parents and The Animated Series episodes like “Yesteryear” which expanded on Spock’s youth and Vulcan culture. She co-wrote the Hugo Award nominated ST:TNG episode “Encounter at Farpoint” with Gene Rodenberry, and she continued to write for TNG and DS9.
https://www.startrek.com/news/dc-fontana-1939-2019
Rolaine Smoot died in her sleep on 12/21/2018. Rolaine had been diagnosed a couple of years ago with Alzheimers and between that and severe arthritis she had quit coming to the con. She was also involved in Florida Fandom, starting with Star Trek cons back in the day. Rolaine’s daughter suggested donating in her name to the American Indian College Fund. https://collegefund.org/
From Alesia Tom:
Thank you so much to Melanie Smith and the Lansing Bahá’ís for helping to arrange Pat Grant’s memorial Service and burial.
On Sunday (June 10) at 3 pm there will be a memorial service at the Willows (3500 Coolidge Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823). Please come and bring some good memories and stories.
On Monday (June 11), there will be a very simple burial at Evergreen Cemetery (off Mt. Hope Rd just past Fenner Arboretum) at 11 am. Arrangements are with Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home.
I know this is short notice, but I hope some of you can make it there. Thank you.
