Reed Obituary

A few months ago, several of us worked on an obituary for Anna for the Reed Magazine, which goes out to all Reed alum several times a year. I figured there were lots of people at Reed who knew Anna, but not so well that they would have heard about her death, and it looks like that is the case. Thank you to all of you who have already come here to share your memories of Anna - I think I am safe in speaking for Anna's family and close friends that it truly means a lot to hear your memories of her. (If you follow the links in this sentence, you will find comments made in response to the Reed obit). For those of you who didn't go to Reed (imagine that!) and don't get the magazine, here is the obituary:

Anna LoBianco ’92, June 29, in New York City, from breast cancer. Anna LoBianco received her B.A. from Reed in English. For several years following graduation, she lived in Portland, working as a youth counselor, playing guitar in the Reed psycho-rock band Lovebutt, training as a martial artist and self-defense instructor, and mentoring her beloved, crazy mutt, Puppa. She also worked in a Portland public elementary school classroom, assisting children with behavioral problems, before returning to her hometown, New York City. After earning a master’s degree in education from Bank Street College, she took a position as a special-education high school teacher in Harlem. Informally voted “strictest teacher,” LoBianco spent extensive after-school hours, focused on resolving her students’ academic and personal issues, and received, in return, their love and devotion. After becoming a mother, she took a position at Bank Street College of Education and also worked as a trainer for All Kinds ofMinds. Family and friends—including Hannah Demeritt ’92, who provided the details of this in memoriam—assert that while LoBianco’s dedication to others may be somewhat understood in this brief recounting of her life, “her inimitable personality, for which she will undoubtedly be remembered, and for which is already so sorely missed, is difficult to describe: self-assured, bold, bewitching; generous, principled, driven; zestful, passionate, loving love.” LoBianco is survived by her mother and father, two sisters; and her common-law husband, Bolivar “Chiq” Avila, and their two children, Ruby and Dario. [NOTE: Anna LoBianco requested that people share funny stories about her, following her death. If you have a memory or story—no matter how small—please take time to add it to the blog for Anna, www.annalo.blogspot.com. The stories are being collected on behalf of her children.]

There were a couple of pictures included as well, which hopefully Nina and Jody can post.

Dario writes Mommy

yrewsgfauopdz

vhijhgjlkujkkjvdludfgsdcxhhjdhcd hg fvhvgjujlimtythfhrrf6uiiehg

"Look that's so long"-Dario May 15th

It's Alright to Cry

"It's Alright to Cry" was a song Anna and I both liked to sing. I'm always trying to get Ruby to sing it with me because she has such a stiff upper lip. I found the video on youtube. It was made in the 70's with the original singer, Rosie Grier (an All-Pro defensive tackle and part of the "Fearsome Foursome," one of the best defensive lines in football history). He also was into needlepoint. Fun to watch while you enjoy a tastee delight.

Alicia

Sandy River Secret Spot

Here's an annotated Google map of the Secret Spot on the Sandy River and the spot just down the river where Chiq scattered Anna's and Puppa's ashes.

You can zoom in and out and drag the map to see the river flow into the Columbia (to the left, West of the Secret Spot) and the Columbia into the Pacific.

Secret Spot

Here's a view that shows the Secret Spot, Mount Hood to the East, and the Columbia heading to the Pacific.

Wide view

Strawberries and Cream

This weekend I was enjoying some strawberry shortcake w/whipped cream w/my kids and thinking about how much Anna loved this tasty delight (a term she often used to describe food she liked). I think she had it every year for her b-day, courtesy of Dora, is that correct? Anyway, just made me think of her and then I remembered it again today when I was driving in to work. She really loved blueberries too. When she was really sick w/some weird tropical virus while she was pg w/Ruby, she was in the hospital and I asked her what she wanted me to bring her and she said, w/no hesitation: "blueberries!" They weren't in season, so I had to search, but I found a little pint of blueberries in a weird, fancy fruit specialty shop on Ocean Parkway, amidst all of the Kosher shops there, and took them to her and sat w/her as she ate them up. I miss fruit season with Anna.

Lucky House Steps

Lots of pictures and stories to come, but for now, here we are on the Lucky House steps after going to the Sandy River.
From bottom to top and from left to right:
Ruby, Nina, Twylo, Fred, Misty, Alicia, Pascale, Tom, Jody, Dario, Chiq, Denk, Cynthia, Libby, Krack (John) and Louisa.

At the farm with Cynthia.

Scouting the rivers

I went out to the Salmon River last week. Anna Noah and I decided once to go on a camping trip out there & then it happened to be the opening night of The Blair Witch Project and I didn't know anything about it but Anna got us there early to get in line and we made it into cinema 21. Probably the most terrifying movie I've ever seen. And then, off from there to the oregon woods.
A real sleepless one of shrieking at every breaking twig, every night bird. So scary and I know Anna got a real thrill from it. And good old puppa.

The next day we swam in what I still declare to be the coldest water in the world.

This time I did not go swimming. It was raining and foggy. Just thinking of her and missing her.
Itwould be good for us all to go out there together except for the road has been blocked off and there is about a half mile of trail which at one point is crossed by big fallen trees and a new creek.
This is my report. Anywhere else I should be scouting.. i'll try to get out to the sandy..

love love indeed
Denk