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Fallen leaves
Genealogy, by it's very nature, is the story of those who have left us. Sometimes that includes fellow researchers we have come to know and care about.
Willard Moffett died on July 4th 2008 at 103 years of age. Photos of Willard tending his garden at Kelso, Washington adorned this website on several occasions, as did birthday pictures in which he always looked amazingly dapper. Willard, with the assistance of his daughter, Mary Roundy, graciously shared Moffett research he had compiled over the years. And Willard took the time to do what most of us just talk about doing - he recorded the memories and experiences of his long life, and in doing so left a gift for all of us.
Betty Mealy was a very special friend to many Washington County researchers. Betty and I "met" online in 1998 and corresponded without interruption until late last year when her health failed her. Betty died on March, 22, 2008. She was a wonderful lady and a generous and careful researcher. I was fortunate enough to have met her in person some years ago and will always be thankful for her encouragement, and her warm and understanding ways.
Gladys Keys contributed information on the Wedding family to RamblingRoots through her daughter Martha. She also shared research compiled by her husband, George Keys, Jr. who died in 2002. Gladys, a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, died on Feb.13, 2008.
Roberta Yates was one of the first people I corresponded with when I "discovered" genealogy. For many years we corresponded on a regular basis about our shared Moffett ancestors. Roberta died in a car accident near her home in Estacada, Oregon on August 15, 2007.
Ralph Moffett was born on May 7, 1912 and died on April 27, 2006. He was my Dad. Dad and I shared many an hour talking about his childhood - what it was like to take a ferry from Oakland to San Francisco before there were bridges - how he used to watch the old Oakland Oaks play baseball through a hole in the outfield fence - what the depression was like for his family - about World War II. And we talked for hours about "Mr DeWitt" - Dad's mysterious grandfather who disappeared from the family long before dad was born - reappeared once when Dad was a young boy and then disappeared forever. We combed every record imagineable but Mr. DeWitt remained a mystery - someday I still hope to find him. UPDATE: Dec. 2009. I finally unravelled the mystery. It turns out old James DeWitt was a real scoundral - I think I'm glad Dad didn't know more about him after all.
Jack Niemann passed away on Nov. 25, 2009 following a long battle with cancer. He was 72. Jack was an ardent supporter of the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia. He and his wife Rubinette abstracted and published county records, supported the society's many endeavors, and contributed countless hours of volunteer time. When I visited Washington County some years ago I met Jack at the historical society library. Realizing I only had a few hours, he enthusiastically copied papers for me on his own time - just to help a fellow researcher. Jack will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.