October 28, 2010

YOU...logy. @AnnaMaryse

@AnnaMaryse has passed away. I'm real sad. So I'm thinking a lot about her. And I'm remembering....

When I met Maryse, the first thing I noticed was her mouth. When it was at rest, it was pursed.


And when she smiled, it was tickle-me wicked. Flared nostrils added to the effect.


Her eyes were very dark and soft. She was voluptuous, like a new-romantic Mae West.


It was the early eighties. Maryse was the Queen of the scene. She was cool and wore tons of make-up and big earrings. She moved into my building, and that's how we met. She was a little older and wiser than me.


She used to say things like "Coffee. Hurry. Emergency." or "Cigarette. Hurry. Emergency." She'd laugh so hard it would make her wheeze and turn into a coughing fit. I adored her.


She would pose for pictures by deliberately not looking at the camera and she'd pout. It was one of her favourite things. One day I stopped by at her place on the way home from Art school, and there was a guy hanging out there. The guy turned out to be an animator! It totally changed the direction of my life. You get what I'm saying here?

Maryse and I became very close over a ten year period. She was my Queen Bee.


We lost touch when I got married. These things happen I guess. I didn't hear of her for almost two decades. I missed her from time to time, but I had small children and there was no Facebook back then.


And then just this spring, we found each other again. We were both pretty happy. She mentioned she was taking it easy, that she'd had something "really f*cking scary" happen to her. But she didn't want to make a big deal about it so I didn't press it. I assumed it was going to be ok.

I didn't know she was dying. That she was being brave.


We did some catching up. She'd had a great career as  a producer. Her son was all grown up and she was so proud of him. Maryse was planning a trip to Montreal and said she was  "THRILLED to know I'll be seeing you if/when this happens. I can't wait to inspect your brood :)"


She wrote some really nice things to me. She said she was proud of me and always knew I'd prevail. I'm so glad I have these FB messages. For a moment yesterday, I was in a panic because I thought I'd lost them. But it was just a little FB fail.


Late on the night of the 26th, I heard from a mutual friend that she'd gone. And here I am drawing this tribute. I think she'd have liked it. I can still hear her laugh-wheeze-coff.

Good-bye my Queen Bee! I'll never forget you.
Maryse liked cats.

This is the second in a series called "YOU".  I draw YOU. Read the rules.

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39 comments:

  1. Beautiful. Well done JC. So very sorry for your loss my dear. But she obviously will always be with you.

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  2. Awww. Sorry about your friend.

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  3. Very touching heartfelt eulogy.

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  4. Your drawings of her floating off are beautiful. I'm so sorry you lost your friend, you were meant to reconnect before she moved on and I'm so glad you did.

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  5. well done
    beautiful gracious amazing
    thank you so much for sharing
    ur in my prayers as is the Queen
    hugs and love
    ang & aaron

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  6. :( that gave me chills. so sorry for your loss.

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  7. so sad. she sounds like a wonderful friend! my condolences.

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  8. That was so sad and yet so beautiful. I am truly sorry you have lost a friend. I can't imagine the pain. But I do know for a fact that she would have loved this. ((hugs))

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  9. Thank you for your funny & beautiful tribute to Maryse. I'm so sorry for your loss, but glad you had her in your life.

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  10. What a beautiful tribute. She was magic

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  11. Just loved your illustration and your heart felt thoughts as well. Annie did some guest posting on my blog too. Never got to meet her but did speak with her about our many mutual friends. She never mentioned her health to me at all. So happy that I did meet her and include her in my gang of celebrity guest writers. RIP my dear Anna Maryse and thank you JC for the gorgeous post...
    Retro Kimmer

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  12. Beautiful tribute.....hugs and prayers....so glad at least you had these fb moments with her before she flew away into peace.

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  13. Thank you JC, everything you wrote brought chills of recognition, you could not have described her more poignantly.....

    I was there again...watching her, so much larger than life she was, truly a Queen, pure and powerful....

    Thank you and so much love pouring into the holes that we need to fill,
    always

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  14. husbandperson says: beautiful, touching tribute. she would definitely have loved it, and you capture her essence magnificently. thank you for your time and talent. for whatever it's worth, this brought a smile to my heart along with the tear to me eye. :)

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  15. Very touching! Beautiful tribute! Sorry about your friend.

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  16. This is beautiful and SO Anna! I never met her in person, but I loved her just the same.

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  17. a lovely tribute to a friend JC - doing what you do best - loving, caring, drawing, making us all smile and think at the same time. We must take every day as a gift and try to live so there are as few regrets as possible. love you lots!

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  18. How lovely a tribute. Was this the sad day on Twitter? Peace, Lisa

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  19. I don't think I've said Awwwww, so many times in the same sentence! Thank for sharing that, and as a cat lover and "servant" to two kittehs, I'm even more touched. Your friend is blessed to have had you in her life :)

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  20. So sorry for your loss, but you have some GREAT memories there. Cherish them.

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  21. Thanks for sharing. I feel I know Maryse a bit now. Beautiful tribute.

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  22. I read this yesterday but didn't have time to comment. It's so so strange how someone's internet presence carries them on as if they are still here. I am so sorry for your loss and I'm glad you remembered your friend in such a lighthearted and memorable tribute :)

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  23. what a lovely tribute to your friend...so glad you both reconnected and so sorry for your loss :(

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  24. Lovely tribute to your special friend, hon. Cancer sucks:P

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  25. What a great tribute to your friend. My sympathy to you and her family.

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  26. Here's to amazing friends and good times. Sorely missed they can be, but never forgotten. Irreplaceable they are but they never leave your side.

    One great friend for another ... what a great tribute!

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  27. I didn't know her. But this is a very loving tribute.

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  28. So sorry for your loss *hug* what a beautiful and meaningful tribute you have created here xo

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  29. I am so moved by your beautiful tribute to your incredible friend. How special that you reconnected; how painful that she is gone. May she live on forever in your heart.

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  30. I'm so grateful for your comments. It feels good to know that I've shared a little bit of Maryse with you.

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  31. Great job JC. With only a few drawing and words I did feel as though I got to know a little about your friend.
    So sorry.

    Tania

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  32. I am so sorry for your loss. Your tribute is so beautiful.

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  33. Every time I read this I smile. I'm sad she is gone but you've done a good job remembering her :)

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  34. So sorry for your loss...she sounds lovely.

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  35. What a loving and touching tribute. I hate it when people are "BRAVE", but you are doing well loving her and respecting her choices. Bravo, my dear. My heart goes out to you for your loss.

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  36. What a wonderful tribute, loved the drawings *sigh*

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Cuz You Rocketh.