R.I.P.

As we wrap up our Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy year, we remember 3 of our longtime friends that we lost in 2013.  (Pictured above are, from left to right, Harold Monroe, Laura Ward, Sharon Rich and Betty Monroe.)

Christine Souter was a Mac/Eddy Club member from the earliest years…a devout Nelson fan who accepted the Nelson-Jeanette romance but questioned Nelson’s activities in the later years wondering, as we all have, how it fit into the big picture. Obviously, we will never understand it all – but our driving force to try and learn everything possible has been helped tremendously with friends like Christine. Over the years, she shared much data with me, answered any questions she could, was caring and appreciative. Here’s a quote from one of her emails to me that I saved:

Sharon, I was so happy to see the journals in the mailbox today. They are gorgeous and all 3 at once are a bit overwhelming–but I love the feeling:) It’s been worth the wait. I realize it’s been tragic and stressful for you. Hopefully, with the good news about Jake, you’re due for some happy days and down time–I’ll bet you wish:)
Anyway, just wanted you to know how pleased I am with so many beautiful photos to sigh over and articles to read.
Thanks for all you do to keep us eager and interested. Take care, Christine Souter

Here’s a tribute written by Bern Schwartz, who runs our Yahoo Group:

i first met Christine Souter on a Jeanette and Nelson group in 2003- she was articulate and informative and had a delicious sense of humor- in 2004 at the request of sharon i started a yahoo maceddy group and she was one of the first members to join. she had been a nelson fan for many years before that and never shrank from sharing her great information with all who would ask.. whenever a new member would arrive and of course ask questions- she would be the first to answer -with a great knowledge of nelson and Jeanette-we did not always agree on conversations but were always friends..she made you think…i found her funny and full of spark that belied her years-and always straightforward…she was originally from Alabama as a child and then lived in millbrae ca. for most of her life. she had 2 children and two beautiful granddaughters and her cats and the squirrel too! after searching the archives of the yahoo group i was amazed at how often she had responded with detailed information of events.she will be missed by everyone but as a dear friend of hers has stated: “god now has  an angel with attitude.” she loved nelson and gene autry and especially classic Hollywood and Steve Cochran- her interests were so varied but to me she was a friend and was also very kind …we all on the group who knew her these many years will miss her very much..b

Betty Monroe and her husband Harold were for many years a stable presence at our Los Angeles meetings. They had been members, like Christine Souter, from the very first. Harold has always been a jokester while Betty was a sweet, motherly woman who, like a gracious hostess, greeted everyone at the meetings with a smile and a hug. Then out of the blue, they didn’t show up for a club event. When I called afterwards to find out what had happened, Harold informed me that Alzheimers had very unexpectedly and swiftly robbed Betty of her memories.

Sometime later, I went to their home and visited…though she didn’t know me and didn’t speak, Betty was still her sweet, gentle self, smiling at me, surrounded with her Jeanette and Nelson treasures. I have since visited Harold since Betty’s passing and though he’s been through a very rough time, he welcomed me with some quips and jokes.

Marjorie Hadlock was the woman who set up the famous Lake Tahoe tour that is discussed in Journal #60. She also can be seen addressing the group on our Lake Tahoe YouTube video. This was an amazing feat to pull off – not only all the research necessary to find all the locations used in Rose Marie, but to arrange for special tours and knowledgeable guides and locals from the time (including the then-teen whose pet deer was used to frighten Jeanette in one scene). Marjorie also was amazingly able to include fans from all groups and managed (for the most part) to keep the peace even when discussing the then-local hangout where Jeanette and Nelson went dancing together.

To the families of the 3 people mentioned above – we send our condolences and best wishes for the coming year. From personal experience I can say that it’s very tough to move on…but the love and understanding of friends helps tremendously…our Jeanette and Nelson group has brought tremendous comfort in times of need…has created friendships among people who might never have known each other…thank goodness we have each other!

Those of you who would like to add your own tributes, please write a “comment” to this post.

Above, Margaret and Richard Henrizi

This week we received a large package with the Nelson Eddy collection of a fan who recently passed away. I have been corresponding with her stepson Rick, who included with the package the photo above and the following letter:

Hi Sharon, I just wanted to add a personal touch and add this letter to your package to let you know how fortunate I feel that I found someone like you that can enjoy the enclosed items as much as my Step-Mom Margaret seemed to enjoy them. She was a special kind of Lady and I know that she is looking down from Heaven smiling at the thought of someone like you getting all this to share with others.

Thank you, Rick, for thinking of us and yes, we will be sharing the photos, magazines and other items from the collection in our own upcoming magazines, so that others can enjoy them.  And on behalf of our group, let me extend our condolences and best wishes to you, your father and your family.

Geradine Janezic, pictured above, was a longtime club member and fan. She passed away some time ago and her daughter Joy contacted me earlier this year, asking if we would like her scrapbook. She sent it along with this letter:

I remember meeting Gerry at a few club meetings, mostly in Ohio and the midwest area, and we stayed in touch with letters and an occasional phone call. She was a bubbly, enthusiastic person, always excited at hearing the latest Nelson and Jeanette news. I recall one particular meeting that Dorothy Dillard attended as a guest, after the initial publication of my book Sweethearts. Dorothy, my source of the Isabel Eddy letters, was from Detroit but attended several east coast meetings around that time. Back in their heyday, Dorothy of course attended many of Nelson’s and Jeanette’s concerts, club gatherings (as they followed the singers around on tour) and film screenings. Imagine their surprise when Dorothy recognized Gerry and vice versa, though it had been many years since they’d last seen each other! I was so happy to see that for them, the story had come full circle and they were able to openly discuss what had been forbidden to speak about in the  fan clubs of their youth.

Joy sent us her mom’s scrapbook and I’m happy to say that there are some interesting photos and clippings in it that I have not previously seen. We will be photographing them and using them in upcoming magazines, so all will share in enjoying them.

I asked Joy to do a writeup about her mom and to email me a photo, which she kindly did. (See above.) Below is her email to me:

Hi Sharon,

Wrote a little about my mom, Geraldine Janezic.

Gerry was 12 years old when she heard Nelson Eddy on the radio for the first time. In her own words, she said “I fell madly in love with his voice!”

Staying to watch Naughty Marietta four times in a row at the theater, she became fascinated with their movies. As years went by, nothing made her happier than finding the movies scheduled on TCM. She would often write to different TV stations requesting that their movies be shown.

Even though she owned many on DVD, She’d still get up at the crack of dawn to watch on TV. She’d always say “I like knowing other people are watching the same time as me!”

Her love of the singing sweethearts continued throughout her life. When she received her first Mac/Eddy Today magazine, It was her dream come true. She was forever grateful for this wonderful tribute to them and truly treasured every issue.

As her daughter, I want to thank the club for making my mom’s world a happier place.

Sincerely,
Joy Rico

Thank you, Joy, for your thoughtfulness, and for sharing with our group. Our condolences and best wishes to you and your family.