I’m so sad to hear of Helen’s passing. She was so wonderful to work with, and I was grateful for her contribution last year to my Substack. I also loved her book on wonder. She will be deeply missed.
You make some strange friends when you are given a terminal diagnosis. Helen became my friend a couple of years ago when they responded to something I wrote on Twitter, and we have talked many times since. We even talked about the philosophy of dying from cancer. Helen had something of a recovery last summer, and it was very disappointing when they relapsed. I mourn our loss with real tears.
I have lost several such friends in the last couple of weeks, all of whom helped me through difficult times. My very best tumour buddy lifted me out of the pit of despair at the beginning, and now her bleak future pulls me back in.
I am filled with sadness for our loss, and for Helen's journey into the night. Tonight, I will speak with the stars and say goodbye.
I’m so sad to hear of Helen’s passing. She was so wonderful to work with, and I was grateful for her contribution last year to my Substack. I also loved her book on wonder. She will be deeply missed.
Apologies. *they. I forgot for a moment that Helen used they/them pronouns.
Oh this is tough news. So sorry to hear this.
Luthier and Lutenist aren't the same thing Philip. the 'friend' is Anton Birula. he's playing. Jacek Łozak made the lute.
Ah, thank you for correcting me!
it just caught my eye because that type of music is very close to my heart :)
I interacted with Helen only very, very rarely, but this is what we shared.
And yes.... It's very sad that we will have to miss such a kind and tentative thinker in the discourse....
by the way... not just a few 'early mpdern' scientists were skilled lute players!
(Galileo! and Huygens)
You make some strange friends when you are given a terminal diagnosis. Helen became my friend a couple of years ago when they responded to something I wrote on Twitter, and we have talked many times since. We even talked about the philosophy of dying from cancer. Helen had something of a recovery last summer, and it was very disappointing when they relapsed. I mourn our loss with real tears.
I have lost several such friends in the last couple of weeks, all of whom helped me through difficult times. My very best tumour buddy lifted me out of the pit of despair at the beginning, and now her bleak future pulls me back in.
I am filled with sadness for our loss, and for Helen's journey into the night. Tonight, I will speak with the stars and say goodbye.
Very sad to here. They were a very kind and intelligent person.
I had interacted with them only briefly on line, and I found them to be very nice about answering questions that I had. Prayers for their family.