[I'm not sure that having this thread will even be allowed - but I'll go with the moderators/admins as they see fit on it]. It's Memorial Day weekend here in the USA - the memorials and tributes are widespread. En masse we are saluting our fallen soldiers, our loved ones who have left our circle(s). We are being *honorable* in general ... and I'd say it feels right to do it (and wish we could do it every day as well as we seem to be doing it right now). But I was thinking that, over the years (its been seven for me), we've lost a number of our members here at FunTrivia. Good folks, strong minds, worthy spirits who shared themselves with us in various ways. There are so many *pockets* to this community - I'm sure there are many past members I never had the pleasure to meet or share 'stuff' with. But maybe some of you others have, and would like to take a moment to post their names? Maybe a few thoughts? We are only as good, or as strong, or as hopeful as was the path set for us by those that came before. So I, for one, see much purpose in remembering our FT friends who have passed on.

I can, at this sitting, think of three [quickly].
There's Finlady, who I didn't know personally but am aware touched MANY people here early on.
There's Arlene Rimmer, another I never got to know personally ~ but read her blogs and thoughts often. There was a touch of spirit and soft power in her that won't soon go away, if I may say so.
And then, of course, there's Gunslinger. Somehow, it feels like we're all here on this site significantly because of him and his hard (and heartful) work.

I know there's more. But there are so many of us one can't know everyone. So, maybe, you'd like to mention an FT member that is gone from us that you had the luck to know here, whether a little or a lot. Gone but NOT forgotten. Not ever forgotten.

...edited for typo

What a lovely thought, Gats! I did not know the three you mentioned, although I did see past posts of theirs, nor can I think of anybody that I did know that's no longer here. That is, that I know of in the way you mention. There have been many in the last 5 years that I've been at FT that have been here and then for one reason or another aren't posting anymore. Who's to know why many of them disappear. I would like to think it's because life got in the way and they're busy with something else.

I had the honour, I think, of counting Arlene as a friend. A wonderful lady, full of humour and grace.

Vermic had already left us before I joined this community. However, he put nearly 300 quizzes online, mostly in the Music category. Corrections come up on older quizzes pretty often, as you know. So far, of all the corrections I've seen on his quizzes, not one has been right - his research and attention to detail were superb.

These forums would have closed down years ago without Gunslinger. After a particularly difficult time Terry wanted to shut all the forums down, Gunslinger stepped in an promised Terry that he would give his word that these forums would remain friendly with no flaming if Terry would just give them another chance. The moderators here ensure that Gunslinger's stance on behaviour in the forums is kept going.

It really is like a family, when I look back on family photos every one has a few less people here now the further back you go, and is wonderful to remember in pictures and in some cases on video.

Finlady answered one of my earliest questions and said what an interesting one it was (something which I can't remember happening since), and was a very active member, writing many quizzes and encouraging everyone.

ArleneRimmer got to know me over some work we were doing on quizzes, and started off a policy (she did say to quote her if it was ever questioned) of sending correction notices to edit the questions for every quiz question that says "this is an easy one" and then goes on to ask something like "what is the cube root of 23756". I still have the message she sent to prove it to any doubters. She even went to the trouble of sending me a postcard of her village in Devon.

I will add Lord Haag who I didn't know personally but was in the same position roughly as I was in a global challenge and had some very good scores all over the quizzes.

Thankyou Gatsby, this gives time to think of them. We are often busy and grumpy. This should make us stop a while and remember them, although, of course Gunslinger is never far away.
He was such a special man and I am grateful to have known him.

I didn't know Finlady, (although I might have done a few of her quizzes.) And unfortunately (and I really do mean this) I joined a little while after Gunslinger passed over. In fact I am sure I lurked in the forums, as a guest, because we weren't allowed to make quizzes, and I wanted to see why Gunslinger was so special. I really do wish I had "met" Gunslinger on the forums. By the sounds of it, he helped make Funtrivia what it is.
Again with Arlene, I had had regular communication with her, with my quiz making. And her Blog was one of the most interesting ones on Funtrivia, sometimes thought provoking, sometime funny.
These people and more have made Funtrivia such a special place and I am so glad I am part of it.

I knew all three of these members very well, and Vermic fairly well as an editor.

Finlady wrote to me about her diagnosis shortly before she left us.

Gunslinger was always there for me with jokes and advice, like when I lost my job in Europe. He'd always tell me, 'you have your FT family.' and in fact, he spoke the truth as when I had my health problem last year with about one week to put ducks in a row, I put this site on a mail list with my news.

One of the most faithful friends whom I have a hard time remembering she's gone is Arlene Rimmer. She sent me a needlepoint card during my illness and had her son send me a message after she'd passed away.

I am thankful to have known these folks. I don't think I could ever give as much to others as they did.