In the spring of 2008, my friend Don Buchanan committed suicide.  I wrote a heartfelt post about it.  True to my prediction, so did others.  Death often brings clarity: and in the wake of Don’s death, it became evident that he’d affected almost everyone he met.  Everyone had a story about a cool record, a fun live show, or a hilarious joke that he’d shared.  I wonder if he’d be here today if only he knew how irreplaceable he was.

I heard from several of Don’s friends and relatives, all of whom appreciated the spirit in which I wrote it.  (I didn’t gloss over Don’s dark side, and at the time, I worried that it would offend those closest to him.)  Among the people who wrote me: Lisa Tombyll, Don’s wife and mother of his stepdaughter.  Lisa and I went to school together but didn’t really know each other.  She was devastated, as you’d expect, but seemed to appreciate the outpouring of love and goodwill that followed.  I was happy I could provide some small comfort.

Now I have just learned that Lisa is gone, too.

Details are sketchy: apparently she woke up not feeling well this morning, went to the hospital and passed away there.  All I really know is what I read on Facebook tonight.  If there’s an obit or funeral news, I’ll share it here.

I don’t really know what else to say.  I didn’t know Lisa that well.  But I do know that her family and friends have experienced two heartbreaking losses in 18 months – not least of whom their daughter, who has lost both of her parents.  My heart is with them all.