Thanks Mary — Doc let me know a little while ago because I had just emailed him this morning that I was going to be staying with Gail and Russ in two weeks.  I was so looking forward to spending time with the two of them.  I’m in complete shock and just feel so sad for Gail and their son.  Gail, if you are reading these replies to Mary’s note, know that me and the whole family are sending all our love and that we’ll be in touch soon.  Just weeping with all of you for now --

c

On Jul 1, 2016, at 8:52 PM, Mary Collins <mmcollins50@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Friends,

  

    Our Titania from last summer's reunion has lost her real-life Oberon. Gail McDonald's husband, Russ McDonald, passed away today in London, after suffering a stroke earlier this week. Russ is a renowned Shakespearean and Renaissance scholar and teacher; for the last several years he was Professor of English Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London.  

Doc and I (Mary Collins) have spoken to Gail this week. She will be greatly buoyed by hearing from her Winedale friends via email. 

During the week, she said many lovely things about Russ. She mentioned his being joyful, generous, vivid,  smart.  She feels a little bit of peace thinking about how many people  benefited from his being alive, how many his life touched: students, readers, colleagues. She talked about his helping people see the world through his eyes, as a teacher and writer. She loves the way he saw the world, his optimism and joy, his love of beauty. He had an artist's attention to detail when reading poetry and explaining it. 

He was a wonderful, wonderful man. 

Love,

Mary

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