I just made a donation to Claire's website in honor of Lou Cassella. Admittedly, it's not a sizable amount, but it's big for me on a fixed income. 

I have first hand knowledge of what it means to be a caregiver. For 15+ years I was an in-home caregiver for my parents. Fortunately, not for both at the same time. After my father died of Alzeiheimers, a year later my mother needed caregiving after suffering a stroke that triggered vascular dementia. Let me just say: that type of long term caregiving is not for sissies. 

I close with a quote that I think is worth sharing, especially considering the quick, 1-2-3 punches to the gut we've all recently endured, beginning with the sudden loss of Bob Jones, the tornado destruction of the theater for the Mickee Faust Club, and now the unexpected loss of Lou. 

The quote from Tom Stoppard simply says: "Look at every exit as being an entrance somewhere else." 

Love,
David Sharpe

On Mon, May 13, 2024 at 2:58 PM Clayton Stromberger <cstromberger@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:

I’ve been too stunned to find the words today – but you have all said it so beautifully.  I had heard so much about Lou, the mysterious yoga teacher who had swept Claire off her feet and blazed all sorts of new trails with her in New Zealand, before meeting him at the 2015 reunion, and he was just the sweetest and most grounded guy, so humble and generous and appreciative of everything and everyone around him.  It was radiantly clear that week, as Tarissa and others have said, that the two of them shared something truly special together – something deeper than just their far-flung adventures as travelers and their business ventures as leaders in the yoga field.  Some kind of inner light, and toughness and courage too.  Like Bruce, I just can’t conceive of this news as reality.  We love you Claire -- and David you’re as great and true a friend as there ever was.  Thanks for breaking this to us, Madge, I know that wasn’t easy.

 

cs

 

From: 'Alice Gordon' via Shakespeare at Winedale Email List <shakespeare-at-winedale-email-list@googlegroups.com>
Date: Monday, May 13, 2024 at 2:14 PM
To: shakespeare-at-winedale-email-list@googlegroups.com <shakespeare-at-winedale-email-list@googlegroups.com>
Cc: Madge Darlington <mmdarlington@gmail.com>, Shakespeare at Winedale 1970-2000 alums <winedale-l@lists.wikimedia.org>, Willy Shakes <winedale50th@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Winedale-l] Lou Cassella

Oh, Madge, this is exactly what Terry wrote. Horrible and terrible. Lou was a lovely, calming, devoted human being and a perfect companion to Claire. If you or anyone hears of any way to help Claire from afar, I know we all would hope to be there for her.

 

Please tell David thank you for his wrenchingly loving report. 

 

Love,

Alice

 



On May 13, 2024, at 12:33 PM, 'TERRY GALLOWAY' via Shakespeare at Winedale Email List <shakespeare-at-winedale-email-list@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 

This is shocking g , terrible news! Lou was the sweetest man alive.

 Madge, please tell Claire we love her and grieve his death with her.

Love

Terry 

Sent from my iPhone



On May 13, 2024, at 12:15 PM, Madge Darlington <mmdarlington@gmail.com> wrote:



Hi friends,

 

Sad news this morning. Lou Cassella, Claire Szabo-Cassella's husband and one of her main caregivers, died last night. David Ziegler is with Claire. He told me he would give more detail on this list later, but I could let people know. 

 

Lou came to the 45th Reunion with Claire so she could participate. He was a loving, gentle presence with us that week. 

 

If you do not already follow Claire's Red Scooter Diaries, please have a look. You can read Lou's contributions under Confessions of a Caregiver. The website also offers ways to support Claire. 

 

Claire, we are all sending you so much love. David, thank you for being there for both Claire and Lou. 

 

Much love to all,

Madge

--

Madge Darlington, M.F.A.

(512) 627-6038

 

Assistant Professor of Instruction

The University of Texas at Austin

 

Interim Director

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