Anne and Gerry in Hawaii (Gerry is on the right, wearing the hat)

Subject: [veniceplace] OT: Gerry Downes has left the building and now resides somewhere better.
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 15:59:07 -0900
From: Toshua
Dear listfriends,
Gerry Downes passed away this morning at Providence Hospital. I read her all the emails she had received from various fan friends around the country and I think she heard me. Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts and kindnesses we have received. I'll update the list when I have more information as far as a memorial is concerned. Due to the holiday, nothing will be planned until Friday.
Thank you so much for the kindness shown to her and her family during her illness. She will be greatly missed.
Toshua

Subject: Re: Gerry
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 14:46:40 -0900
From: Toshua
Gerry loved S/H passionately, but she never wrote it. She always said there were others out there who could do the guys justice better than she could. She even liked my stuff! She read every zine that came along, every story in the archive and anything in between.
I've attached a photo of her. It was the last photo taken while we were in Hawaii 3 weeks before her death. She's the one in the hat and sunglasses. Her last wish of me was to take her to Hawaii, which I did. At the time, she was holding her own and we were discussing a trip to the Grand Canyon in January. Unfortunately, fate is a fickle mistress and she was taken away from me much to early. I miss her terribly.
Kind words: hmmmm. Gerry was known as the 'Grandmother of Slash' and is still revered for her Star Trek work that started the whole K/S world. She was proud of that, even though it embarrassed her a little. Her two sons grew up knowing what their mother wrote and as a result they are two of the most open minded people you ever what to meet. The oldest is a Chief in the Navy and the youngest is teaching fencing in Australia. She left behind a husband, 2 sons and 3 grandchildren and a huge number of friends. She will be missed greatly and remembered with much love.
Gerry was 56. Lung cancer took her away from us much to early.
Toshua

Subject: [veniceplace] OT: Gerry Downes
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 19:26:06 -0900
From: Toshua
Dear friends,
One last piece of info for Gerry's long term friends. A memorial will be held at the Alaska Cremation Center, 3804 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK. The date is Tuesday, November 28 at 3pm. There will be a wake/potluck/party afterwards at a friend's home afterwards. If anyone is inclined to send cards, flowers or well wishes to her family, you can send them to the chapel at the above address.
She loved getting the emails she received before she died. And the banner from Friscon. Knowing that she hadn't been forgotten, even after all these years, meant a lot to her. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts.
Toshua