I just found out about the tragic death of a friend; she was that psychologist that was hacked to death with a meat cleaver in NYC last night by a private patient. It's devastating news,
When I started going to the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum gatherings in early August in Nazareth, PA for the past several years, I always looked forward to seeing Kathryn; for the first couple of years, the attendees were mostly guys, and we few ladies stuck together and had a great time, with and without the guys. I think the first time I went, there were 150 guys, and four ladies, Kathryn being one of them. There's been more female guitar weenies showing up in the last couple of years, and it's been fun!
She had replaced her 0021C Martin with a 00028H Martin just before the last gathering in August 07, and she had a great time picking the brains of some of the guys who were really good at fingerstyle, and had proudly learned and played "Creole Belle" in one of the jams. She leaves a husband, Walter, who accompanied her to the gatherings, and a lot of devastated, saddened friends. I think she was everyone's favorite attendee, and what happened to her is just too horrible to think about.
There's a thread and photos at UMGF.com.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080213/ap_ ... t_attack_2

I'm so sorry for Kathryn and her family and you and her other friends. It's just so beyond comprehension that anything I could say seems lame.

Oh wow, that is so sad. I had seen that on our news but had no idea she was anyone you knew. Our condolences to you & her family. So sad...

It's unbelievable. I am very sorry for her family and friends.

Oh, wow! I hadn't heard about this! How horrible! My thoughts are with her family and friends.

I'm sending vibes to her husband Walter and her family...she has six siblings.
All the photos that are popping up in the papers are from UMGF gatherings.

Sue, this lady has been on my mind all day. I have a lot of friends that are psychiatrists (because of where I used to work) and it made me shiver to think of that happening. Now it hits home even harder. Im so sorry for the loss of your friend especially in such a horrific manner.

Horrific. So sad when that happens to someone who is just trying to help people.

Thanks to all. It's pretty devastating, and difficult to deal with. The effect on the UMGF crowd is the same as if it had been someone in the Blunder crowd...there's this same sense of family and kinship...you may not see people for months, but you take up just where you left off the last time you saw them, just like we do when we're getting together at the Church. We all kept up with each other's lives through the website, just like here. Needless to say, no one should ever have to die in such a heartless and brutal manner.

Sue. sadness here, for you and the friends of the woman who was murdered and her family.

It is incomprehensible what is happening. The very fabric of our society seems to be tearing apart. That one of the chosen ones, a healer, should be murdered is beyond words terrible.

I pray for peace of mind for her family and friends, including, of course, you.

It's a sad world.

How AWFUL! I have a posting of my own of devistation. Valentines Day should be about loving your fellow man - not destruction. I am so sorry.

It can't bring solace or closure, but still it must be a little better to know that they have identified and arrested the sick person who did this.

Knowing about the awful losses Sue and Fearless and their friends and relatives have suffered this week, I've found myself wanting to cling a little closer to the ones I love, which includes this nutso bunch of Blunderites.

Thanks, Ceashel..all I want to say is that I love you all. Each and every one of you. You are all unique and special in your own way, and make this world a little better for your being in it.

The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum members are reeling with disbelief and grief...Kathryn was a much loved person, and I don't think there was anyone who didn't love and appreciate her. The mods over there cut off new memberships and free access over there temporarily because the news services and reporters were trolling for photos, and there were some posted there, and it was decided that restricting access to the boards to protect the privacy of the family until after the funeral would be a good thing. The UMGF is much like Arlonet; we do get together in person, and have our big gathering in the Nazareth/Bethlehem area in August for four or five days of non-stop guitar admiring, singing and playing until our fingers are blistered, and just generally having a great time!

I wasn't able to drop everything and go to her funeral because of responsibilities here. I'm thankful that our UMGF friend Bill in PA was found to be blameless; he did go to her funeral, and was not bothered by the press.
I'm glad they caught the mentally ill person who wielded the meat cleaver; it's a relief to know he's in custody and can't harm another person.
I'm hoping next week will be a little better than this one. Big hugs to you all.

On our news they interviewed some guy from your Martin guitar group who was a friend of hers. He had nothing to do with her death, he was one of the last to have talked to her I think. So sad...