Selected comments came in private emails which is why they appear here without names, but, in truth, they are from a cross section of people who have worked with, been published by, or otherwise knew Lydia – writers, activists… – and many are known to you all. Most recent at the top…

 

It’s been hard for me to find words to express how deeply saddened I am about the passing of Lydia. The value of half a century of partnership, deep respect, and love can not be underestimated. Those that knew you both, recognized it.

Both you and Lydia dedicated your lives in pursuit of justice and knowledge. South End Press, Znet, Z Media Institute, and Z Magazine were incredibly important collaborations. I applaud and celebrate the creativity and hard work that it took just to launch them. I will always be grateful to both of you for your unending commitment in the furtherance of democracy.

My image of Lydia is a very smart and strong woman, an accomplished playwright and author. Although I didn’t know Lydia well, she was always gracious and thoughtful.My partner truly cared for her. He spoke very highly of her work and her intelligence. My fondest memories was when he and I last visited when you were living in Florida. Lydia was so hospitable and attentive. I have an image that comes back to me..all of us eating ice cream and laughing while watching American Idol.  It seems like yesterday. I’m glad that we spent some fun time together and that I was able to tell her that I appreciated the opportunity to get to know her more. She agreed. I will always remember Lydia as a woman that “ nevertheless she persisted.”  She will persist and her work and influence will live on.

—

So sorry to hear the sad news about Lydia. But your moving tribute to her life and work definitely prompts me to confirm that there were hundreds of us who felt most welcomed by both of you at Z’s old Woods Hole headquarters, by the mill pond.

That was many years after I first witnessed your formidable joint organizing talent on display in the summer of 1971 when you managed to shepherd a very large crowd on a ten mile anti-war march from the Cambridge Green to Lexington’s, then find places for everyone to crash in local churches, and then, early the next morning, roused us all for a mass arrest sit-in at the main entrance to Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford. This landed us for several hours on the concrete floor of a Concord Public Works Department Garage, before being bussed to district court in Concord, then just a short walk down the street from the Orchard House (aka “The Little Women House”) and other local landmarks.

All in all, it was quite a non-National Park sanctioned “battle road” tour. For anyone who could wrangle a crowd like that, herding (and handling) cats on the left so deftly for so many years afterwards at South End, Z Mag, Z Institute et al must have been, comparatively speaking, a walk in the park?

Not really, I know, but Lydia’s accomplishments and yours and yours together remain an inspiration to many and a model for activists of all ages!

—

So sorry to hear about Lydia. I’m very sorry for your loss. Lydia was a unique and wonderful human being. The world is less than it should be with her gone. She was possibly the best stage actor I have ever seen, a fierce lover of animals and the oppressed, and an unstoppable force in publishing and transforming perspectives and lives for the better — through the influential Z Magazine, the intensive ZMI, and all her creative activism, writings, and productions.

She meant more to me than you could know — though that’s all wrapped up in a bundle of my own emotional wreckage, personal history, and pathetic foibles. My empathy for you both with regard to the dementia and I hope you have come through the experience as whole as you can be.

—

My sincere condolences. I am deeply saddened by Lydia’s passing, she was always kind to me. Her writing made me laugh all the time. I am truly sorry for your loss Michael.

—

Michael, my condolences. I’m very sorry to hear your news. I remember the time I spent with you and Lydia when Mark, Anders, Florian and I visited you in Key Largo in Florida I think in 2012, almost a decade ago. I have warm memories of the time we all spent together and getting to know Lydia.
You are in my thoughts.

—

I am very sorry to hear about Lydia, my sincere condolences to you and Lydia’s family. Since getting to know Lydia at ZMI in 2010 and then a few years later in Key Largo I have often been inspired by her. Just recently I showed my wife one of Lydia’s articles on Feminism and the left and we both loved it so much. The article is so much ahead of the current thinking. Personally, I will never forget how Lydia hugged me after my Pamp speech at ZMI. I felt a bit embarrassed about telling everyone about how my father had belittled me when I was a child and the effects that that had. But I felt that Lydia understood. And I vividly remember how Lydia started and ended ZMI reciting Noam’s “Keep the rabble in line” verse and how she told us to never back down in the face of authority. These were the most inspiring moments at ZMI. I am sure there are many more and Lydia and her spirit to change the world will always be with us.

—

I am sorry for you and for all of those who got to share their lives with Lydia. But while her loss will remain a painful scar for many years, I hope that those closest to her can find some comfort in knowing that her light, compassion and strength has changed the world for the better, and the light she brought to all of our lives will outlive the pain.

I only ever communicated with Lydia by email at Z, but even in that distant and impersonal form of communication I often drew strength from her when I was at my most disheartened and struggling to stay positive. I am grateful that my life crossed over with Lydias.

Thank you both for everything you have done for all of us. It will never be forgotten.

—

I just saw and read your piece on Lydia. Got teary. My mother had dementia. Specific to her speech. For three years. She died at 80 about 21/2 years ago. Know exactly what you mean. Death is a real bummer, don’t like it much, but dementia can make living seem unbearable. But really just wanted to send some thoughts. Hope you’re doing ok, in all present respects.

—

I was so sorry to hear of Lydia’s recent death. I just wanted to pass on the condolences from all of us here in Dublin, myself, Lizzie, Sam and my mother. Although I never had the good fortune of meeting Lydia, I have read her contributions to Z and heard you and others speak deferentially of her empathy for others, her passion for justice, her sense of fun and sharp intellect. She sounded like a formidable woman and you clearly made a formidable team running SEP and then Z together and as partners in life. I hope you can draw strength from the great times you spent together to help you through the loss and grief. The devastating effect of the Covid virus is that it claims lives of those who are not even afflicted with the disease. A family member entered a care home here in Ireland in January( in reasonably good health). However, due to the ‘lockdown’, isolation, loss of contact and resulting confusion died in April with only 6 family members permitted to attend the funeral. In May, a friend for more than 20 years died by suicide no doubt from the isolation caused by the restrictions imposed to halt the spread of Covid-19. The effects of isolation and dementia can be as deadly as any virus.
My thoughts are with you and her children. I don’t know if there is any way I can be of help or support, but if there is anything you think I could do to help at this time and in the coming weeks and months please let me know. I will do my best to honour Lydia by fighting to win the better world she embodied in her actions and sought to realise for everyone through her work.

—

I’m so sorry to hear about Lydia’s death. And to happen during this awful epidemic and alone in a hospital is so brutal.

Your letter brought back so many wonderful memories—mostly of all the fun we had together. Doing parts from plays, making jokes, laughing, and hanging out. Not many people who are as politically dedicated as she are as good at
also enjoying life.

I haven’t met anyone else like her and expect I never will. A true original. I loved her. And I salute her today—for her amazing courage, deep political commitment, creativity, warmth, brilliance, and morality.

She may not be resting in peace. But she is resting inside me.

Sending you love in this dark time. Julie

—

I’m so sorry to hear about Lydia. She (and you) had an enormous impact on my life, and I loved her as a coworker, comrade and dear friend. When I first came to SEP she made two things really clear: that I would be welcomed into the collective and would be supported; and that I was expected to do a lot. That’s one of the main things I’ve learned from her, how to relate openly and honestly while expecting people to live up to their commitments, part of which is supporting them/others to do so. Lydia never demanded of others what she wasn’t willing to herself which has got to be one of the central principles of revolutionary egalitarianism. It certainly made me respect her.

But it wasn’t what made me love her. I loved the way her ferocious commitment combined with a wicked sense of humor. I loved the way you could see her listening carefully thru her eyes. I loved the way her empathy was extended to people. (Especially little ones, she really had a way with kids.)

And I appreciated the way she trusted me. Lydia could get angry and be hard to deal with, but she was always clear about where you stood with her. I’m sorry that the whole continent lies between us and has made it difficult to keep up. I can’t imagine how hard this is for you. Let me know if there’s anything I can do now or after the immediate grief passes. All my love and sorrow, Todd

—

I remember reading Lydia’s book*Women and Revolution*and thinking how important it was for me to absorb the lessons she and others offered.

I remember reading Lydia’s many articles on feminism in ZMagazine, soaking up her perspective that understood race, class, sex/gender, and power as an interwoven totality warped by oppression.

I remember admiring how witty her Hotel Satire column was.

I remember asking Lydia if I could interview her for a radio show. She declined. I can’t remember the reason she gave, but I could tell that being interviewed wasn’t her thing.

I remember going to ZMedia Institute (ZMI) in Woods Hole, MA, circa 2001, and attending Lydia’s sessions on satire, street theater, and radical publishing. I was blown away by her skill, creativity and experience.

At that same ZMI, I remember Lydia parading all of us attendees, she at the front with a massive red and black flag, through the center of Woods Hole and down the main street. It must have looked like an anarchist invasion to those standing by, watching. She made it seem possible.

I remember attending the Z Sessions on Vision and Strategy in 2007 and seeing Lydia behind a video camera with headphones on.

After joining Z as staff, I remember coming into the office to work every morning, and Lydia was sitting at her desk producing her “nth” ZMagazine. Her parrots, Zeke and Zack, and later Zammy, owned the place.

I remember the excitement I felt when Lydia invited me to operate lights and sound for her plays in the local theater. My radio background gave me, at that time, a good sense of timing for theatrical cues. Over a four-year period we produced, perhaps, more than 100 shows (not separate plays, but shows running for six week periods, sometimes twice per day on weekends) at the Woods Hole Community Center and public library.

I remember sitting in the pub with Lydia and the cast, after many performances, enjoying a well-earned pint and plate of fries, reflecting on the show’s highs-and-lows.

During this period, I developed a deep admiration for Lydia’s abilities as an actor, playwright and director. I remember – for weeks and months at a time – seeing Lydia sitting in a chair rehearsing her lines. Then seeing her perform them on stage from the light and sound booth. She also coordinated the set changes, casting, promotional communications, brought her own furniture to set, collected costumes, makeup, and more. For these things alone, I was in awe of Lydia.

I remember traveling to the 2007 US Social Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, with Lydia. I remember her critique of a beauty pageant that was occurring in the same space as the forum, as we met with ZMI alumni. The sense of community that ZMI alumni held when together, and apart, was a bond like no other that I’ve felt. She’s responsible for bringing so many people together, not just for ZMI, but for life.

As staff, I remember Lydia handling all the logistics leading up to ZMI, getting everything in order so that the institute ran as smoothly as possible over its nine day stretch.

I remember her contribution to my book *Real Utopia*, about her role in the creation of South End Press and later Z Magazine, sharing her experiences for others to learn from.

I remember the four and a half years that I worked at Z with Lydia. I remember her concern over my loneliness in Woods Hole. I remember her concern about relationships I developed outside of Woods Hole. I remember Lydia not expressing joy when longtime friends of Z announced they were getting married, because she didn’t believe in marriage. I remember her not attending my wedding for the same reason, even though she attended her gardener’s wedding. I remember Lydia welcoming my mother and niece to Christmas dinner in her home. I remember Lydia being excited to spend time with her children and grandchildren over weekends and holidays.
I remember much more about Lydia.

I experienced just a small slice of time with Lydia. But she left her mark on me indefinitely, like she has left her mark on so many others.

I’m truly sorry for the loss that Michael and Lydia’s family must be experiencing. I literally can’t imagine and, when I try, my heart wants to jump out of my throat and my chest feels like it’s about to collapse, leaving an empty void.

Lydia was a giant. An amazing, brilliant, skilled, vulnerable, generous, intimidating, cantankerous, feminist, revolutionary, parrot loving, giant.

I remember Lydia.

—

I am so sorry for your loss, I am so sorry that Lydia had to go through what she went through, I don’t have the words, there aren’t any in such moments, I guess. I cannot contemplate what all of this was like.  So I write to you not out of some wisdom or insight, but as a human being in human solidarity. Many of us have lost loved ones and we can only draw from that experience to be in solidarity with you at this moment. Many of us (if not most) on the left see death in the same way as you. Yet, even though I am in no way religious, there are certain cultural ceremonies that I have absorbed like lighting a candle to honour someone. When words cannot express something, a metaphoric symbol sometimes can – at least for me.  A candle is a flame, a light, so many people like Lydia are lights that allow us to see in the darkness, that give us hope, that show us a path, that inspire and that inspire others to inspire. I will take the time this week and light one for Lydia as my own little gesture in my own little part of the world. Her work lives on, her influence lives one, example is a light in the darkness. Like the name of your website Z (which phonetically translates in Greek as *“(he/she) lives”,* Lydia lives though the people she touched. Her flame will always be lit in their hearts. Thank you for sending me this, thank you for telling me more about Lydia. I knew of her but I did not know her, but I will do my best in my life to try and live a little like her.
In sympathy and in solidarity,

—

I am so very sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine your heartbreak. I am sending wishes for courage and hopes that the next days, months and years are full of fond, albeit complicated, remembrance.

I will always remember Lydia’s tall stature, and the almost defensive confidence that she exuded. A defensive rooted in insecurities I also saw in myself and which I have sought to undo. She helped me find myself in the history of a long, radical feminist struggle that also sought to understand all other oppressions while building towards collective liberation. In amplifying so very many voices through her uncompromising and prolific publishing, she shone light on communities of thought that have helped make me who I am today. Thank you, Lydia. I can still hear her disdain for academising critical thought, and her straightforward no-nonsense passion and conviction. Her call for us all to dream and imagine the world we need and deserve stays with me and guides me in my organising, always.

—

I just this morning learned of Lydia’s passing. I am truly sorry for your loss. Your years together and your unique relationship were impossible to fail to appreciate — everyone who knew you both well felt this. Your impact on the world and surely your sense of place in it were long connected to one another. It’s a feeling I’ve had briefly with a few people (most of whom you’ve known), but your and Lydia’s relationship was truly incomparable, even as I identified with it, admired it, and was influenced by it. You were the closest thing to a modern-day Emma-and-Sasha that I had in my life when I was first coming to understand what it means to have intimate relationships while immersed in radical politics. You achieved a tremendous amount together, another thing many of us aspired to emulate. And while you kept the your intimacy as private as any couple I have ever known, there is no denying that your connection was as real and profound as any ever has been, and your loss is thus truly monumental.

Nothing that has happened between us in the past could eclipse or even obfuscate what I know to be true about you and Lydia, and what she meant to you throughout. I know I won’t be among the people you seek out for grounding or direction now that she is gone, and I also know you’ve had plenty of practice at supplementing the loss of guidance and comradery you must have experienced the last several years, but I do know you’ll keep finding ways to do what you do, which gives me some comfort, as you are still needed.

I also know the anguish of relief felt when a loved one passes who was suffering badly — I do not know the specifics, but every person I have known who passed this way has suffered immensely, and their closest loved ones often seemingly as much. The mixed response to their passing can be brutal. You have always seemed to have a better grip on such things than me, but I’ve always suspected you suffer just like the rest of us, if mostly inside. So most of all I am sorry that you must be hurting very badly. To which I can only say, the world misses Lydia collectively, and you are not alone.

Many of us are infused with countless lovely memories of her. For me, most are rooted in her larger-than-life presence whenever it was her turn to shine, despite her staying out of the spotlight 99% of the time. She did that as well as anyone I’ve ever known who had the talent to take any stage but made room for others and made every such appearance count for something.

I hope this does not take too much of a toll on you. It’s also okay if it does. Having been apart from her for so many years now, I know Lydia will remain present for me like few have after passing, which suggests to me that she’ll be at your side the rest of your days. I hope they are plenty and happy.

—

It is difficult for me to imagine my life had Lydia not been in it. Reading ZNet and Z Magazine from 1999, coming to ZMI in 2000, again to ZMI as a TA in 2001 and an instructor in years afterwards, it is exactly as you say: I remember her fanatical commitment to being there to greet and see off visitors at the bus station. So saying bye to Lydia and getting on the bus is a strong memory groove, having repeated it 5 or more times.

Everything we did in the 2000s as partisans of Z was as a part of Lydia’s team. It’s true that those of us who worked mainly on ZNet worked mainly with you but she was everywhere, did everything.

There were so many personally important and politically enriching moments that I will always associate with Woods Hole, Z House, Lydia, you, and the birds.
I remember arriving early for ZMI one year and working with Cynthia under Lydia’s direction to clean bird poop off of various surfaces. I remember being in the car with Lydia driving, the discussion alternating from logistics for the post-ZMI party to the structural nature of sexism and the totality of oppression. I remember a student in 2000 (I even remember who he was but I won’t say) talking about how ZNet was so good that he doesn’t even need to read Z Magazine any more, and Lydia replying, “well, fuck you!” And we all had a laugh. I even remember visiting you guys once and cooking you guys something and both of you being totally unimpressed.

She was such a serious person who also loved comedy; such a truthful person who also loved to act; such a strong personality who was also so nurturing towards ZMI students and guests at Z House.

It’s true that we don’t believe in life after death but her actions and decisions reverberate in every activist who was touched by Z and ZMI and everything they went on to do.

—

Lydia had a huge effect on my life. I started working at South End Press when I was just 22 years old, and that experience changed my life. Lydia’s energy and vision were a huge part of what made SEP possible.

She was relentless, stubborn as hell, a work horse like no other, politically astute and principled, and funny as hell. We worked our asses off at SEP, and I would go home exhausted. But she went home and wrote plays and then directed them and acted in them. I have no idea where she got the energy. Her plays were hilarious, viciously on point, as well as poignant.

We used to take trips driving up and down the east coast to visit bookstores and try to get them to order books from our catalog. (This was the 1980s. No internet. No amazon.) We had so many adventures.

I watched her be dogged, committed, brutally honest, as well as extremely challenging at times. I didn’t know much about her background at the time, but you could guess that it hadn’t been pretty.

It was worth figuring out how to navigate working with her because….how many people have that kind of vision?? Not too many. It’s a blessing that I got to be in her energy field — via SEP, Z, and ZMI — all amazing projects that have enriched my life and the lives of so many others and that have done no small part in moving us toward a better world.

Michael — you and Lydia formed an amazing partnership. Thank you for being so loyal, for backing her, for co-visioning with her. You helped make it possible for her to lead the life she wanted to lead.

Lydia Sargent, presente!

—

I’m so saddened to hear about Lydia and for your loss. I will always remember her being such a light. Rather a flame or fire bringing so much passion, curiosity and playfulness everywhere which was all a real inspiration to someone like me who didn’t know how to embrace that in myself. She was one of the first people to make me feel like I belonged in the American left and that I belong in general. I’ll never forget that. I’ll keep fighting in her spirit.

I wish you and your loved ones peace and ease during this time. Take care. Uruj

—

Beautiful and moving words. I’m one of those who will never forget her presence at ZMI, at times that were not easy for me.  And much else.  Not many leave their mark on the world the way Lydia did. Terrible shame that the last years were so horrid. Very sorry.

—

Oh, no! You knew this was coming, but not so quickly, and I’m sure it’s devastating. There will be lots of time in the future to revisit the awful way things unfolded, but for now I’d like to remember Lydia and how much she meant to me.

She was the coordinator at South End Press for my book *Socialist Visions*, which began my interest in the topic of vision that remains one of my passions. She was a key organizer of ZMI, which I always considered one of the most valuable political projects that I’ve ever participated in. But ZMI was also a great time to get to hang out with you and Lydia, and I recall how sharp I thought her assessments were of various issues and personalities at those gatherings. We shared too an enjoyment of tennis and theatre – I especially remember our going to South Pacific and several US Opens together. Alas, age and her illness meant that we saw each other infrequently in recent years, but I will always value her commitment, her wisdom, and her friendship.

Her illness also took a terrible toll on your relationship. Yet you remained devoted to her throughout. I hope your memories of her at her best and your love for her at her worst help you through this incredibly difficult time.

—

Oh Michael, my heart is with you. Your words about Lydia are so very moving, so very powerful. I know what this loss means to you, and I completely understand how hard this process has been…especially watching her mind disappear. The pain you feel is real, but please know that you are not alone. with much, much love, Leslie

—

My condolences on Lydia’s passing. Your raw, honest tribute to her at Znet was very powerful. She accomplished a great deal despite the messed up early family life and your declaration that the best way to pay tribute is by living like her is absolutely spot on. You for one are certainly doing that with all your valuable work and by inspiring others.

It’s an incredibly difficult time in many ways. All the best to you, Michael.

—

’m typing through eyes filled with tears. There are no words of comfort. Her suffering’s over, at least. And some of your suffering is over too. What you’ve written about her is so incredibly beautiful and moving. You’ve painted a picture of a woman who overcame huge odds but didn’t let them define her; she achieved so much and brought so much love and joy to the people she met and touched.

I don’t have words to tell you how sorry I am that you’re going through this, and going through it at a time when this damned virus is about and you can’t even get the comfort of being around others. Reach out if you want to talk…or even just sit in silence in somebody else’s company.

—

What you and Lydia have been going through these past years, months and days is so horrible. It was not fair, nor the right way to end what was such an important life and relationship. Perhaps you’ll never know why things evolved as they did. But I hope that in this time of terrible grief you will be able to hold on to some of the wonderful memories you have of your long life together. You and Lydia are both in my heart.

 

—

I have several enduring memories of Lydia at the Z house in Woods Hole. It was somewhat intimidating to meet her as I’d read her articles in Z Mag for years before. But she was such a gracious host. I often feel uncomfortable in the houses of Americans, but she was so nicely expressive that all of it melted away. Probably when she showed us a video of her acting and told us about the upcoming production she was involved in, Fireside Theatre-style. And she was especially graceful in accepting the Quebec maple syrup we brought, though many people can’t stand the stuff. We also had a spirited discussion about Tim Wise’s then-current book. After that we both gushed about the movie Ten Things I Hate About You.
I can’t imagine the hole that her passing has left in you. With love and admiration, Dave

—

I’m am so so deeply sorry Michael. What a loss. Jim and I send our love. We fondly remember Lydia and her brightness, creativity and love.

—

My sincerest condolences on hearing about Lydia’s passing.  I only had the privilege of meeting and hanging out with her twice (at ZMI and again in Porto Alegre). But she was always so generous, funny, welcoming, empathetic, and insightful in everything she did and wrote, as a person, organizer, and writer.  She made me feel at home in Woods Hole and at the World Social Forum.  And I learned a lot from the experiences she occasionally shared about gender, decision-making, divisions of labour, and alternative institutions — from SEP to Z.

—

Thank you. That tribute brought tears to my eyes. It is so beautiful and moving, and Lydia seems to have lived an extraordinary life, and been through so much. And what an amazing legacy to leave behind in the things she created and the lives she touched.

I have witnessed at close quarters how hard it is to overcome early family trauma. To survive and overcome is something close to miraculous.

An old friend of mine, who is an only child, is now looking after his mother, who has dementia. Watching what he is going through makes me realise that I simply had no idea of just the depth of the pain and sorrow that goes with this disease. So I can just imagine what you had to endure.

I am only sorry that I did not meet Lydia, and I am honoured that you shared this with me. I have no doubt that I will hear more from mutual friends in the coming days and months.

Take care Michael, and I hope you are surrounded by the love of your friends and Lydia’s friends, and sustained by memories of your life together.

—

I am so sorry…

…my heart goes out to you, without you and Lydia right after I left
college… I could not call myself a man…

… I wouldn’t be able to live my truth without the two of you. That
is how important the two of you were, are, and shall remain in my
life. Everything with South End, Z, ZMI which I was lucky enough to
attend and force myself to learn from …

… did you know that I took my first girlfriend, the composer Emily
Shisko, to see Good Will Hunting when it was in theaters –
specifically, the Pacific Theater at the Lakewood Mall.

Lakewood, Michael – our So-Cal update to your Levittown.

You are correct, the dead do not hear us.

But the living do. They have. We will.

—

I am so sorry to hear of Lydia’s passing. Thank you for sharing this moving tribute to her.

I really enjoyed meeting Lydia and appreciate the great media and radical resources she helped build. Z and ZMI have really influenced my life and provided a helpful community of like-minded people doing inspiring work. As a younger person, the spaces they provided gave me an outlet and a community that lived on through other outlets, collaborations, and work in my life.

April Howard and I really loved ZMI. It was such a great space and culture, and I think the legacy lives on through the connections we made there, as well as the example ZMI provided of an educational model. I enjoyed talking with and getting to know Lydia better during ZMI, and I appreciated her steadfast political leadership in Z Magazine.

Getting to know Lydia, as well as you, and the folks I came to know at Toward Freedom, helped me connect with a different, older generation of activists and radicals in a way that has helped guide my life and politics.

I’m sorry for your loss and send my condolences.

—

I am so very sorry to read this, Michael. My heart goes out to you and your family.

I never really got to know Lydia. I would see her in passing but we never had the opportunity to work together. I knew her by reputation and, of course, through you.

I have lost several friends and colleagues over the last period including from Covid19 and cancer, and my wife has two siblings suffering with Alzheimer’s. There is a part of me that seems to remain in pain, so each of your words in your beautiful tribute to Lydia resonates deeply within me.

You and I have become friends over the years. I am not sure that I or anyone else would have predicted that. But I say that because it is times like these when it often helps to have someone you can reach out to and chat and know that you will not be judged. So, comrade & friend, feel free to reach out if it works for you. Again, my thoughts are with you.

 

—

I’m sorry to hear the sad news, Michael.

As you know, I recently lost my mum – who had a dual diagnosis of dementia and cancer – so I have some understanding of what you are going through.

Z and ZMI are definitely highlights in my life and I have very fond memories of Lydia from my time there as well as my visit to Florida. I will never forget her and you must know that her spirit lives on in the hundreds of lives that she touched.

—

I’m so sorry, Lydia was a bright light in so many ways. I feel deeply honored that both of you invited me in to your home and world, she shaped my political trajectory and work i’ve done my entire life. When i think of her i think of her smile by the water in woods hole and being on stage. You are in my thoughts and heart.

—

My heart goes out to you Michael. You were a the best partner that Lydia could have ever hoped to have. Let me know if there is anything I can do. John

—

I am so sorry to hear of your—and the world’s—loss. May your loving memories and many mutual triumphs bring you some solace during these dark days.

—

My sincerest, most profound condolences to you on this sad day. And it happened on Yom Kippur, no less…

Lydia’s memory certainly lives on in her writing, her humor, the essential projects she helped found, and all the countless ways she has touched so many generations of activists and revolutionaries.

All my best to you, Eric, and everyone who has struggled with Lydia’s condition. Be well!

—

oh, Mike! Words definitely fail me at times like these. Just know I’m thinking of you, and remembering better times with Lydia, when she made me feel at home and welcome in Woods Hole, and showed me how fierce women live their lives. I can’t really imagine what a century long relationship looks and feels like, but it’s clear from your written words that you knew and loved Lydia in a way that few people ever experience.

So, I’m sending love to you remotely.

I hope today is a peaceful day.

—

My deepest sympathies on Lydia’s passing.
I sit here with tears in my eyes because although I did not know her personally as you did, I feel her loss as a person singularly and selflessly dedicated to the benefit of humankind.

A continuation of her work is the fitting tribute.

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I’m so very sad to hear. My condolences to you, Michael. Lydia was all you say. She was just a solid person. I will recall all our all too brief conversations fondly. I don’t know what else to say. I understand your hurt dealing with dementia in a relative. I’ve experienced it myself. Strength and best wishes to you for your loss.

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When I read your last email, I thought something like this might have happened. Then I read your tribute to her.

I’m so sorry. That she lived such a good life after such a shitty start is a tribute to her, to those she loved and those she included in her life. She did well.

A loss like this can only hurt. Grieve, brother, grieve—all that hurt needs to come out

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Very sad news. Never met Lydia but through your words learned she was not only your life companion but a real pillar of many of your missions dedicated to achieve fair, egalitarian, sound, prosperous and happy society. Will we get there? Don´t know!
Thank you for the portrait you delivered of Lydia. An extraordinary lady. Very sorry for you, my friend.
Un abrazo, Fernando Vegas

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I never met Lydia and did not know much about her but she seems to have been a truly remarkable person, multi-talented and embued with a revolutionary spirit. I can feel the pain of her loss in your words. Stay strong, comrade, as you and her many friends and colleagues grieve her passing. Lydia Presente!

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Thank you for sharing these beautiful tributes. I wish I had been in her orb. She sounds like a force of nature. You were lucky to have such a partner Michael, and have so many wonderful memories. I can feel her presence in this collective. Medea

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I’m deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Anything I could say you already know, but nonetheless: I look back upon ZMI and our Woods Hole visits as some of the best times of my 20s, when you and Lydia opened your home to young radicals with no strings attached. Lydia’s sharp analysis, humor, whit, and theatrics will be missed. This is devastating news. As your friend and comrade, I’m here for you if you need me.

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Sad news indeed. Your words were on point and moving. I’ll always be grateful for the time I spent with her. I don’t pray either, but I do feel for you.

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Mike, I know what Lydia went through and what you are going through.
Now is the turn of Aspasia and me.

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Just saw your note about Lydia. I was very moved by it. I’m sure everyone else was too. PTSD is the state I found myself in after Gail died. I hope you can escape it.

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My thoughts are with you. Lydia’s work for justice and peace, as yours, always informed and inspired.

Stay strong brother.

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Thank you for informing me of Lydia’s death. This has to be a
horribly difficult time for you. So sorry.

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My deepest condolences, Michael. Lydia will forever in my memories remain a fighter, a good person, a writer of truths and in this upside down world, a person you can trust, which makes her an inspiration and a unique human being. I believe we all live forever when we live a life worth living.

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Very sorry for your loss. I won’t forget her. Good bye Lydia.

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I’m so sorry, Mike. Sending you love and peace, my friend.

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So sad to hear this, Michael. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and moving tribute. A luta continua. ¡Lydia, presente!

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May her Memory be Eternal, Michael. My sympathies,

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I’m so sorry for your loss, Michael. Thanks for sharing this, sharing Lydia and your love for her. Good luck out there.

 

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