Tribute To Theresa Lee Duncan

  It was a year ago that I slowly became aware of the suicide of my favourite blogger, Theresa Duncan. A stranger from America was kind enough to track me down and tell me. Lisa had noticed I was a regular commenter on T's blog. Thanks again Lisa.

 I was devastated. And massively confused. How was it that someone I had never met could impact upon me so?

But it's nothing new. Take the mass outpouring of grief when Elvis died, when John Lennon was shot, when Princess Diana was killed. You don't have to be in physical presence to be moved by someone expressing who they really are. The difference with Theresa was that she never became that famous.

Did that relate to the fact that she was a drop-dead gorgeous blond who was not ever afraid of speaking her sometimes intimidating razor sharp wit and intelligence? (Diana has a somewhat different role in history).

Yeah I'd reckon that's a definite possibility.

She should have been famous and by all accounts she wanted to be. At the very least, she sought to be  heard. I could rave on for hours about that one, but suffice it to say:  this woman had the kind of  impact on me that only a handful of people ever had.

I thought she was brilliant and that's because she was. Funny and entirely confident about her sexuality,all of it, she was a true inspiration and continues to be a muse for me. I have adopted her as a personal goddess in the year since her decision, asking for guidance as I go. And guess what.

She's always right and with a familiar sense of humour.

 Wit.

To all the people that knew her in real time, I hope this anniversary re-instates your own worthiness and reminds you to keep going.

Theresa pictured above with lover and artist Jeremy Blake who drowned himself a week after her death.

Comments

[phd in yogurtry]

Oh how terribly sad. Why, why, why? And the boyfriend who followed. So tragic, all around.

I do like this paraphrased quote from her Dec. post: >

[Alison]

hi phd,

Nobody knows why, perhaps those close to her do, but nobody on the internet (that I've read anyway). Of course there were/are many theories: that she was too outspoken politically; that she was against Scientology (with a very loud voice!) and there were plots that lead to her death because of it (she complained in detail of her and Jeremy being harrassed by Scientologists). She was called paranoid for this, post-death. (Nothing like bringing the daggers out on the dead person who can't speak back).

I'd actually emailed her asking what was wrong and could I help. She was such a prolific blogger - the last alive post was published on July 10, 07 and then nothing- but of course I was too late.

I can only shake my head at this terrible loss for the world, she was one of the great female minds. And Jeremy was a visionary artist. They were great lovers who quite obviously adored one another.

Her daily blogs were my intellectual and visual fix and I still miss her terribly.

But it does point out that a blogging community can be very real to a person and means something quite special.

I'm really glad you are now part of mine.

Cheers,
a.

[phd in yogurtry]

So it was ruled suicide, but there are hints it might have foul play? How scary and awful for her family, trying to piece through this (unless they have buried it all, not wanting to look at it closely).

I'm glad you're in my blogging community, too : )

[Jennifer Rains]

I discovered Theresa, Tess as I call her, last October(2007) article in California Magazine. She has become my personal "spirit guide" I call her, like your "personal goddess". I'm not part of Typepad, but have a blog dedicated to her with my owm personal findings and musings. Please if you get the chance, check me out at thewitcontinuum.wordpress.com. I'm so glad I found your site. The 26th of October is Theresa's birthday-planning a tribute. Peace.