Lean frog

don't jump!

Issa is here.

In Memoriam

Eveleen Mary Bingham
(Eveleen Mary Johnston)

November 16, 1943
April 20, 2007

Eve had a strong relationship to this site and wanted to build it into something consistent with the symbolism in the haiku by Issa, which spoke to her. She never had the chance to complete it so it seems right to make it her memorial.

Eve died at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, England on the 20th of April at 7:30 p.m. shortly after the surgeon told me that her operation had been a success, she was in the recovery suite, that she was awake, that she would be returning up to the ward in 30 minutes, and that her prognosis about the cancer he had treated was good. She never came back to the ward. I was told by the surgeon and a nurse who was attending that they tried for a half-hour to save her.

On Wednesday, 25 April, the day Eve was scheduled to come home from the hospital, the Coroner's Court determined from the autopsy that there should be an inquest. They said, by defualt, the medical cause of death is that Eve's heart stopped ("vagal inhibition"). This means that the autopsy found nothing that should have caused Eve's death, in fact apart from the operation and the scarring from the last treatment, things were normal; she should not have died. The Coroner's Court must now determine what events and actions caused her death. I am grateful for the inquest because I want peace of mind from understanding what caused the end to this life that was so precious to me.

After 40 years and 7 months being married to Eve, the loss I feel is unimaginable. There is a silence in our home that has nothing to do with sound, and for which I cannot name a sense. If you are a spiritual kind, please pray for her, and for me, in your way. I am writing this paragraph just over two months following Eve's death and the pain and loss is still immense. Diana just sent a letter, see below, and it has left me weeping. I so miss being able to turn around or call to Eve and talk about what I have just seen or been doing. It feels even worse because it seems, from what we know so far, that she should not have died, and this lack of clarity slows the healing. (25 June, 2007)

I added this wonderful video in December 2008 because it depicts my feelings so well. It is playing music called "Chi Mai" by Ennio Morrione. The images are amazing in the way they capture loss. But the last frame says everything.

I would like to post thoughts on this site from some of you who knew Eve. Please send your thoughts of Eve by email. Here is a link to click to do that thoughts of Eve. Thanks so much for the thoughts, which are posted below this note. I know Ev would be really touched.

Eve was born Eveleen Mary Johnston, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the USA. She lived in Arlington and Cambridge in Massachusetts as she grew up and went to university. We met when she was a graduate student in Pyschology at Boston University. After we got married, we spent time in: College Park, Maryland; Pougkeepsie, New York; Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts; Munich, Germany; London, England; Zurich, Switzerland; Groningen, The Netherlands; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and we finally arrived here, Wapping, London, England.

Although Eve did not actively practice the Roman Catholic religion she was raised in, she was a seriously spiritual person and her relationship to Roman Catholicism informed her life. The outcome was closer to Budhism, which is not unknown for intellectual, reflective Catholics. As closely as I could, I followed the Roman Catholic traditions and rites for her. Her body was blessed shortly after her death by Father Philip of the St. Bartholomew's Chaplaincy. The funeral service for her was conducted by Father Digby Samuels in St. Patrick's church in Wapping, in London on 25 May. People who knew her felt the service fitted her life. I think she would be happy with this.

Eve's body was buried in the City of London Cemetery, a beautiful place run by the Corporation of London.

Please keep her in your mind from time to time.

For those of you who, like me, believe in science, logic, and rationality, please consider two questions ... What is outside the universe as we know it? ... What was before time? ...

Gren.

Grenville Bingham
3 Vinegar Street
London E1W2QQ
England

You can contact me via telephone on 020 7871 5001 (from outside the UK +44 20 7871 5001)

THOUGHTS OF EVE

I knew Eve since before I was born. Her and Gren were both a big part of my childhood and growing up. Eve used to play a game, she took a blank piece of paper and drew a line across the middle. “This is your world,” she said. “The horizon. You can put anything you want into your world.”

I still play that game.

--
Jack Hemens
Intermediate
020 7432 7040
079 6878 3249

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Dear Evie,

The years have gone with us and between us. We met a a time in our 20's looking to start a working career. Our meeting sparked a friendship I did not expect. Our friendship grew in little steps and we found a raport that lasted a lifetime. Although there were large gaps in our contact, we always found ourselves back in touch in some way.

Our friendship after Cambridge was laced with long intervals of contact once Gren and you moved to Europe. I am sorry I never made it to Geneva to ski the Alps.

I remember when we walked the streets of Cambridge sharing thoughts and theories about behavior, ours included. You were there for me when I needed your guidance in a difficult time of my life. I remember the closeness and can feel it to this day and and how it felt to walk together. East Cambridge should have a foot path for us.

I remember dinners at places and listening to Tom Lehrer records with you and I stretched out on my living floor. I remember the sound of your voice, even after all these years. I will remember you always.

Love My Friend,
Diana
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I knew who she was, how she thought. I really did. An electrician like her dad, and her friend, maybe her best, in high school physics. And born in Cambridge, like her, lived Harvard Square in the early sixties.../?Green St? / I always expected to see her again , one day, I expected contact from her . I am very sad. The “why” is important.. she would want that, to prevent re occurrence,. How she would think about it....really. She is missed, even 40 years later. John

__________

Gren, I was a classmate of "Evie" at Matignon. She was not only the smartest person I knew, she was wonderful! Fun and kind of quirky (to a kid of 14) and very definitely her own person long before women were their own
people.

A group of us from the Class of '61 have been exchanging emails about the very sad news of her death. We lost another classmate - Henry (Harry) Flood - just a couple of months ago; not long after we saw him looking wonderful and full of life at our 45th reunion in October.

My husband died 12 years ago. It is a very long process and one that is never really over. We grieve with you even as we celebrate the wonderful Eveleen we knew so long ago.

Fran Camarano Johns
Matignon - '61

__________

Eveleen was always smart, that I remember and deep thinking with a masterful curiosity of life. I am not surprised to learn of her journey of the spirit beyond more conventional constraint. It appears this was a quality she carried throughout her life; a gift she shared with you these many years. It shows.

It is my loss that I did not spend time knowing who she was after those days at Matignon in Cambridge. Thank you for the thoughtful, profound yet pained remembrance you shared with us.

As it happens, I shall be in London (Harlingford Hotel 63 Cartwright Gardens) on the nights of May 29 and 30. Should you be in that area, I would be happy to meet. Your query is that of a never ending quest. Logic is at a loss for those who walk this world lonely.

Charles A. Geoffrion, now from Tucson, Arizona
Matignon High School Class of 1961 President
then from Arlington, Massachusetts


and with deepest condolence,
Charles

Charles A. Geoffrion
Executive Advisor to the Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer
Center for Inquiry Transnational, Amherst, NY
Phone: 520.906.0737 Fax: 520.577.8530
E-mail: cg_comm@msn.com http//:www.centerforinquiry.net

Promoting Reason, Science, and Freedom of Inquiry in all areas of human endeavor

__________

Gren, I am a former classmate of Eve. I have not seen her since graduation in 1961. However, I did not need a picture to remind me of who she was. You probably think well, 1961 could not have made much of a bond/impression but as we all found out at a recent 45th reunion, it does!!!!!! It was a simpler time; we were healthy and happy. You do not forget those times. I have often thought of Eve and had wished we had some news on her. Sadly, this is not the update I would have wanted.

I just got this sad news so I need time to think about those two questions you asked at the end of your e-mail concerning Eve's passing. I do not have to think about it but I do have to think about a way to put it into words for you. I will be back in touch with you when I can do that.

My name is Nancy Grey McCarthy. Grey was my maiden name. Eve was a wonderful bright girl - as she is now in eternity.

My sincere sympathy to you and I will be in touch again.

__________

I am a former high school classmate of Eve, or Eveleen as I knew her. I have special memories of Eveleen. I credit her with getting me through second year French. My language skills were pretty weak. I sat behind Eveleen and whenever I was called on to translate from a book we were reading, I would stand up, take a step forward and begin. Eveleen would coach me by whispering the translation of any words I was struggling with. As the year progressed I needed less and less coaching and I managed to get through one of my least favorite courses. I never forgot that, although Eveleen never gave it a second thought. Eveleen I owe you one.

Paul Okerholm
Matignon High
Class of 61

__________

Dear Gren:

I was a classmate of Evies (as we used to call her at Matignon High School). I remember has as an exceptionally bright, young lady with an exceptionally bright and beautiful smile. She was very nice and although we weren't close friends, I do remember her with fondness.

I am sorry for your loss and hope that the autopsy results bring you some satisfaction as to why such a sudden death. I wish I had the answers to the questions you raise, but I do not. Permit me, however, to tell you I do believe in an after life which is filled with supreme happiness. I am convinced of this as I prepare to say goodbye to my granchild, age 7, who is dying of leukemia. I know I will see her again as I know you will see Eveleen and all of us will know happiness beyond anything imaginable in this world.

Peace be with you,

Sincerely, Shirley Fentross Sullivan
Matignon Class of 1961

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