A sad first

I don't know exactly when I met Arona, but I have known her since 1982, when I first moved to New York.
Often men are decribed as  being " a man's man " Arona was the feminine equivalanent. She was deeply feminine and an incredibly thoughtful and loyal friend  to many women in cour community.

Arona married fairly late in life. She married the intensely sweet, Lou. I have worked with Arona a few times over the years, I made her atara and then I re- made her tallit. You can read about my work with Arona, here, http://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/2009/09/more-on-therapistss-tallit.html, and here http://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/2010/04/revisiting-old-work.html

Arona died yesterday. She had been very private about her illness. She had asked me a few years ago not to say a word about her illness and I didn't say a word, not even to my husband.

People who wear tallitot, are buried in their tallitot.  I assume that Arona will be buried in this tallit. This is the first time that one of my tallitot will be buried with their wearer.

I will miss Arona's thoughtful, careful and spiritual approach to life. I will miss my friend Arona.