May 27, 1952 - June 24, 2008
Our lovely Crysta died yesterday at 6:01 a.m., probably earlier. Her dear friends George, Irene, Deborah, Cody, Sherry, Monica & others stood vigil through the last weeks. Irene was with her until the end.
Crysta helped define Seattle's literary landscape and we will miss her. Her first book, Heart Clinic, was published by Bellowing Ark Press in 1993. She had been reading for It's About Time since 1992. July's reading will be dedicated to her.
Crysta waged a fifteen year battle against cancer, all the while managing her schizophrenia. She was one of the most courageous people I've known. She died at the VA hospital in Seattle. May her memory be for a blessing.
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Ballard Library, Seattle, 2nd Thursdays, 6-7:45 pm This reading series exists for all those who want to write. It is dedicated to the memory of Anna Helfgott (1899-1996) who began writing at age 70 & to the memory of Nelson Bentley(1918-1990), the quintessential teacher who gave Anna & scores of others help & hope. It's About Time is dedicated to an end of racism, homophobia, antisemitism, homelessness, an unfair health care system, joblessness & war. Join us, Esther
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- Esther Altshul Helfgott
- Seattle, WA, United States
- Esther Altshul Helfgott is a nonfiction writer, poet, and collage artist. She lives in Seattle. www.estherhelfgott.com
4 comments:
I read some of "Heart Clinic" for my ENG 101 class today and nearly lost it after the first poem "Prayer at 3 a.m.". She was a great poet and a beautiful person. She will be missed -- Mike Hickey.
Thanks for letting me know, Esther. Crysta was a wonderful poet and person. I remember reading with her at Third Place, and also her readings for Pontoon. A big loss.
Crysta loved you Esther, and she loved Abe. Thank you for being her friend and believing in her - George Soronto Stamas
Crysta was a major role model for me when we worked on a magazine together (and attended Nelson's workshop) in the 1980s. I was too young then to realize how brave she was, but I realize it now.
She was a tough cookie and a fabulous poet.
Posthumous love to Crysta from Angela Sorby.
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