Yesterday we received sad news from Laura and Andrew Weitzner: their beloved mother Karen Weitzner has passed away on December 4th in New York.
Karen's close friend from college, Gina, introduced her to Leonard Cohen's music in college 42 years ago, and ever since Leonard's songs were always present in her life.
Karen was one of the very first ones to contact me back in 1995 when I joined the old Newsgroup (and a bit later launched the Files), and our email correspondence continued until November this year.
Eija and I first met Karen at the Montreal Event in 2000, and then again in New York in 2004. In her home-town she also performed at the Open Mic with her children Laura and Andrew.
Unfortunately serious healt issues made it impossible for her to travel, and she had to follow our activities from distance. Thanks to the help of Laura and Andrew, Karen got chance to see some of Leonard's last Grand Tour concerts in New York.
Karen had a living will, where she requested her funeral include "Sisters of Mercy" which she called her desert island song--"if you were on a desert island, what would you bring..." she would bring the "Sisters of Mercy" song. She also wanted "If It Be Your Will" and the one line from "The Window"--"Gentle This Soul".
Rest in Peace, Karen. Eija and I would like to express our sorrow and condolences to Laura and Andrew.
