Dear friends,
I really don't know how many (or, if any of you) have been following these diary entries of mine, but just a few minutes ago I learned that our dear friend Leo Kahn passed away earlier today, November 25, 2009. He was a dear friend and, though he drove me nuts when we were teenagers, proved to be a sweet, caring and dear friend during these many past years. He was one of the first of the group who really appreciated reading these diaries of mine - he said it brought back the best time of his life. He was the one who suggested that instead of copying and printing all 362 pages (plus pictures) of the hard copy here in New York and then lugging it to Manila in 2006, he said why didn't I just get it copied in Manila where it would be much cheaper and I wouldn't have to carry it in my luggage. Now why didn't I think of that?!!! So, I did and I gave out copies of this tome to many of the girls and boys (now, men and women) who featured in the diaries. It was a good thing to do and it gives me a little comfort to know that Leo remembered with me, a few years of our lives in Manila when we were young and all was good and clean. Actually, another person who enjoyed these diaries and wrote me an email telling me how much he enjoyed it was another of our dear friends - Tony Ortigas - who also has left us much, much to early. In fact, why do they have to leave us at all?!!
I know you all will remember Leo ( a bona fide member of the Bamboo Telegraph (if not its originator)), with good memories and prayers. My sincerest condolences to his sisters and son and wife. He's probably giving St. Peter a whole earful of chismes already.
Lea
About Me
- Lea
- Brooklyn, New York, United States
- I was born in a Japanese concentration camp in Los Baños, Laguna in 1944 and raised in Manila. I spent my grade school years in Maryknoll College and high school years at St. Paul's College of Manila. I spent most of my summer leisure time at the Army Navy Club of Manila. I married a nice American man in 1965 and moved to New York. In 1969, I left New York for Barcelona and lived there 8 years. I returned to the States in 1977 and lived there until 2011. I visit Manila and Barcelona as often as I can. I have a lovely daughter and granddaughter.My father, Hal Bowie, died in Manila in 1974, and my mother, who moved back to Barcelona after his death, died in 1995. I retired from Polytechnic University (now NYU-Poly)in 2011 after 27 years! After moving to Florida I returned to NY after 8 years and now am living again in my first home in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
