Cornelia Valentine Murphy, A life too brief

Cornelia Valentine Murphy

A life too brief

June 29, 1965 - May 13, 2006

Today, I got word that someone I knew had passed away at age 40, Cornelia Murphy. I briefly knew Cornelia (Corn or Corny to her friends) from 1994 to 1998 when we both lived in Washington D.C. Living and working in DC is transitional, and so I never knew Cornelia that well, (she was the friend of a friend), but I always thought she was a warm and funny person. She was also very loyal to her friends.

The last time I saw her was on the 32 bus headed south on Wisconsin Ave NE. I got on across from the National Cathedral with my daughter. We were headed to the Jelleff Branch of the Boys and Girls Club. The ride wasn't that long, but I remember her laughing with me about sometimes having to rush just to get to work on time using the bus. She also took an interest in my daughter, asking her about what she was doing and how she liked Washington.

That was eight years ago, and while I never thought I would see her again on a regular basis, hearing today that she died was like a thunderclap. Cornelia's illness took her quickly, she succumbed to an aggressive and rare form of ovarian cancer. I don't think we ever parted on bad terms. I wish I would have heard that she was sick before she passed because I would have wanted to say thanks to her for making my daughter feel special that day on the bus.

I took some time today to read her section at carepages.com, and it was heartbreaking. Cornelia dedicated herself to AFSCME, and she will be missed by those who knew her. Somewhere, in a box of stuff, I have a picture of her from that time that I will post if I get the opportunity.

Doing a simple Google search brings up a lot about her passing.

• Oregon AFL-CIO
• Northwest Labor Press
• Oregon AFSCME
• Blue Oregon's tribute to Cornelia Murphy
• Oregon AFSCME's coverage of the Portland memorial service

My condolences to her friends and family.

bga

P.S. Donations are being taken by Take A Swing At Cancer, a non-profit organization that passes 100 percent of all donations to the family. Murphy and her family had previously announced that should there be any leftover funds, they will be donated to the Scleroderma
Foundation; Murphy’s mother suffered from scleroderma.

Cornelia Murphy Fund
c/o
Take A Swing At Cancer
P.O. Box 5245
Framingham, MA 01701

Rueben Martinez

I am so delighted that someone I know just received a great honor. I
have to tell someone! Rueben Martinez was just named a MacArthur
Fellow. Rueben was my barber when I lived in California
and was a friend and mentor.

How serendipitous! Congratulations Rueben!

Rueben Martinez
Bookseller
Owner and Founder
Libreria Martinez Books and Art Gallery
Santa Ana, California
Age: 64

Rueben Martinez has elevated bookselling from a business to a campaign in support of underserved populations in California and throughout America. His Santa Ana bookstore, Libreria Martinez Books and Art Gallery, was originally a barbershop and is now among the largest commercial sellers of Spanish-language books in the country, serving as the cornerstone of cultural events and community activities that promote the benefits of reading to Hispanic-Americans and Spanish-speaking immigrants. A co-founder of the Latino Book Festival (which now tours nationally), Martinez motivates Spanish-speaking people to value literature, to read for themselves, and to read to their children. The record number of enthusiastic adults and children drawn to Libreria Martinez makes the store a destination for leading bilingual and Latino authors. Acclaimed by educators and librarians throughout the country, Martinez’ unique brand of entrepreneurship and advocacy is an important complement to institutional and program efforts to enrich and anchor the lives of a large and growing population in America.

Rueben Martinez has been a professional barber and entrepreneur for more than forty years. In 1993, he founded Libreria Martinez Books and Art Gallery, a small business operating out of his barbershop. By 1999, the bookstore had expanded and moved into its own location, and, in 2001, he launched a second venue dedicated to children’s literature. Martinez is a founding member of Santa Ana’s Reading City Committee. In 1997, he helped develop the multi-city Latino Book Festival.

From his website:

Librería Martínez Books
and Art Gallery
1110 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 973-7900

The mission of Librería Martínez Books and Art Gallery is to promote Latino literature and art. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to inspire in schools and communities a greater appreciation for education, art and culture.

By showcasing top-notch regional, national and international Latino authors and artists, we are building a business which provides educational value to our society and fosters long-term relationships with customers and friends.

Here are two more links:

• http://uk.fc.yahoo.com/040929/46/f3kra.html


• http://www.theconnection.org/shows/2004/10/20041005_b_main.asp