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Michael,

I just checked in on your blog and saw the news about Dara. I am very sorry for your loss---more than I can say.

She touched my life as well. Don't know if I ever told you what happened on 9/11. I was mesmerized and shellshocked from events that transpired that day. To the mixed feelings regarding all, Blackhawk helicopters wereh overing over my house. I don't know if I ever mentioned I lived literally 150 yards or so right up the hill from an active military installation, so the choppers came on active duty. Then, a frantic phone call from a friend whose sister worked in Manhattan downtown. Jeff could not locate her, and, being blind, could not really "see" the devastation that was taking place on the tube. In an age where so much is blown out of proportion in the media, I am sure you can understand. He was off from work that day, so there was no one around to ask. At about 3 pm, my doorbell rang. A little dazed and confused, I answered. It was FedEx with a delivery of a package of Omaha Steaks and associated treats. It was from Dara. I laughed and cried a little. It was a pleasant highlight in an otherwise very woeful day. You may remember I would never take any money from her for doing the darasarts website, so that is why the gift was sent.

I went over to Jeff's house that evening armed with a couple of steaks and a chocolate cake that came in the package. We had a nice meal. I made some calls to a couple of people in Manhattan. All the cell networks etc were jammed or at least partially down. But I did get info about where the really "bad" areas were. So Jeff calmed a little. Finally about 9 pm his sister got a call out. All was well with her except for a few bruises in the rush trying to get a train out.

On such a devastating day, Dara was an incredible light. It was not the gift, it was not the cost of the gift (enormous!), but it was the kindness in her doing it. In remembrance of the events of that dark day, that one small light will always shine.

Tears and Smiles,

april

May 31, 2006

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My most impressive memory of Dara was of her climbing the stairs to your apartment on Sunset. I have often thought of her in recent years when I've wanted to just quit. She was an inspiration. I never got the chance to tell her that...

Serena
May 30, 2006

In Memoriam

I got the phone call yesterday while the trucks were being loaded.

Dara passed away Friday night, May 26th.

I lived with Dara McLaughlin in the early 1990’s, and she changed my life.

I learned a great deal from her, all the way up until our last conversation, most of which does not transfer well into words. The best way I can describe her gift to me is that she modeled and encouraged a style of living that was not simply striving for excellence, but to do so with grace and dignity; with class.

Dara was also possessed of superb social intelligence, and boundless interest in the lives of others that was rooted in loving compassion. She had a way of making everyone feel welcomed into her world.

No matter how long you may know the end is coming, it still feels like a surprise. I still had hope that she would recover, and that there would be more “Darasarts,” more books written, more art made…

I will miss her more than I can say.