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A Dame Named Lanore
Our community recently lost a vital soul whose middle name was Lanore. Sometimes the title 'Dame,' is viewed in a derogatory manner. I prefer a more elegant and historical definition: "the official title of a woman of rank." Katherine Lenore Robertson Howard Young, was certainly a "woman of rank" to many former students, friends and family.
I never knew that Katherine's middle name was Lanore, until I read her obituary. Immediately, I was reminded of Edgar Allan Poe's poem of the same title. A career English teacher, I suspect Katherine would have loved the comparison of her name to the poem, and my use of the term 'Dame,' as well. A Poe line from the poem says best what so many feel about Katherine Lenores' passing.... "From grief and groan, to a golden throne, beside the King of Heaven."
On the Ferry Funeral Home web site, there is a place to submit condolences to the family when someone you know has passed. There was an overwhelming submission of such responses from former students of Katherine's. As is so often the case with an impactful teacher, she held a special spot in the hearts and minds of so many.
Although Katherine was not one of my former NHS R-5 English teachers, she was somewhat of a muse for me, during these past 17 plus years that I have been writing this weekly column. She was on a special email address list of people, to whom I sent each and every column. Over and over again during this period, she was a cheerleader in support of my meager efforts. Each time I would see her, she always reinforced my ego with praise, saying, "Oh Richard, (she always used my given first name, not the 'Carp' nickname I am most known for) I just loved that last column you wrote."
Not only was her praise welcomed, but each time I saw the sincerity upon that lovely face, it was as if I were being given a special prize. The woman, Katherine Lanore, was a striking lady to behold. Even in her later years of life, she seemed to retain an effortless beauty. It was more than just her physical presentation, however. There was something within her being that included several attributes.
When she smiled at me, there was a mix of different expressions. It always seemed like she was privy to something about me that no one else knew. That was, I decided, her 'knowing' smile.
She also had a bit of the coquette about her as well. The definition of coquette is: "a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection." I can testify that I have heard from countless men who were her students in high school. All of them say much the same thing. Many felt they were actually a bit in love with her back then. There was just something about her that was different from the other teachers. Few, if any, young teenage boys like English, but Katherine's class was a whole different matter.
Another expression that you instinctively discerned from Katherine, was that of steadfastness and organization. In the past few years, she used the same organizing talents she had developed during her years as a teacher and as a member of many clubs to plan a monthly event known as 'First Fridays.'
Having been a widow twice in her life, Katherine knew how difficult it was to be involved in social activities when you were a single person. On the first Friday of each month, she invited a collection of people who were not married or in a relationship to join her for cocktails and dinner.
At her invitation, I stopped by a few times to visit with her circle of 'First Friday's' friends. The group took on the personality of Katherine. It was always lively and laughter filled the room. If you were around the 'Dame' I knew as Katherine Lanore, you learned early on that she loved to, as the old saying goes, "make merry" with her friends.
I did not know Katherine's children very well, but I was a good friend to her second husband, Harold 'Dink' Young. Dink was a robust, outgoing man. He was full of life and very demonstrative. Most of all, he was madly and totally in love with Katherine. He could be a bit ornery around the guys, but the minute she was present, he acted the part of a total 'saint!'
Dink suffered through a protracted decline of health in the last few years of his life. As she did with every other task that life had presented to her, Katherine was his steadfast caregiver during this painful period. Nothing says more about a person's character than the way they behave during such a time of stress. She handled it with a grace that most of us only hope we could duplicate.
Yes, Lanore has left us, but she leaves behind a storehouse of memories and education. Teachers like Katherine Lanore are rare individuals who inspire generations within a community.
On Facebook, John Flynn posted a picture of Katherine taken around May of this year. He and Dave Cherry are in the picture with Katherine. Both of these guys are two of the most gregarious (fond of the company of others, sociable) people I know. As you can see in the picture, they were happily in Katherine's orbit of society.
Katherine Lanore was a Dame, a lady, a beautiful woman, a friend and perhaps most importantly, a teacher. She will be missed, but I can assure you, whenever friends meet, they will tell stories about the 'Dame' they knew as Katherine Lanore. I will miss my friend and my secret editor!