Klarinet Archive - Posting 000134.txt from 2004/12

From: "dnleeson" <dnleeson@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] On the matter of the death of Fred Fennell
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 13:36:29 -0500

It is with the permission of Cathy Fennell Martensen that I
forward this note.

From: Cathy Fennell Martensen
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 10:37 AM
Subject: Fred Fennell

I've managed to reach some of you by phone, others not, and I did
not want to leave this as a voice message.

I want you, and the greater music community to know that my
father died peacefully in his sleep early this morning, Tuesday,
December 7, 2004. Elizabeth and I were by his side. I had
promised him that I would do all I could to get him back to
Siesta Key so he could watch the sun set over the ocean. With
the help of Hospice, he arrived home in time to see the brilliant
orange and pinks in the western skies last evening. A bit before
Midnight, dad told me he was "frustrated and disappointed." When
I asked him, "Why?" he replied, "There's no drummer here yet. I
can't die without a drummer!" I told him that I loved him, and
that "Heaven's best drummer was on the way." Moments later he
said, "I hear him! I hear him! I'm OK now."

This was my final conversation with my dad.

I was blessed to be able to dress my father in his finest set of
tails after he died, complete with the usual struggle with his
tie. Elizabeth asked if he could be "dressed up" and I could
think of nothing finer for a lasting memory. Dad asked to be
cremated and that I scatter his ashes in the woods at
Interlochen, Michigan this summer. This, of course, I will do.

Elizabeth is OK at this point. We are closely watching her,
monitoring her blood sugar levels and seeing that she gets the
diet and rest she needs after such a life transition.

There will be a small Memorial Service at a church in Siesta Key.
No date or time has been set yet. As knowledge of my father's
death is communicated, please keep both Elizabeth and me in your
prayers.

Fondly

Cathy Fennell Martensen

Feel free to forward this email.

Dan Leeson
DNLeeson@-----.net

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