author: avesbirder
Hello all.
It is with great sadness in my heart that I make the first post in this journal. I had hoped when I made this journal last month that I wouldn't have to make the first post for some time.
As stated in the "All About Me" section, anyone can post to this journal. I know we all have special memories of Kestrel923. I don't know if the Obituary for Kes will allow for pictures, but you may post them here. And please do no think that you are limited to only one posting. You may post as many times as you'd like. I have posted a couple of pictures that I have of her on a birding trip.
Lastly, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PASS THIS JOURNAL ALONG!
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10 comments:
My name is Dave and I met Hst Kestrel on one night in the birding room. Kes/ Leni was one of the very good host that the birding room had. She cared about who you where in her chat hour. Here is to a friend may you rest in peace and my you fly with the rest of us in the birding chat room
I've known this was a possibility for awhile now but I'm shocked and dumbstruck just the same. I can't express my sorrow at the loss of this amazing woman. I got to meet Doc and Leni when they (she, Doc was just the driver) came to middle Ga to spend a week of birding with me as guide. I spent a wonderful few days with them before they had to return home.
I can't find any pictures I had of her unfortunately. My brain knows she's gone but my heart hasn't caught up yet. Nothing can compare to the sorrow I feel.
Walter
Browserbo/Peregrin 200mph
I forgot one thing. Something to remember Leni by for me anyway. Leni was the only person ever to see a Surf Scoter in a national wildlife preserve we have here. She made quite a few lists with that sighting!
Walter
Hi Everyone, Cheepers here. Where do you begin when talking about a great like Leni? What a friend we had in Leni! What a leader, teacher, person, and most important, birder. I met Leni around 13 or 14 years ago, just finding ABE on AOL. Click in and there she was. I remember her talking to me like she had known me all her life. And was I a beginner! Right then and there, she had a challenge in me. But she did her job, and she did it great. I have been a birder since her first hello. She always had time for anyone, even though she had a couple hundred e-mails to read and respond to. We were never to much for her to handle. And when good friends got together to go birding in her territory, her door was always open to us all. Even if she had never met us before. If we loved birds, Leni loved us.
Krestel, you are free to fly now. Fly with old friends that have left us before, and wait for us to join you. Krestel, your bird count was high in the hundreds, but you can't imagine your friend count. It was to high to imagine, and we all loved you. Thank you for talking to me a week ago. You can't believe how much that meant to me.
From one bird to another....."Cheepers" my friend! (Kathy)
On our way to Fla. last year I got to meet Leni. Ilse, Leni and her friend Pat met us in Winchester VA. Even though I had known Kes in the birders Chat, it was so nice to put a face and personality with the screen name. We shared many things. Married about the same time, had the same # of birth children, etc.
The Birders Chat will never be the same without her, but we must keep it going to honor her Memory.
Soar with the eagles Leni. Eagles may be bigger, but Kestrels are faster and more agile.
Love to her family, from ours.
Marilyn and George Mitrecic
mandm0521
I first stumbled into the birding chatroom in 1998, after I saw a bird I had trouble IDing. Leni helped me ID it. When I left that night, Leni told me to come back. I did and never left. Ever since that night, she has been dear friend to me. Without question, she was the heart and soul of the online birding community. But more than that, she was a special lady. She would listen to any problem, and would always give advice. I was fortunate enough to meet her on 5 cybirder trips. The birding was great, but being with Leni was greater. She really was a great friend, and I can't say that enough. I will truly miss her. Rest in peace friend.
CardinalCharles
Feels like a part of my being was cut from me. Leni's spirit was so vital , so vivacious, so unique,and so caring that even those of us who were not central characters in her life felt totally impacted by her being. While she may be gone from this world as we know it, Leni's energy will blossom in every bird trip I ever take. And her deadpan delivery of those puns will forever circle in my mind.
What a loss.
Andi Henig AKA ANDY5655
I was never fortunate enough to meet Leni in person. I think I am just about the last one that has been with the bird forum from the start. I can't believe how many years it has been. Leni always made everyone feel comfortable and that you belonged. Whether you were a shy or outgoing person or novice or expert birder.She always made the chats enjoyable, fun and always full of information.
For me I will always remember how she would always be the first one to laugh at something silly I would say, since I am on the quiet side . I think she would a kick out of it when I had my moments. Leni was a very special person and I will surely miss her as everyone will. And as a few I believe have already said I think she will always be looking over us in the chatroom and evjoying the conversations and hearing of all of our bird sightings.
Kathy/KathyM8162/ ChattyKathyM8162
I am sorrowful and thoughtful at this time. I don't know if I knew Kes online or not. I was a Edu coach, Host and messageboard instructor form 2000 until AOL discontinued their CL program. I do know that anyone that was a part of the Community Leader Program was GOOD people. I am saddened when good people leave us. But I have high hopes that good people, Like Kes and uncounted others will rewarded with an afterlife of extreme happiness. We will meet again! God bless Kes' family and God bless all AOL CL's.
I "met" Leni about 14 or so years ago when I found the chat room on my computer. Kes was so helpful and friendly and fun--I soon knew I was not talking to a computer but to real friends. A few years later we met for real when she came to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. What a fun few days of birding we had! I always think of Kes when I hear a Tropical Kingbird or see a Green Parakeet and laugh at the adventure of trying to track down our local birds. We were quizzed by both Border Patrol agents and local policemen who thought three little ladies were suspicious wandering the backroads by the border!
Kes, I hope you are birding in heaven. Your life touched so many. What I love best about birding is not birds but birders--and that's saying a lot.
Love, Kay Baughman (MKayB)
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