Tom Goldschmid

Looking ahead, there is a memorial service for Tom Goldschmid tomorrow at Westminster-West church. Tom had pancreatic cancer, which can be terribly painful. All the more amazing that his life partner, Kathy Leo, our long-standing Hallowell leader, could describe his death as "beautiful." Here is an excerpt from his obituary: "Tom died the way he lived, making choices throughout his journey with pancreatic cancer that always considered quality of life. He spent his last seasons doing the things he loved when he could. He continued to work with wood. He sketched and painted, and wrote prose and poetry in his journal. He spent time with friends. Most importantly, he spent time with his children and grandchildren as often as possible. He always showed up wherever his son was working on a building site or landscaping site to collaborate or just share lunch. And he dropped in on his daughter in the greenhouse or in the field at Walker Farm weekly. He loved his partner’s children and grandchildren as well. Being a grandfather was one of his greatest joys. There was no limit to Tom’s love. His love was inclusive and reached far into the community." Tom was an architect, a woodworker, a musician, among many other things. Not long before he died, he brought the chair I am sitting in - my recliner chair - in his pickup truck, from Bellows Falls to our house, and thanked me profusely for asking him for his help. He was a very special man. We will miss him very much, but his spirit is very much alive among us.

Tom Goldschmid (1949-2025)

Tom and Kathy.******************************** LATER The actual service was beautiful. Tom's family was there and many spoke and/or sang. Tom was bountifully honored and appreciated. There were more people packed into the church than I have ever seen!

The church as people were gathering.*********************** We got there early. I got to see people I haven't seen for years, even decades! People came up to speak to me I did not recognize, but they graciously let me know who they were.

Tim Merton was there to play the cello.

Jason Leo sang and spoke.********************************************** John and Cynthia came over on Monday for supper. We had a good visit. Otherwise, pretty quiet. Ellen has read aloud over 150 pages of Marilyn Robinson's Lila, which is an amazing "prequel" to Gilead.