Goodbye to Marianne Paton
To the editor,
This letter is to say goodbye to Pine Island’s own, Marianne Paton who will remain dear in our hearts forever. Marianne did a wonderful job as editor of the Pine Island Eagle. She connected the island’s residents to one another and to all of the fun and exciting activities that are available in our little paradise, as well as keeping us informed of important local news events. After enduring an unexpected amputation of the foot, and before her passing, these are her final and un-edited quotes that I have to share. Such an inspiration.
July 25th 6:14 pm “Saw the surgeon today and he was thrilled with progress and gave the final go ahead to go home wednesday WooHoo. thanks to the support from friends family and even strangers I get stronger every day. Love you all”
July 27th 9:46 a.m “Waiting on dr to sign off on my release to go home today. Now begins the next leg of an unfamiliar journey and learning to live life anew as a person who will need to relearn the whole mobility process but I have stuborn irish pride on my side.
July 29th 4:52 pm. “Back at home in Bokeelia safe and sound thanks to a limo ride provided by my dear friend Wayne. Can’t thank you enough darling you are a sweetheart for sure.”
July 31st 6:47 pm. “Monday is coming and time to get off my lazy butt and work toward my new tomorrow. Let the journey begin!”
August 7th, 4:53 pm. “Progress report: Went to dr on friday, he removed 25 staples but left many MANY gut stitches. He said we were now ready for the next step and tomorrow and woman will be here to start measuring for a shrinker and prosthetic. Sorry I haven’t updated sooner but one busy day takes me time to recover from.”
When I first began house hunting on Pine Island almost six years ago I also started conducting a series of African Drum & Dance Workshops, Dinner & Film events on the island to help offset travel expenses here, and to get to know the people on the island. Marianne graciously included my schedule of classes and published numerous articles about me. This warm welcome was greatly helpful to me, and to the residents who were looking for something new and exciting to do.
When I finally moved here to Saint James City almost three years later, I was able to transition nicely because I had already established a core group of students, friends and contacts who were just waiting for me to move here. She continued her enthusiastic support of my activities and one time even assigned someone else in her office to do a story about me while she was on vacation. Marianne actually called me one night and apologized for not doing the story personally, but mentioned that it was in my best interest to have the story run that particular week because quite a few of my programs were coming up soon and she didn’t want anyone to miss out on them just because she was on vacation!!
Marianne and I became friends on the internet and enjoyed several late night chats. She shared personal information with me about her wonderful family, and was quite excited to have me meet one of her sons (an attorney who once lived in Africa.) She was very proud and supportive of her family, their work and choices.
I thought it was so nice too that here she is the editor of a newspaper, yet she does pet sitting on the side. She loved these animals as her own and would post their photos on her FaceBook page!! I thought one of her pets had passed away at one time only to find out that it was actually a client’s pet, but she was quite disturbed about it, as if it were her own.
I also remember being in a gallery in Matlacha one day admiring a framed photo for sale of an eagle taking a bath in someone’s birdbath!! Then I noticed that it was signed by Marianne Paton as the photographer. She really had so much talent.
I had not heard from her in a while and then found out that she had been in the hospital. For something quite minor, as I understood she had bumped her foot or something but it was not getting better.
After I contacted her to see how she was doing she mentioned that her foot had been amputated. I inquired if it was diabetes and she said no, that it was a rare “blue toe syndrome.” She was quite matter of fact about the whole thing and not whining or complaining whatsoever. A great loss and my heart goes to her family as well.
A memorial is being planned for later in the year on Pine Island.
Ndakhte Ndiaye
Artistic Director
‘Drumming with Ndakhte’
St. James City