To Dick Fiore: I'm Signy (Stewart) Ellerton-Cale; when we were 15, we met in a private art class (Pete Burkard was there, too) and afterward, we'd walk over to the library to work on whatever "homework" we had(I particularly remember gathering leaves on the lawn and trying to arrange them "artistically" to draw for the next class...we had a good time in the class, and laughed a lot. I was new to Rome, and your kindness and easy manner made my transition so much better. I read the Sentinel online occasionally, and this evening, I saw your Dad's obituary, and I simply wanted to say how sorry I am. The passing of a parent is such a singular, jarring event, no matter how we may prepare for it. My Mom passed away in 2002, but my Dad is still with us, and we will always miss her. Your Dad must have been a particularly special guy to have raised, with your Mom, a wonderful family, including the cute 15 year old who helped me shed the "new kid in town" aura, and made me feel at home in Rome, too. I hope you are well, and that life has been good to you; I have no doubt you have a lovely family, which will help so much in this sad time. My best wishes and prayers for comfort go to you, Dick; it seems unbelievable that it's been 48 years since we gathered those leaves! Signy
