08/24/2026
THE BACK STORY
Some of you may have noticed my prolonged absence from Social Media. Yes, I have traveled, and yes, I had/have a disaster in the house I will be selling, but more importantly, I have been busy with doctors' appointments and infusions, etc. After Arnie died, I was lucky to find another wonderful man, Art Lituchy, who lived a mere 35 minutes south of me, and build a fulfilling life together as POSSLQs. He was successfully treated for B-cell, non-Hodgkins Lymphoma last spring, but when we went back for the follow-up PET scan, another form of the disease had attached itself to his heart. Infusions didn't work, and the disease advanced aggressively. He died in the early morning of the 22nd, his head leaning against mine, quietly, and pain free, just as he had wished.
We had known each other a mere 10 months, but we had enjoyed many adventures and fun times in that brief time. Art's friends and mine said we were made for each other and came into each other's lives at the right time. We were robbed but had put together a beautiful home. A lot of that fell to me, as we wanted Art to conserve his strength to fight the lymphoma.
Our friends welcomed and celebrated the love and happiness we had found. There was the wonderful trip to Tuluum with my daughters to celebrate my big eight-0; there were plans to head to Cuba that were cancelled because of our administration's ill-advised approaches to international politics; and between, wine tastings and dinners with friends in Hillsborough and Pittsboro, a big community Mardi Gras party, a smaller one that we put on, season tickets to Playmakers; my annual Mudseason Madness Potluck Melee; an unforgettable trip to Europe ... Taormina where these photographs were made, Paris, and then Normandy with my BFF and her SO. There were also quiet evenings watching one of our favorite series or movies on Netflix, dancing in the living room. Cup-A-Joe was still there, and I would drive up to Hillsborough to see my buddies and work to pack up my house for a few hours. There was much,, much more, including the Annual BCPA Reunion, but by then Art had started to lose strength. He was able to join the reunion's first night in a local restaurant, then enjoyed the chatter and merriment from his snoozing spot on the sofa for the rest of the weekend.
Art will be missed by many people in our community. He was an extraordinary man, a volunteer of the first order, and always willing to help an individual or organization. He had a ready smile along with mischievous blue, blue eyes that always twinkled.. He had built many wonderful bird houses and created sculptures made from cedar branches ... The brothers rescuing a bird. Huck fishing in tropical waters, and many more. Art was a real people person, making easy connections and lasting friendships. Family was very important to him, and I was honored that they accepted me so quickly.
I miss him terribly while knowing he is in a better place. Farewell,my dear, dear Art.
