Dear Colleen:

Terribly sorry to hear the news.  Jimmy was a fine human being whom I admired and respected deeply.  He was a fighter for social justice, like everyone else in his family.  That he only survived your dad by two years is unbelievable.

I have forwarded your message to Robin . . . .  I’m sure she will be as shocked as I am although I did know about his illness (found out about it at the memorial service for your mom).  As you say, the pain has gone away for Jim although our own pain is only beginning.

Death of a loved one is never easy but it’s up to you to carry on the Eldridge family’s activist tradition now, along with Jimmy’s children.  Teach your children well and let that be part of our legacy (the Berkeley generation of the Sixties) so that the world one day will come to understand who held on best to deeply cherished democratic and working class traditions when times were tough.

Let us pass on our knowledge and experiences to the next generation that they in turn may carry forward the struggle to make America a land of equality and justice for all.  In Jimmy’s memory, I wish you all the best.
With love,
Roger

PS  By coincidence, a colleague at work asked me if I wished to sponsor her?  She’s taking part in a cancer-research-and-memorial run (with sunset ceremony) for a high school south of San Francisco.  She’s a professor of history and ethnic studies, one of about 20-25 Chicana PhDs in the U.S., and a runner (couple of marathons under her belt).  She will light a “luminaria” as well.

I gave her the name of Jimmy Eldridge just yesterday.  The run is this Saturday, May 18th.  It is to remember those who died of cancer, or are sick with it now, and to raise money for more research and raise public awareness.

Although it surely is only some small consolation to you, Jimmy’s only sister, while you are dealing with such a deep grief, I want you to know that on one small field at one small high school in a town south of San Francisco, a luminaria will be burning bright in Jimmy’s name.

I cannot say more, I am overcome with tears, sorry.