Comments on: In memoriam: Laraine Wilkins

By: M. Whitney

M. Whitney — Mon, 07 May 2007 05:43:07 +0000

Someone, please e-mail me with the address for the trust concerning her daughter; as well as her daughter’s current condition. I met Laraine our freshman year at BYU in the fall of 1983. She was in my family home evening group. I saw as she was captured by the imagination of the Honors Colloquium and begin her career in literary criticism and her foray in the depth of Mormon Culture. There is more to say. None of it helpful.
MDW

By: William Morris

William Morris — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 01:15:22 +0000

Thanks you all for your thoughts. I decided to clear out my Gmail drafts folder just now.

I found a draft of an e-mail to Laraine.

I didn’t have anything but a professional, e-mail-based relationship with Laraine. But even at that removed level, her enthusiasm, clarity and warmth shone.

There will always be at least one draft in my e-mail folder.

By: Diana Powers

Diana Powers — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:38:01 +0000

I knew Laraine when she was living in the Boston area, just after she left Harvard. We shared a Labor Day weekend vacation with friends in Kinnebunkport, Maine. I just found out last night about the accident and I still can’t believe it. Laraine was a brilliant, creative, authentic person with immense talent. I will always remember her fondly. Peace be with you, Laraine.

By: Harry Heightman

Harry Heightman — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:39:46 +0000

In August, Laraine joined a group of singers preparing a 9-11 memorial performance of Mozart’s Requiem. We spend only a few weeks preparing for this program and rehearsals are quite intense so we unfortunately don’t get to know each other very well. Nonetheless, we feel the loss and have dedicated the program to Laraine.

Harry Heightman
director, 9-11 Memorial Chorus and Orchestra

By: Angela Hallstrom

Angela Hallstrom — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:22:05 +0000

Having worked with Laraine on Irreantum for the last couple of years, I can say that she was incredibly intelligent, extremely kind, and thoughtful in every sense of the word. I still can’t believe that she’s gone. Her influence and example will be sorely missed.

By: Gideon Burton

Gideon Burton — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 00:09:07 +0000

The memorial service for Laraine which was held today in Salt Lake City revealed a person who lived life deliberately and passionately. It was a privilege to know her. Her former husband read one of Laraine's poems at a small gathering after the service, and it is a shame that it is sometimes only after someone is gone that we see the strength and power of their art. Happily, there are efforts underway to gather her poetry into a chapbook. I updated her biography on the Mormon Literature Database today, and if anyone would like to read some of her poetry, follow the link at the top of her page. Thanks for the lovely tribute, which will surely be followed by others'.

By: Jeanne Foreman

Jeanne Foreman — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 22:16:33 +0000

I also worked with Laraine at Dynix, and she always impressed me as a brilliant, thoughtful and inclusive woman. I enjoyed her company and our conversations very much, and my heart goes out to Lena and her family.

By: Jeff Olsen

Jeff Olsen — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 19:22:08 +0000

I worked with Laraine for many years at Dynix. She and I had a wonderful understanding and a true friendship– that is how Laraine was. I cant tell you how awful I feel about this tragic loss, the world just wont be the same without her.

By: Curtis Davis

Curtis Davis — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 23:11:13 +0000

I drop by her house and move
the cans back in their place
her car in the drive
the porch light on
sun burning late afternoon

the tomatoes I gave her this spring
planted late
still green on the vine
too soon for harvest
O Laraine, why have you gone!

C.C. Davis

By: Cynthia L. Hallen

Cynthia L. Hallen — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 22:24:49 +0000

I just received an email with the news of Laraine and Lena’s accident. “The unpretension stuns” said Dickinson in a eulogy for her father. My condolences to all of her friends, family members, and colleagues.

Cynthia_Hallen@byu.edu