Posted by chicagomedia.org on December 19, 2008 at 07:20:09:
One-year anniversary and a thank you
December 18, 2008
On Dec. 28, 2007, Chicago lost its self-proclaimed "local treasure," Terry Armour, and I lost my treasured husband. In the year since his death, I have witnessed an outpouring of emotion that I could never have imagined.
To the thousands who attended his wake and funeral service, I thank you with all my heart. I may not remember shaking your hand, but please know I appreciate your presence there.
To the family, friends, and fans who wrote online condolences, I sincerely thank you. My broken heart is still warmed by your beautiful tributes.
To Terry's colleagues at the Tribune and the former WCKG radio station, thank you for being there in force to do whatever you could to help and support me.
To my colleagues at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and former colleagues at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Ravinia Festival, I appreciate your kindness more than you will ever know.
To the hundreds who joined me on a perfect afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field to celebrate Terry's birthday on Sept. 22, thank you; it meant the world to me.
To our closest friends and neighbors, I am still awestruck at how you have made it a priority to take care of me. I love you all.
To my mother-in-law, Elaine Armour, thank you for sharing your eldest son with me. You trusted me to be good to him and make him happy. I did my very best.
To my parents, Ernie and Nellie Essary, I have no words to express my gratitude. You drop everything at any minute when I need you. And I need you a lot.
Many people still tell me that even though they never met Terry, they feel as if they knew him personally. If you ever read one of his columns, listened to him on the radio, or saw him on television, you did know him. He was exactly the same at home, at work, and at play: a razor-sharp, quick-witted, passionate, hysterically funny, glorious man-child with a heart of pure gold. I love him more than life, and I send my deepest gratitude to everyone who loved him too.
--LaNell Essary Armour
Chicago
(Chicago Tribune)