(photos and text Dulcie Mills and Snow Scarmon)

It started with a message posted on Facebook on May 22 from a relative of Roberta Zerrahn (SL: Daisyblue Hefferman), that Roberta/Daisy was seriously ill in the hospital. There was a follow-up notice on the Librarians of Second Life Google group with more details; Daisyblue had suffered a massive stroke from which she was not expected to recover and her real life family had reached out to her SL friends on Facebook to let them know the sad news.  The next several days brought an outpouring of love and words of comfort and support, some including photos or links to YouTube videos featuring Roberta in her many roles in Second Life from builder to mentor, fashion consultant to storyteller, and mostly to the good friend and classy lady she was in both her real and second lives.

The happy memories along with get-well wishes that were posted to Daisyblue's Facebook wall were shared with Daisy in the hope that, even if they didn't inspire a miracle, she would at least receive some comfort from them.  Most touching of all were the messages sent by Krull Quar, a very close SL friend of Daisy's.  Krull, whose avatar is a black cat (Roberta loved cats and had several of her own in rl), worked on various projects with Daisy, including Land of Lincoln and Bradburyville.  Krull posted on Daisy's wall that he was with her in spirit and even posted a photo of himself in his cat form lying sadly with his paws over his face by Daisy's photos.

On Thursday, May 28, the librarian community in SL was informed of Daisy's passing by an email that Krull sent.  It gave the time and place of her death and simply said, "I am so very sorry."

On Friday, May 29, a relative of Daisy who'd recently joined SL as Pen321 Bluemood, spoke inworld to a few of Daisy's friends.  "I just came to tell everyone how each of your words on Facebook and other places helped my son and his wife so very much." she said. "It was a sad and a big surprise to us all."

On Saturday, May 30, Krull organized two memorial services in Second Life for Daisy.  The first, at 11 am SLT, coincided with the real life funeral mass.  The other, to accommodate those on later time zones, was given at 11 pm SLT.  There was also another service the following day just for Tiny's, as Daisy had also used a Tiny bunny as one of her avatars.

The 11 am service on Saturday was very well attended, with 45 avatars gathering around the beautiful memorial Krull had created to represent all of Daisy's interests and work in Second Life.  Pretty daisy pins that Krull had also created were distributed so that everyone could wear them in Daisy's memory.

Sonja Morgwain began the memorial in Voice with some poems and other words about Daisy.  At one point, her voice cracked as she spoke about her dear friend.  Krull spoke next and then storyteller Gilbert Sapwood, who told a beautiful story for the occasion.  Throughout the memorial, attendees also commented in text chat.  Many reminisced about their first meeting with Daisy.  Oronoque Westland said, "I met her soon after I first rezzed . . . We were meant to be friends, she said, because we shared the same RL name . . . She taught me to change avatars without being afraid."  "Daisy validated SL for me, " Adra Letov said.  "She treated it as a normal aspect of life, and I love that!"

Others spoke of Daisy’s many involvements in SL as a builder and storyteller.  "She was one of the founders of the WOI step dancers and one of the storytellers at the opening of the WOI library," Derry McMahon explained.  Many mentioned her work on the wonderful walk-in book, Fahrenheit 451 at Bradburyville, and her great contributions at Land of Lincoln.

About Daisy's character, people mentioned her style, helpfulness, sense of humor, and many talents.  "She is perhaps the perfect embodiment of what SL is all about -- brains, creativity, dedication, laughter, and friendship," Hollyjean Allen said.  Rocky Vallejo remembered her "whisky tenor voice."  Krull recalled fondly her love of felines.  "Daisy loved talking about her cats," he said,  On display at the memorial were photos of some of her real life cats.

Lorelei Junot also announced at the memorial that the new Smarter Money Island would be dedicated to Daisy in a few weeks with a brief remembrance.  "She was one of the most talented builders and creators I knew in SL," Junot said.

Besides the memorial Krull created and the wall in Heartsease Garden where CVL members are memorialized, there are other tributes to Daisy.  Fleet Goldenberg of Eduisland has decided to keep the Story House Exhibit Daisy created on Eduisland 9, open its doors, and place a dedication in the land information.  There is also a memorial garden created by the Tiny community in Heron Shire where Daisy had many friends.  In real life, a message and candle can be lit on the home page of Daisy's memorial from her funeral parlor.  Many of her Second Life friends have left messages there.

Links to Memorials and Websites:

Funeral Page with candle and messages http://luceyvanvoorhisfuneralhome.com/obituary_view/10008754

Heartsease Garden

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/117/177/33

Story House Exhibit

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eduisland%209/116/28/21/

Daisy's Memorial garden in Heron Shire http://slurl.com/secondlife/Heron%20Shire/155/45/21