The new banner image is also posted in the gallery (linked on the thumbnail) — it’s a cactus flower from the backyard at Marlin’s family home. It bloomed the day before his mom’s funeral last month. Marlin said the flowers are notoriously short-lived and sometimes only last a few hours, so I snapped some photos of it as soon as I had a chance. The funny thing, however, is that this flower looked just as beautiful the next day when friends and family were stopping by at the house after the funeral.
Marlin has posted her obituary over on his blog. As per her wishes, there was no viewing — the service featured simply her photo, some plants, lots of flowers, and a handful of the awards and citations she had received throughout the years. It was a beautiful display honoring a woman who had received accolades from the local community development association all the way up to the U.S. Senate. And I suspect the award from the local community improvement group meant more to her than the citations from mayors of Los Angeles and other famous names. But that is what so many people loved about Ethel May. Godspeed.
