This morning I woke up and checked facebook to find some of the saddest news I have had in a really long time, another dear friend from Annapolis, my dear friend Zoe Pantelides passed away in Tucson. This makes me sad for so many reasons but mostly because I know she wasn't in good health the last several years of her life and I can only imagine how difficult things must have been for her. She was not more than ten years older than me and we had so many things in common:
- We were both Aquarians through and through and proud of it
- We spent a lifetime being single, not necessarily by choice but because of circumstances and a propensity for choosing addicts as partners
- Early days in Annapolis living on Maryland Avenue
- Both well-loved by Professor Richard Crowley, a wise and wonderful friend with aspirations to more than friendship, especially in Zoe's case!
- A tendency to see things with an artistic and imaginative eye and a love for beautiful clothing
- We shared an interest in meditation and Eastern religions
- We both had our share of financial troubles over the years
Zoe, however, had unique qualities that differentiated us completely:
- She was always and forever slender and elegant
- She had the most amazing cheekbones due to her Greek heritage
- She knew how to roll cigarettes as effortlessly and elegantly as she did everything else
- She was an accomplished graphic and visual artist: Zoe's Website (where you can find some of her artwork)
- She was a native Annapolitan who took the brave and outrageous step of hitting the road and eventually moving to Tucson!
In truth, I was a bit in awe of her from day one.
But she proved herself to be a true and loyal friend to me in so many ways.
In the early days of her sobriety she came to visit me in the St. John's College Bookstore, where I was working at the time, telling me that she was craving a drink. In response, I said something profound, such as, "Really?" She always laughed about that! She may have been expecting a more nuanced reply, but it didn't surprise me one bit that she wanted to drink. Happy to say, she didn't that day and many more days after that!
Door to the St. John's Bookstore
Today I had a craving for a cigarette like I haven't had in a long time. It would be really nice to numb out right now, but that is not an option for me and thank God I know it!
I am sad because the only photo I have of us together is locked away in my storage unit in Northern Virginia... we are both standing on the corner of Duke of Gloucester street and Conduit street, in front of the First Presbyterian Church. She, looking slim and elegant and smoking a cigarette and me, well let's just say... I'm looking young! Yes, we were young and we supported each other and we stuck together! Those were really good times!
Annapolis in the Evening
After I moved to Alexandria in 1994, naturally I did not see as much of my Annapolis friends, including Zoe. I knew she was doing graphic art and even did some work for Trader Joe's for awhile. The recession hit hard and she was struggling to keep afloat with her art work. When I found out she was hitting the road in search of warmer climes, I was very worried for her but also a little jealous. At that time I was in a responsible position at my school in Alexandria, but truthfully not enjoying it that much. I was amazed to hear of her adventures on the road and hoping that she would land successfully. And eventually she did! She found support so that she could do her art and she made a place in Tucson. The sad thing was her health wasn't good enough for her to continue.
I don't know all the details but I will always admire her courage, her sense of humor, and her determination. Her style and her grace. I will miss you dear friend!
Zoe's photo of the Florida sunset
