Randi Korn posted this in the Wheatley Alumni Newsletter in November 2018.
On October 13th, 2018, the world lost Leonore Gordon, an activist; caring, loyal friend; fighter for those who did not have the wherewithal to fight for themselves; emotionally brilliant therapist; and poet; and I lost a dear, long-time friend. There are many layers to grief, and it will take considerable time for those layers to expose themselves. Over time, I suppose, all of us who loved Lee will continue to explore those layers, as she would gently push us to do. I will miss her positive outlook, even as adversity stared down at her. I always wondered how she was able to maintain her positive attitude, and for now, I have concluded that the fighter in her gave her momentum, always forward, always with hope, and always with the belief that something good will emerge, if we push and continue pushing. In these hard times for our country, I will push for change on her behalf, always thinking of her as I venture into territories that I typically avoid. Lee deserves my efforts.
The one thing that keeps emerging in my mind is the children in NYC who will not have the opportunity to experience one of Lee’s poetry workshops. When Lee worked with kids, her emotional intelligence morphed into a magician-like soul. Immediately, upon entering a classroom, Lee became their trusted friend; she helped them find their inner passions and the words to express them. I can see her asking them questions that no one ever bothered to ask, and those questions helped the students carefully craft lovely and meaningful prose. After the workshops ended, Lee would create a book of their poems and share it as widely as she could. Imagine how important the students felt upon seeing a book of their poems. Leonore also shared the books with her friends, and I was fortunate to be a regular recipient. While Leonore was always so proud of her students, I was always so proud of her. To all those children who will not experience the magic of Leonore Gordon, I am so sorry for your loss. I am also sorry for Myra, her wife; Josh, her son; and her two sisters, Mimi and Jojo.
I tried really hard to remember Leonore calling me by my given name, Randi. Maybe one of you, my classmates, can recall. I sign this by the name Leonore called me for as long as I can recall; Lee, I will miss you forever.
During the years I attended Wheatley High I pretty much flew Solo Lobo. During that time observing my scholastic surroundings and it’s occupants were inspiring. I do remember Leonore being petite in stature but made up for it with her moxy intensity. She always stood her ground when presented with a debate. And what a vocabulary. There were a few times I was in the same class as Leonore and remember being in designated groups by the teacher for discussions of a topic or a class project. Leonore’s logical thinking, ability to see the larger picture and finding the most efficient ways of getting from point A to point B we’re light years ahead of most. I just remember saying WOW to myself. I also remember her being a stickler for punctuality. She wore a watch with a leather strap that she would glance at every few minutes and begin packing up on cue precisely before the bell rang for her next class. She was wicked smart and if her adultself was anything like her high school years I know she gave her all in anything she was passionately involved with. Even though I did not have the classmate friendship with her outside school as some of her closer friends did, I remember her clearly and knew she had that spark in her for great achievements. For those that were more intimately connected I am sorry for your loss.
Nancy Dreyer
Randi Korn posted this in the Wheatley Alumni Newsletter in November 2018.
On October 13th, 2018, the world lost Leonore Gordon, an activist; caring, loyal friend; fighter for those who did not have the wherewithal to fight for themselves; emotionally brilliant therapist; and poet; and I lost a dear, long-time friend. There are many layers to grief, and it will take considerable time for those layers to expose themselves. Over time, I suppose, all of us who loved Lee will continue to explore those layers, as she would gently push us to do. I will miss her positive outlook, even as adversity stared down at her. I always wondered how she was able to maintain her positive attitude, and for now, I have concluded that the fighter in her gave her momentum, always forward, always with hope, and always with the belief that something good will emerge, if we push and continue pushing. In these hard times for our country, I will push for change on her behalf, always thinking of her as I venture into territories that I typically avoid. Lee deserves my efforts.
The one thing that keeps emerging in my mind is the children in NYC who will not have the opportunity to experience one of Lee’s poetry workshops. When Lee worked with kids, her emotional intelligence morphed into a magician-like soul. Immediately, upon entering a classroom, Lee became their trusted friend; she helped them find their inner passions and the words to express them. I can see her asking them questions that no one ever bothered to ask, and those questions helped the students carefully craft lovely and meaningful prose. After the workshops ended, Lee would create a book of their poems and share it as widely as she could. Imagine how important the students felt upon seeing a book of their poems. Leonore also shared the books with her friends, and I was fortunate to be a regular recipient. While Leonore was always so proud of her students, I was always so proud of her. To all those children who will not experience the magic of Leonore Gordon, I am so sorry for your loss. I am also sorry for Myra, her wife; Josh, her son; and her two sisters, Mimi and Jojo.
I tried really hard to remember Leonore calling me by my given name, Randi. Maybe one of you, my classmates, can recall. I sign this by the name Leonore called me for as long as I can recall; Lee, I will miss you forever.
Kornball
Ramona Stendardi
During the years I attended Wheatley High I pretty much flew Solo Lobo. During that time observing my scholastic surroundings and it’s occupants were inspiring. I do remember Leonore being petite in stature but made up for it with her moxy intensity. She always stood her ground when presented with a debate. And what a vocabulary. There were a few times I was in the same class as Leonore and remember being in designated groups by the teacher for discussions of a topic or a class project. Leonore’s logical thinking, ability to see the larger picture and finding the most efficient ways of getting from point A to point B we’re light years ahead of most. I just remember saying WOW to myself. I also remember her being a stickler for punctuality. She wore a watch with a leather strap that she would glance at every few minutes and begin packing up on cue precisely before the bell rang for her next class. She was wicked smart and if her adultself was anything like her high school years I know she gave her all in anything she was passionately involved with. Even though I did not have the classmate friendship with her outside school as some of her closer friends did, I remember her clearly and knew she had that spark in her for great achievements. For those that were more intimately connected I am sorry for your loss.