It is with a heart full of sorrow that I tell you of the passing of Baroness Anne of Blackthorne. She recieved an unexpected diagnosis of Cancer less than 15 days ago. It was extremely aggressive and as of 7pm tonight, she has succumbed to it.

This amazing lady introduced me to the SCA, 20 years ago. She talked to a bookstore employee and invited her to the Tuesday meetings at the Thomas Center. She gave me my first piece of garb. She taught me about colored belts, strawberry leaves, titles and the fun of the Society. Penultimate teacher and friend. Her love of fiber arts shown through, inspiring so many others and gifted her with the title of Laurel. She was one half of the first same sex Baronial couple in Trimaris. Our cheerleading An Crosaire Baroness. She held many local offices including herald and chronicler and was Kingdom Art/Sci minister.

But more than that, she was the Sister of my Heart. I was her roommate more than once. The second time, I was rectifying a bad situation and turning my life in a different direction. She was my safety net; I knew I would never be homeless or go hungry with her at my back. She married my husband and me, renewed her notary just for us. She was the Godmother to my Son. I trusted that if we were to pass away, Anne of Blackthorne would be a guiding force for Lysander. She was the best yardsale buddy, the best roadtrip companion to events. I was her liquid sunshine. She was my best friend. I will miss you so very, very much.

As I know all of you do too. When we can safely gather together, we will celebrate the life of Baroness Anne of Blackthorne/Amy Carpus.

Baroness Thassia Hellenis, OP

You see, Anne Blackthorne was sick and never knew it. She had no symptoms until she treated back pain and cancer was found and it was systemic. It happens this way sometimes. Amy Carpus had a shitty back from crawling around in attics and her doctor told her that she had bone spurs on her spine (which sucks) to lose some weight (which she wanted to, we all want to), the body gets older (because we are not the age we used to be) and maybe not crawl in attics anymore (which she would have been ok with).

She had only 11 days between the cancer being found and her passing tonight. She kept the information close because it is a shitty year and no one can visit anyone and it is the holidays and she didn't want anyone to feel terrible for that. She wanted to be remembered as Amy, as Anne and not as a cancer patient. She was so private about so very many things.

I have lived with people dying of cancer in their final year, been a care taker for friends and family, I have now worked at a cancer hospital and research center for several years and I can tell you this- the sudden shock, the aching loss, the space in our hearts and lives where she was... it will take us a long time to get through, but we will manage it- together. However we will not watch our Amy be ravaged by disease and medicine that would just grant her some more time. We will remember her in snapshot as we saw her last. Likely laughing, probably screwing around with thread that she magically transmuted into art.

We are all of us lucky to have known her, as she was a remarkable woman and the likes of her are rare indeed. Her sharp mind, her biting wit, her abiding joy in the arts and in teaching, the endless depth of love for her friends, her bright eyes when she met a new art or a new person, the look of peace on her face as she walked along a Florida roadside where wildflowers grew and shew could stop to savor a bloom.... remember that Amy and hold her in your hearts.

Know that she loved us all fiercely and was certain that she was loved in return. She had no doubts. No fears otherwise. She knew we loved her and we would each keep a part of her. When we come together in our shared love or grief, some day when we can gather again, we bring all of those pieces of her together too.

She is in all of us. We carry her forward. We are her immortality.

Rest ye well and merry, my friend of so many years. I will see you often, in every unlikely patch of wildflowers which brings me a smile.

Baroness Maol Mide ingen Medra, OL, OP