My library colleague and friend Locke Morrisey has died of cancer. Here is what will no doubt be an inadequate tribute.
Locke preceded me as President of the Northern California and Nevada Medical Librarians Group of MLA, and I greatly admired his determination to visit all corners of our far-flung region. Over time I also grew to appreciate his love of sports and his zany Facebook postings.
Last year many people gathered around me as I was struggling with the divorce. My first blog post on the topic was on Feb 27, 2009, which was my 8th wedding anniversary. This post drew many comments, including one from Locke:
"Marcus=You are pretty incredible to be so open, reflective and responsive. We're glad you feel like the SF Bay Area is a place where can put down roots. I hope you find your writing and your discussions with friends to be therapeutic for you during this time. We are all thrilled to have you as a friend first and colleague as well. Cheers."
At this point I didn't know Locke that well, but with that comment I knew he was someone I could confide in. And so I'd reach out to him on Facebook chat during that lonely spring, and went down to San Mateo for dim sum with Locke and family and friends last summer. We kept in touch off and on throughout the next year, as my world re-centered and everything seemed fine in Locke's.
His cancer struck fiercely and mercilessly, from just last July to December. He used Facebook to share stories and seek solace, and never gave up hope that recovery was possible. The last time I saw him was in September, at his home in Foster City. He asked me to get a prescription for him, the only time I've ever had to do that for anyone. This task, for whatever reason, caused the severity of the situation to sink in for me. Locke was weak but in good spirits, and very congratulatory about my engagement with Pi Wen. At the time he was planning to return to work later in September.
Although it's a cliche, it's nonetheless true that none of us know how many days we have to live. Based on all the tributes flowing in, it's clear that Locke touched many and accomplished a great deal during his allotted time. I will always remember with gratitude that he reached out to me--someone he didn't know very well at all--during the most difficult chapter in my life. And I love the fact that he thought of me as a friend first and colleague second, because in the end our relationships define us much more than our work. Sometimes the hardest working among us still have the energy to teach this lesson.
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