Mookie's Thread

[edblysard]

Although she would be mad at me for doing so, I have to tell you, the forum members, that Mookie, (Jenny Corman) passed away on August 7^th.

She kept a low profile here, as she felt that most of the members, being men, would feel threatened by a female fan, and either dismiss her or ridicule her.

She came to her interest by way of her father, who ran the last steam pulled passenger train for the

C B & Q.

Always eager to learn more about what her father did, and drawn to railroading by the same things that most are, she interjected some very astute questions into many discussions, and provided some funny sidebars too!

Many of us knew her as a funny, outgoing lady, and many of us met both her and The Driver (Edwin).

She was always ready for our visits and would take us to her train watching “spot” at the drop of a hat, the whole time asking questions about the things she saw.

Her friends were many, Mud Chicken, Carl, Willie, Murphy, myself and my family, and many many more, too many to name here.

I often wished to return to her Nebraska and visit, but like many, it seems I put it off too often and now that I won’t get the chance, I find myself regretting it.

Twice my family and I went to Lincoln, and each visit was more enjoyable that the last, her Driver and she were most excellent host!

She e mailed me way back when, asking if I thought the forum would take to a woman asking questions…she had read one of my articles in Trains, and wanted my opinion.

I told her then to ask away, and disregard any naysayers…you might even remember the thread about yellow thingies on NS engines, which we discussed a great deal before deciding she was describing EOT holders, which I confirmed on my first visit.

From there, she never looked back, although these last few years she refrained from posting much, as she felt the forum had gotten, well, lopsided let’s say.

Anyway, I thought she deserved at least a thread of her own for a while, she earned it, and if you have cholate cake and some milk, hoist a glass and have a slice, and remember the lady named after her cat.

[ChuckCobleigh]

Bummer.  Really at a loss for words, except condolences to Driver and to the rest of us who enjoyed reading her many enjoyable posts over the years.

[NorthWest]

Oh no! She and her questions will be missed. I always enjoyed reading her stories and queries and the responses that they garnered.

She was one of the people on here that I was hoping to eventually meet.

My condolences to her family and friends.

[greyhounds]

No words of mine can make this better.  I will miss her posts.  Rest in Eternal Peace Mookie.

[JoeKoh]

Thank you Ed for posting this.She has seen Matt grow up over the years.She would be proud of the young man he has become.Our deepest sympathy to her family.

stay safe

Joe

[mudchicken]

Mookie was this forum. We were all better for having met and corresponded with her over the years. The wry good humor and wise counsel will be missed. Our condolences to Driver (Ed).

[BaltACD]

While it is sad news, thank you Ed for communicating it.  I had several PM conversations with her and she will be missed.  My condolences to Driver.

RIP Mookie - Rail on!

[tree68]

Madam La Mook, RIP.  I put together an image using the basis for her screen name - a cat named Mookie - for her to use, which she did, for a while.  I still have a copy of it on my computer and run into it from time to time.

A memorial marker should be placed at her favorite trainwatching spot in Lincoln.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Mookie's posts were always entertaining, interesting and even informative.  They also kept us from taking ourselves too seriously and reminded us that we are in this hobby for the fun of it.

[Deggesty]

I am grieved to hear of Mookie's departure from this life. I did not know her as well as some of us did, but I felt able to call her, as a fe did, "Sister Jen."

I appreciated her questions, which were, to me, reasonable. And, I enjoyed the little bit of back and forth she and I had.

I, along with many others, will miss her comments and questions.

[Murphy Siding]

  

    This is sad. Mookie was a big part of what made this forum interesting. She and I have corresponded for at least 10-12 years. A quick look back at PM’s shows that we probably corresponded 500-600 times. We talked about trains, the forum, families, jobs, doctors, health issues and life in general.

     Jenny was a very private person. I can respect that as I’m the same. I can tell you she was like everyone’s nice grandma. She had a delightful sense of humor and a great demeanor. About 6 weeks back I managed to call her in the hospital and talked for about 45 minutes. She was just a chatty, giggly, fun person to talk to.

     I trust that her new train watching spot has a lot more to offer than just coal trains pulled by orange pumpkins. See ya at the next station Jen.

[diningcar]

Sometimes words are not adequate to express our feelings. This is such a time for me but I must try.

Mr. Driver your wonderful lady brightened our lives with her very unique style of communicating. Please take comfort from these responses from her many friends.

[zardoz]

A wonderful person who will be missed by all who knew her.

[charlie hebdo]

She was wise and gentle "old soul" who will be missed.

[Gramp]

Sad.  Always enjoyed her humor and comments.  RIP

[CShaveRR]

I was sad to hear of her failing health, and we have both been saddened even more today with this news.
We, too, got to "Camp Mookie" in Lincoln a couple of times.  The time that a bunch of us--the Blysards, Willie and his parents, Brian Hanel, Mudchicken and Boss Hen, and Pat and I--joined them at this spot, we all had a fantastic time watching trains, and at the lunch for all, the supper for some, and the small gathering in her living room at the end of that day in October 2005.  It was somebody's birthday--I can't remember whose, among that crowd of early/mid October birthdays.  BH?  Aimee?

From the time I started contributing to the Forum (she had already been here), I adored her posts.  I may have been responsible for the "SJ" appellation, because I thought she was like somebody's little sister, tagging along on her brothers' adventures (she wouldn't have been a little sister, having several years on me--she would have been 75 this December--but the image persisted, even after we'd met).  It was an image I delighted in, even more so when I became "BC" (Brother Carl) to her.  And on the fairly frequent calls we shared, I always looked forward to eliciting one of her guffaws.

But all good things had to come to an end.  Ed, you mentioned that she'd probably be angry over this post as an unnecessary intrusion.  You're lucky you didn't run afoul of this.  I did...and she was not happy with me.  And she bore the grudge.

But now, there's a sunbeam in Lincoln without its owner.  Stay warm and happy, SJ!

As to the monument at Camp Mookie, I'm in favor--how could we make it happen?

                           @

[csxns]

RIP Mookie will miss you.

[blhanel]

CShaveRR

The time that a bunch of us--the Blysards, Willie and his parents, Brian Hanel, Mudchicken and Boss Hen, and Pat and I--joined them at this spot, we all had a fantastic time watching trains, and at the lunch for all, the supper for some, and the small gathering in her living room at the end of that day in October 2005.  It was somebody's birthday--I can't remember whose, among that crowd of early/mid October birthdays.  BH?  Aimee?

Not me- mine's in May.

I will miss her as well.  I guess I can throw away the tin shoes now... 

[CShaveRR]

I have the photo of our lunch in Lincoln all those years ago.  I've posted it here before, but have lost the knowledge of how to do it again.  

[edblysard]

Aimee's, it is October 24th......

[blhanel]

You're a year off, Carl- here's a shot from that get-together taken on October 7, 2006; Mook's behind the camera, pushing the shutter release...

[blhanel]

And here's a shot of Mookie's favorite train-watching spot where I did manage to get her in the picture- second from left.

 

I could post a shot of her from Rochelle, but that's the one that led to the need for "tin shoes"- I don't want to risk her coming back from the grave to get me.

[edblysard]

Links don't seem to work for me....

[Semper Vaporo]

Brian:  All I see is a slashed circle and the title of the image in red.  Clicking the title gets me a page that says "Error 401, It seems you don't belong here!"

[CopCarSS]

Thanks for posting this, Ed. Even if Mook would have been upset about it, I think it's important to have a thread for her in this forum. Mookie was synonomous with this place and it's very melancholic to sign in and not have her here.

Mook, I hope there are lots of trains for you on the other side. Thanks for the gift of your friendship over the years. Keep an eye on all of us until we have the chance to meet again.

[selector]

Darn....  

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

Found out about this from Mudchicken last night when I met him for dinner.  Didn't know her nor was I acquainted with her but it's still damn sad nonetheless.  Our profession has lost a good one. 

[blhanel]

Sorry, got called away for a "honey-do" immediately after making the previous posts.  I must be doing something wrong with my links to Dropbox- I shall endeavor to fix them (funny, they show up fine when I look at the posts).

EDIT: can you see them now?

[SALfan]

I am so sorry to hear this; my sincere condolences to Driver and all on here who knew her personally.  I only knew Mookie from her posts on the forum, but she seemed like a really nice person.  My priest would have a conniption fit if he heard this, but I'm convinced there are trains in Heaven, so she should have plenty to watch.  

[mudchicken]

No luck up here in Minniesoter Brian....