Too soon for goodbye

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Reno lost a good one last week with the death of Marianne Psota. I hope I’m not breaking news here. People who knew Marianne shouldn’t read about her end in bloodless black and white text. In case I am breaking news, though, Marianne died in her sleep on May 12. She was only 37. The cause of her death is still unknown.

She’s going to be missed, not just by her life partner, Nick Ramirez, and her stepchild, but by the music community that she nurtured and the sisterhood she cultivated—that’s not even to mention the many bar patrons over the years, like myself, she made her friends.

It’s weird to think of the world bereft of her smiling eyes and bubbling laugh. Still, in very real ways, she’ll live on. There will be a memorial at Sierra Arts, noon, May 23, 17 S. Virginia St. There’ll be further celebration of her life at 2:30 p.m. on May 23 at the Zephyr Lounge, 1074 S. Virginia St.

love is joy.
love is breaking.
love is newness.
love is emptying.
love is sorrow.
love is war.
love is fullness.
love is more.
love is merging.
love is accepting.
love is surrender.
love is all
and living…
—Marianne Psota

The death of someone as young as Marianne reminds us of several things. First, we can’t forget to tell people we care about that we care about them. Second, no matter how long or strong a non-married relationship is, it’s necessary to sign legal papers, like medical and legal powers of attorney, if couples want real rights.

Reason to vote No. 27: Sometimes seeing the positive results of your vote will inspire you to seek greater political involvement.