It is with sadness that I hand the TAINTED ARCHIVE over to western writer, Jim Griffin for his heartfelt tribute to an illustator friend who died on January 27'th.
My friend Gale Buffum passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. Through it all she maintained her usual cheery attitude.
Gale was a wonderful woman, completely devoted to her husband Neal, her son Sean, and her grandchildren Will, Maggie, and Olivia. She had a zest for life, and was loved by her family and many friends.
Gale was my best friend in Keene. She was always trying to feed me whenever I stopped by to visit her and Neal. She was also one heckuva illustrator. Besides doing the dramatic gunfight scene for the cover of my third Jim Blawcyzk novel Trail of the Renegade, Gale had just completed an illustration for the cover of another Texas Ranger novel. She finished the drawing and gave me the CD containing it for the publ
isher on Christmas Eve. Little did I know then that would be the last time I would see Gale. The illustration she was going to do for an anthology of short Western stories will never be completed.
isher on Christmas Eve. Little did I know then that would be the last time I would see Gale. The illustration she was going to do for an anthology of short Western stories will never be completed.The cover Gale just finished (pictured) portrays her son Sean as a lawman, while the horse carrying the dead rider is Gale's rendition of my own paint Yankee. When I saw the drawing, I kidded Gale that she had killed me off. She assured me she hadn't, but the thought became a running joke between the two of us.
The book with this cover will be dedicated to Gale's memory.
I'll miss Gale terribly, but the Good Lord chose to end her suffering. As my friend, fellow author, and publisher Ron McDonald said when he heard of Gale's passing:
"God needed an artist in Heaven."
5 comments:
She always used to draw a great picture...I am glad her talents were recognized...
I remember alot of Snoopy drawings....as a child
Gales' sister..
Nancy Woods
Madeira Beach , florida
I remember Snoopy too! Gale will be missed by those of us who remember her laugh, smile, and most of all how she left "Sunkist" memories for use all :) I love you Aunt Gale, and miss you terribly... Nicole
As a cherished member of our family, Gale- Nancy and Carol have always held a special bond in my heart as favorite cousins. My uncle Harold and aunt Marie always welcomed our visits to Keene and in turn are a very large part of my childhood memories. Memories that were filled with laughter and camaraderie and adventure. A presence among us that somehow always seemed natural and easy . My heart sinks and tears flow every time I send out an email and Neal and Gale's address pop up automatically, yet I have vowed to never remove the link. God bless and comfort our beloved cousin as we mourn her passing and also rejoice in all we have shared together. A most beautiful and talented soul whom we will miss dearly and shall forever remember.
Gary Woods
Florence Ky.
My first memory of Gale is a little curly haired girl with thick glasses that a child shouldn't have had to wear. But her happy personality soon overcame that first impression and I accepted her as my cousin. This was a long time ago and as we grew,it became readily apparent that she was a very special person.
Always the optimist and forever in a great mood she could be the real version of a Saint. I miss her dearly and only find solice in the fact she is in a beter place. She told me once that she remembers the cars I used to draw on my Uncle and Aunts front porch. I never knew she was an artist till she sent me the link to the books.
Sorry Gale, that is another thing we could have shared if I had known.
God bless the gift you were to our lives...We all miss you
Ronn N Ronnie Woods
Cincinnati Ohio
God bless and comfort our beloved cousin as we mourn her passing and also rejoice in all we have shared together. A most beautiful and talented soul whom we will miss dearly and shall forever remember.
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