2020 in Review: Gone, but not forgotten

(We celebrate those who are gone but not forgotten)

2020 snatched so many from us. Mothers. Fathers. Boyfriends. Girlfriends. Brothers. Sisters. Icons. Unknowns.

Some deaths were natural, while many like Gilligan’s Island’s Dawn Wells, Star Wars’ Darth Vader David Prowse and Nick Cordero succumbed to a new evil known as “complications from COVID.” That mother-effer cancer also reared its head. Among its victims, legendary guitarist and founding member of Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, actress Kelly Preston and director Lynn Shelton.

Then there was the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

Sigh.

Here’s the good news, though. Even if Helen Reddy, Kenny Rogers and Bill Withers have departed to another plane, they are not really gone as we will continue to sing their songs. We will roar like Reddy. Be a Gambler like Rogers and have a lovely day with Withers.

We’ll continue to watch Kirk Douglas and Olivia De Havilland in their iconic films and we will read John Le Carre. We will march and carry the torch that Civil Rights icon John Lewis started on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The point is, the ones who have left, haven’t really. It’s like leaving your bed in the morning. The outline of your form is still on the pillow. They have touched all of our senses in some indescribable way. And we are better human beings for it. Through their perseverance and passion, they made us laugh. Made us cry. Made us think.

Made us love.

At Reel 360, we don’t mourn their passings. Instead, we celebrate who they were and still are, as their contributions will live on in our hearts and memories. Each one below is truly Resting in Power and resting in a little place in our hearts:

  • Lynn Shelton
  • John J Lafia

If you’d like to read many of their full obituaries, CLICK HERE.


ALSO READ: 2020 in Review: Reel Chicago’s Biggest Stories


We also realize 2020 has had a devastating effect on some of our extended family – you our readers. If you have lost someone this year due to COVID or anything else, you have our sincere thoughts and empathy.

They are gone, but never forgotten. Happy New Year from the Reel 360 team.

Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1

(We celebrate those who are gone but not forgotten)

2020 snatched so many from us. Mothers. Fathers. Boyfriends. Girlfriends. Brothers. Sisters. Icons. Unknowns.

Some deaths were natural, while many like Gilligan’s Island’s Dawn Wells, Star Wars’ Darth Vader David Prowse and Nick Cordero succumbed to a new evil known as “complications from COVID.” That mother-effer cancer also reared its head. Among its victims, legendary guitarist and founding member of Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, actress Kelly Preston and director Lynn Shelton.

Then there was the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

Sigh.

Here’s the good news, though. Even if Helen Reddy, Kenny Rogers and Bill Withers have departed to another plane, they are not really gone as we will continue to sing their songs. We will roar like Reddy. Be a Gambler like Rogers and have a lovely day with Withers.

We’ll continue to watch Kirk Douglas and Olivia De Havilland in their iconic films and we will read John Le Carre. We will march and carry the torch that Civil Rights icon John Lewis started on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The point is, the ones who have left, haven’t really. It’s like leaving your bed in the morning. The outline of your form is still on the pillow. They have touched all of our senses in some indescribable way. And we are better human beings for it. Through their perseverance and passion, they made us laugh. Made us cry. Made us think.

Made us love.

At Reel 360, we don’t mourn their passings. Instead, we celebrate who they were and still are, as their contributions will live on in our hearts and memories. Each one below is truly Resting in Power and resting in a little place in our hearts:

  • Lynn Shelton
  • John J Lafia

If you’d like to read many of their full obituaries, CLICK HERE.


ALSO READ: 2020 in Review: Reel Chicago’s Biggest Stories


We also realize 2020 has had a devastating effect on some of our extended family – you our readers. If you have lost someone this year due to COVID or anything else, you have our sincere thoughts and empathy.

They are gone, but never forgotten. Happy New Year from the Reel 360 team.

Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1