I've just received confirmation that Dannell Lites has died of natural
causes. Here is all the info I have on her passing.
*
A friend to many of us in Legion fandom has gone to her eternal
reward.
It is always hard to accept the passing of a person who, by their
presence with us, has enriched us. Dannell Lites was just such a
person.
Dannell was one of those rare people who possessed both great
insight and a generous and gentle spirit. When Dannell arrived at a
comic convention, or made her presence known on a message board
or a discussion group, such as LegionPics, she always had a positive
effect. She always managed to bring out the best in her friends and
acquaintances. She showed us by her example that grace and
kindness were virtues to be greatly valued.
I will miss Dannell Lites. I know that my wife Marianne will miss
her. I know that all those who knew her will miss her, and that the
news of her passing will be so difficult for so many. My deepest
sympathy goes out to those who grieve for their friend Dannell. I
understand your loss.
I am told that Dannell Lites died of natural causes, that her physical
body simply failed her. My personal belief is that she has entered
eternity. I am comforted to know that Dannell is now free of all of
the pains that she endured in this mortal life.
Whatever your personal beliefs may be, I encourage you all to
remember our friend Dannell. She will always be special to us.
Sincerely,
Steve Lightle
::Steve Lightle was an artist on the Legion of Super-Heroes book,
and he had met her personally.::
:: Rivka Jacobs posted this to the Magneto Mailing List 10/23/02.
I called the Kansas City Star this morning, their Customer Service
number, (I-816 234-4487). (This office is open from 8 am to 12
noon Monday through Friday).
The gentleman I spoke with found an article. It said Dannell died on
September 16th, at Truman Medical Center. The article is in the
September 25th issue of the Star. No one claimed the body. The
authorities couldn't find relatives, according to the article. I took
notes, so to quote from memory, "The Jackson County Medical
Examiners office is searching for relatives of a Kansas City woman
who died September 16." They say in the article that Dannell lived in
the 3300 block of Denver Ave., which matches up with the address I
had for her. She apparently died in the hospital. Because here is still
no obituary, the gentleman I talked to said her body still might be at
the medical center, unclaimed. This makes me sick to think about.
The number given for the Medical Examiner's office is: 1-816 - 881
- 6600.
Sad news indeed. I called the Medical Examiner's Office. The
medical examiner told me what happened to Dannell in great detail.
Apparently, she felt sick on Sept. 15th, because she called an
ambulance on Sept. 16 at 12:55 am, complaining of problems
breathing, dizziness, and feeling very ill. She was taken to the
Truman Medical Center, and she herself told staff there, that she had
no living relatives. She did not tell them about any of her dozens of
friends; I guess she didn't want to burden anyone, or make anyone
worry. She died several hours later on the 16th. I can only hope she
got the very best care. The medical examiner said that cause of
death was cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
They searched for next of kin; they found her mother's name but not
a working phone number. She was kept by the Jackson County
Med. Examiner's office for one month, and then sent for "county
burial." She was sent to Watkins Brothers Funeral Home, and the
med. examiner doesn't know if she was buried or cremated. He
didn't know any other information. The number for Watkins Funeral
Home is: 1-816-861-3030.
Dave Cockrum's wife Paty, and some other of Dannell's friends,
including Steve Litel who lives in Kansas City are going to check
out all this info. They were under the impression she had died
"recently" and her family had been notified. I know Dannell was
around my age, and I don't think there were any other "Dannell
Lites" who lived in Kansas City and were around my age. I certainly
hope Dannell's family was contacted and she was buried with family
around her! It makes me sick to think of her dying all alone, and
being buried with strangers -- she was one of the most
warm-hearted, generous, nice people I've ever met anywhere. And
she had dozens and dozens of friends!
~Rivka
:: The actual article she is quoting goes like this:
Family sought The Jackson County medical examiner's office is
searching for relatives of a Kansas City woman who died Sept. 16 at
Truman Medical Center. Medical officials said Dannell Lite, 49,
apparently died of natural causes. She lived in the 3300 block of
Denver Avenue. Anyone with information about Lite is asked to call
the office at (816) 881-6600.