Anita and I met when we were 14 years old. We shared all the joys and heartbreaks of high school.  As the years passed we rejoiced together and we mourned together. When we were in our early 20s Anita moved away from New York. For all the rest of her life we never lived in the same state. When our children were small, we wrote letters. Later we were able to meet several times during the year for much needed “catch-ups”. In April I went to Louisville, in June we went to Bermuda,  in January we’d spend a weekend at the Waldorf. Keeping a friendship alive this way is no small accomplishment and her accomplishments were many.

During her first few months in Louisville, Kentucky she sent a letter to the editor of the Courier Journal describing the disappointment  she felt in encountering southern bigotry - overt racism, sexism, homophobia. She spent the rest of her life doing all she could to make things better for the city she came to love.

Anita was Louisville’s first Parks Planner. Louisville was home to some of the most beautiful Olmstead parks. Sadly, they were suffering from neglect. In the 30 years she served in this position she was able to form an Olmstead Conservancy (much like the organization that protects the parks in New York City). Under her leadership these beautiful spaces were returned to their former beauty - but she also insured that they were open and used by all the different neighborhoods
Today there is a bench in Cherokee Park dedicated to her.”

For 50 years we were each other’s safe harbor. I lost her too soon 15 yrs ago. My comfort is - how lucky I was to know someone I would miss so much.
 
Maxine joined TBT 10 years ago. She is a regular at Friday night services. She is on the Ritual Committee and co-chairs TBT’s backpack drive.