Ronnie Shensa (Kahanah Farnsworth) and I were good friends in high school. Her parents moved to CA shortly after graduation; she and lost touch, but reconnected perhaps 25 years ago.
I learned she "dropped out" and became a hippie, changed her name to Kahanah lived on a commune, gave birth to a daughter Dawn (who I met years ago-- would be in her mid-40s now, married, 3 children, living in CA, BA in philosophy from UCSD). Kahanah told me that she and baby Dawn lived on a beach in Hawaii for awhile (literally ON the beach...) -- Kahanah told me she really didn't remember much of what happened during those years -- and eventually ended up in Southern California, where she married Ron Farnsworth. He was a civil servant, she taught outdoor ed to middle-schoolers, and published a book on edible plants, which she also illustrated. I have a beautiful plant sketch she sent me -- it is framed and hanging in a place of pride in our weekend home in the Indiana Dunes...
I am thrilled that Ronnie/Kahanah and I reconnected --both in high school and as an adult she was smart, creative, passionate, and funny. And the first time I ever had home-delivered pizza was during a sleepover at her house -- back in the day! Sadly she died around the time of her 61st birthday -- I know she had had surgery for colon cancer about 2 1/2 years before. She was a good person, who died too soon. I hope you remember her, too.
I certainly do remember her, Dana. Thanks for all the "history"! She was a "one off", before her time. She was a friend of mine, too...can picture her in my mind so clearly. But what I remember most was her sweet gentle voice, so soft you had to get near her to hear what she was saying. She's certainly missed by many, no doubt. She had a connection with something "other" and was true to that connection it seems. Again, thank you for your much appreciated comments.
Patty~Just happened to check this page again, and noticed your comments. The other connection was that my younger son Nathaniel spent a high school summer at UCSD (San Diego) in a marine biology program. Ronnie's daughter and only child Dawn was a philosophy major - -probably 8 years his senior -- but due to the friendship of the mothers, Dawn made the effort to connect with Nathaniel -- very sweet, indeed.
Dana Shepard (Treister)
Ronnie Shensa (Kahanah Farnsworth) and I were good friends in high school. Her parents moved to CA shortly after graduation; she and lost touch, but reconnected perhaps 25 years ago.
I learned she "dropped out" and became a hippie, changed her name to Kahanah lived on a commune, gave birth to a daughter Dawn (who I met years ago-- would be in her mid-40s now, married, 3 children, living in CA, BA in philosophy from UCSD). Kahanah told me that she and baby Dawn lived on a beach in Hawaii for awhile (literally ON the beach...) -- Kahanah told me she really didn't remember much of what happened during those years -- and eventually ended up in Southern California, where she married Ron Farnsworth. He was a civil servant, she taught outdoor ed to middle-schoolers, and published a book on edible plants, which she also illustrated. I have a beautiful plant sketch she sent me -- it is framed and hanging in a place of pride in our weekend home in the Indiana Dunes...
I am thrilled that Ronnie/Kahanah and I reconnected --both in high school and as an adult she was smart, creative, passionate, and funny. And the first time I ever had home-delivered pizza was during a sleepover at her house -- back in the day! Sadly she died around the time of her 61st birthday -- I know she had had surgery for colon cancer about 2 1/2 years before. She was a good person, who died too soon. I hope you remember her, too.
Dana Shepard Treister
Patricia Ann Richards (Armstrong)
I certainly do remember her, Dana. Thanks for all the "history"! She was a "one off", before her time. She was a friend of mine, too...can picture her in my mind so clearly. But what I remember most was her sweet gentle voice, so soft you had to get near her to hear what she was saying. She's certainly missed by many, no doubt. She had a connection with something "other" and was true to that connection it seems. Again, thank you for your much appreciated comments.
Dana Shepard (Treister)
Patty~Just happened to check this page again, and noticed your comments. The other connection was that my younger son Nathaniel spent a high school summer at UCSD (San Diego) in a marine biology program. Ronnie's daughter and only child Dawn was a philosophy major - -probably 8 years his senior -- but due to the friendship of the mothers, Dawn made the effort to connect with Nathaniel -- very sweet, indeed.
DANA
Cheryl Kushner (Lane)
I loved Ronnie. She was a dear friend. I am so sorry we will not have a chance to see each other again.