It was the fall of 1969. For two quarters I was temporarily “marooned” in Lander Hall at the UW. My next-door neighbor turned out to be Greg Hoerner, with whom I quickly struck up a friendship. Soon thereafter I had the privilege and delight of meeting “Miss Lolly.” I remember the many times Greg and I would drive in his Rambler (?) from Lander Hall to the sorority where Lolly lived.
It became part of our routine that I would get out of the car, usher Lolly in, and then get back into the car. Greg always touched Lolly on the leg and said, “How’re you doing, Miss Lolly?” I can still recall the smell of Lolly’s perfume, Shalimar, when she got into the car.
Even then I knew I had met a special woman and a special couple. Lolly was beautiful not just on the outside. She had special qualities that made her beautiful on the inside. Lolly was warm, caring, loving, and possessed of a great sense of humor.
Greg and Lolly were married in the summer of 1971. I would have attended the wedding had I not been heading off to study in the Soviet Union. Ever since that time I have kept in my collection of special memories a picture from the wedding. On the back side, Greg wrote: The quality of this picture isn’t quite up to your quality standards, but the idea is still present. Lol and I are very happy, and I just hope if and when you decide to join the ranks, you’ll be as fortunate.”
After the UW, I didn’t see Greg and Lolly again until Thanksgiving of 1977. They were kind enough to invite me join them for a wonderful holiday. On this visit I saw yet another dimension of Lolly, the hostess. It was such a delight to see Lolly and Greg after the passage of so many years.
I did not see Greg and Lolly again for the better part of twenty years. Greg quickly moved up the corporate ladder at Abbott. Lolly, his best friend, went with him to Athens, Thailand, and beyond. I know how much her devotion to Greg and their children meant. It was not easy living thousands of miles from home and hearth. Lolly gave form and substance to all of their lives.
We next met up sometime around the mid-nineties, when my daughter, Ari, and I visited Greg, Lolly and the girls in San Diego. A few years later we visited them again, this time in Gig Harbor. Lolly was such a gracious hostess. Ari still talks about the experience. We all saw each other a few years ago when Greg and Lolly were in Longmont, Colorado, visiting Greg’s brother. Lolly looked radiant and she was clearly enjoying the benefits of being an empty nester.
Words cannot express how much I will miss “Miss Lolly.” Our friendship has represented an unbroken chain of continuity and warmth for over forty years.