Wonderful pictures, Shell. The entire convention was spectacular but one of the most memorable events for me occurred at St. Mary's Cemetery in Portsmouth on that beautiful Sunday early afternoon.
The memorial tribute to Margaret Hays Easton was touching. During our time there, I often thought how much Peggy and John Starbuck would have loved to have joined us. To those who may not be familiar, Peggy was Margaret's daughter. She passed away just a few years ago, and her husband John shortly thereafter, but not without leaving behind treasured memories of a wonderful couple. They attended as many Titanic functions as they could. Peggy was always so pleased and proud that her mother's legacy was being preserved by Titanic researchers. She also was extremely thrilled to have been able to meet Michel Navratil on two occasions in her later years. The tears flowed in New York in 1987 when the two were first introduced, and later in 1996 when Michel Navratil came sailing into New York following the arrival of the Island Breeze after the Titanic expedition. Peggy and John were at the pier to welcome Michel back - and they had a lovely lunch and spent much of the afternoon together.
I thought back to those special days and of the kind people who made it all possible. I am sure Peggy would have been grateful that so many came to pay tribute to her mother, and Michel truly honored to have had one of his last requests fulfilled.
Peggy told us one time that she wanted to place a cross over her mother's grave as well. The church cemetery officials wouldn't allow that for some strange reason. She added that she wanted to inscribe the words "Nearer My God to Thee" on her mother's cross had it been allowed. The hymn was played at her mother's funeral in 1956.
A beautiful tribute indeed to a brave woman - and to her family and those whose lives she touched so many years ago.
Mike
