Lian
Lillian Sing passed at 4:00 yesterday. Lian, as everyone called her. was a beautiful 90+ year old woman, a cousin of Jadyne’s. One of eight children, she was the oldest. Two are left, Jeanette and Larry. Larry was a child movie star, “Ducky Louie” who in Back to Bataan, died in John Wayne’s arms.
Lian at her sister Eve’s bedside, 2017, days before Eve died.
Lian was my favorite. She and her late husband Joe, lived in a magnificent four story home in Point Richmond from which one could see all four bridges. Joe, an architect, designed the house. After Joe died Lillian lived alone for a while, then sold the house and moved in close to her son, Mark, who was paralyzed in a diving accident in his youth. When I worked at the Berkeley Food Pantry Jadyne often stopped by to see her, as her apartment was along the way. She and Joe were consummate hosts and excellent cooks. An evening overlooking the bay at their house and in their company was a family high point. We celebrated Lian’s ninetieth birthday four or five years ago at the Brazil building in Tilden Park. That was the last time I saw her.
Tommy
Tommy Smothers was one half of one of America’s best-loved musical comedians. Google the Smothers Brothers, and look at any of their skits on YouTube. His brother Dick played the straight man. Tommy was the funny one. Their comedy was based on their sibling rivalry, although even known mostly for their comedy, they were both skilled musicians.
Beyond that Tom and Dick Smothers were kicked off CBS, even though the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was their top-rated TV show. They were activists, protesting the Vietnam War, advocating for Civil Rights, and either publicly criticizing or advocating support for other controversial subjects, causes that shook up right wing corporate America.
Tommy lived near Santa Rosa. He grew grapes (doesn’t everybody?) and Richard Arrowood, a winemaker, produced wine under the Smothers Brothers own label. I photographed Richard’s daughter’s wedding; Tommy was the entertainment. The minister who performed the ceremony directed me not to take photographs, as it would destroy the sanctity of the occasion. Although I said I wouldn’t be visible, would have a tripod, wouldn’t use a flash, she insisted. Meanwhile, as I fumed, unable to do my job, people popped up and down with cell phone cameras, snapping away.
At the reception Tommy and I were seated by ourselves for dinner. He was aware of what I had just gone through, and he told me this story. “When my brother was to be married the minister warned me not to disrupt the service, too. So as the best man, the lights were turned down as I entered the church. I had a suit that was covered with flashing colored lights, like a Christmas tree, and I had a yo-yo in each hand. (Tommy was a yo-yo master). Having seen him so many times on TV in the sixties and seventies, I could easily imagine. He gave me his phone number. “Call me,” he said, “Let’s play golf.” I didn’t. We didn’t.
In this sketch Dick Smothers is on the set of Johnny Carson’s show. Tommy comes on dressed as Johnny Carson. His ability to ape Carson is hilarious. People of later generations, those who didn’t know Carson, might not relate to it as much, but his comedic genius shines.