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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Gay Elwell: Judge, Lady and Friend

Gay Elwell
She'd kill me if I told you this, but she was always a hottie to me. I got to know her back in the day, when I drank too much and frequented The Garrison Bar. That was the watering hole for young reporters and lawyers. Everybody hit on Gay Elwell back then. You see, in addition to being quite attractive, she had a brain and could hold her own with the best trial lawyers.

In my cups, I am certain I proposed to her several times while attempting tp impress her with my skills at PAC-MAN and ASTEROIDS. She always let me down gently.

GAME OVER.

I remained a buffoon and went on to get my law license suspended. She, like most others, grew up and became The Morning Call's Northampton County Courthouse reporter, succeeding the great Peg Rhodin.

Matching Peg Rhodin would be an accomplishment for anyone, but Gay was not finished. She went on to become a District Judge, and a pretty damn good one at that.

She made one mistake. She remained my friend, even though I gave her ample reason to deny ever having known me. When I started blogging, she actually helped, shooting me an email now and then to point out my numerous spelling and grammatical errors. You see, she was still a writer.

And a voracious reader. I bumped into her at The Easton Public Library every week. I'd grab historical biographies, while she preferred trash. Must be why she read my blog.

Her brother went missing a few months ago, and I know that really ate away at her. But she put on a brave face. "Cheers, my dear. Keep your chin up," she'd tell me as I complained about this and that.

Easton has lost a good front-line judge with lots of common sense. I call them mini-judges, but they are often the only thing that prevents an urban area like Easton from breaking out in riots.

I, and many others at the courthouse, have lost a friend.

I'll miss you, Gay.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

So will we all.

Anonymous said...

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Good time to reflect that there is are real people on the otherside of a blog posting.

Anonymous said...

Oh Bernie
So sorry to read this news in today's paper.

Anonymous said...

This was a shock. A great loss for Northampton County courts.

Carol said...

Morning Bernie, this is a shock to say the least, I didn't run into Gay very often, but when I did she always acknowledged me not with just an hello, but with my name.

Jerry said...

One of the finest individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Gay reported the news. She wasn't one of these reporters that attempted to create a story. If it was fact it was printed. Fair, concientious, intelligent, and dedicated are just some of the words that come to mind when I think of Gay. A smile that brightens any room with a great sense of humor to go with that smile. We will all miss Gay Elwell. She was a local treasure.

Alfonso said...

Your words definitely paint her as a GREAT woman. I am sure she will be missed.

Alfonso Todd

Anonymous said...

She was truly one of the good ones. What a terribly sad day and a tragic year for that family. RIP.

Anonymous said...

Gay was a very nice person, real class. Please don't associate yourself with her.

Anonymous said...

Very well said. Between this and the passing of Judge Garb, there have been two significant losses to the Northampton County bench.

Anonymous said...

Very well said. She was a skilled professional and a lovely person.

Anonymous said...

Very sweet, very kind words. Nice post.

Bernie O'Hare said...

She was a very sweet lady and I will miss her.

Denyse Hollis said...

I was very saddened to hear of this. I knew her both inside and outside the courtroom... she was taken from us far too soon.

Denyse Hollis said...

I was very saddened to hear of this. I knew her both inside and outside the courtroom... she was taken from us far too soon.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yes, she was, Denyse. Thank you for your nice words.

Bill said...

I did not know her or Judge Garb, but I am sorry for your loss. They both sound like people who worked to make our world a better place.

c said...

It is sad when good people go.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Bill, I only knew Judge Garb to say hi to him and as a litigant. I knew Gay very well.

P.J.Cochran said...

Bernie, Ashton 1-5 this Sat.Annex Bamk Street.We all liked her so much.

P.J.Cochran said...

Sorry mean to say- Bank Street Annex,Sunday after 1. I am still upset and do not use this thing.I wanted you to know however.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Sunday?

Anonymous said...

A funeral service for Easton District Judge Gay Elwell will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Bank Street Annex, 316 Northampton St., Easton.

Calling hours will be 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Burial will be private at Easton Cemetery.

More information here: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2012/12/gay_elwell_funeral_services_se.html#incart_river_default

Bernie O'Hare said...

Thanks for posting this.