[sumo] The Passing of Barbara Ann Klein

[Scott Kahn]

Oh, my, I am in shock.  I can’t believe it.

Barbara Ann was so generous to me and my family.  And, to so many who love
sumo, including all rikishi.

I wouldn’t know where to start.  Whether it was helping Bob Reimer and his
lovely wife when he was diagnosed with melanoma.  Taking a photo of
Daughter of Sukubidubidu to her adopted Jonokuchi-level rikishi, Gagamaru,
and returning with a photo of Gaga smiling, holding the same picture in his
hands.

Or, her close personal relationship with a young wrestler from Mongolia,
befriending him when he was just starting out in sumo, like she did with so
many rikishi who adored her.  They became close personal friends, to the
point where she became godmother to his children.  She accompanied him on
occasion to Mongolia, and he would stay with her in New York when he
visited here.

One evening when Barbara Ann and I were at a sushi restaurant in Manhattan,
she received a call from him.  “I’m here”, he said, and he asked her to
come meet him for dinner.  Barbara Ann asked me to come along with her, and
at first I refused, not wanting to disturb their friendship.  She would
have nothing to do with my refusal, saying that I was also her friend.  So,
I went with her.  I met her friend, his brother, and a few other people.
To see in person, how strong their friendship was, and how much they
enjoyed each other’s company, was priceless.  He was such a kind,
thoughtful, respectful young gentleman.

Those who saw Barbara Ann’s leather jacket that she proudly wore, know who
her friend is.  He gifted her with a yusho portrait.  He confided in her.
As did many other rikishi.

I am sure that he and his family join us in mourning, upon learning of this
sad news.

Please excuse me while I shed tears for a dear friend…

Sukubidubidu

On Tue, Jun 11, 2024 at 12:25 AM Jeffrey Anderson <jpaitv at gmail.com> wrote:

> It is my very sad duty to tell you that Barbara Ann Klein, also known as
> Babanoshuzan to early gamers, passed away May 22. She was a frequent
> contributor to this listserve for well over 20 years, going back to the mid
> 1990’s.  I loved her as a dear friend over the decades, and she also me. I
> don’t know what else to say as I am truly mourning Her passing. If you have
> a special memory of Barbara Ann, treasure it in your heart or share it here
> with us, her long time listserver friends and acquaintances.
>
> Barbara Ann was the one who gave me my nickname of Gai and She always used
> it when talking with me. I gave her the special nickname of Baba and used
> it always with her.
>
> Best regards,
> Jeffrey Anderson
> Gaijingai
> For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
> The saddest are these:
> It might have been.
> - John Greenleaf Whittier
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> Sumo at webtrek.com
> http://server.webtrek.com/mailman/listinfo/sumo
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