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The Village: |
A Natural Food Cooperative
in Baltimore |
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I'm sad to report that Gussie Tweedy has passed away.
A resident of the Pen Lucy neighborhood, Gussie was a dedicated coordinator of Baltimore's "Sam's Belly" natural food cooperative for many years.
More than a decade after the Belly closed, she was also happy to serve as informal advisor to our Village Cooperative board, which we "newbies" greatly appreciated.
Gussie was present on opening day of the Village in March 2005. Two pictures from that day are shown here. More pictures below.
I'm happy to collect remembrances about Gussie from the Baltimore cooperative community (and from others who knew her, as well, which feels appropriate, since Gussie deftly bridged many communities).
Email me at: mroswell@charm.net.
Memorial Services:
Date: Thursday, June 9
Time: 2 pm
Place: Blessed Sacrament Church
4103 Old York Road
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Gussie with Michael Dobson
The Belly, in 1992.
Gussie in action at the Belly.
GUSSIE TWEEDY
by Alan Barysh
Shešs got a gingersnap smile-
and
a honey lemon voice.
She walks with a grace that comes with the wisdom of time.
Shešs fearless like flowers that grow up between the cracks of a city
street.
Her reputation for kindness precedes her like a band of guardian angels.
Even the roughest of the rough with icicle ventricles step aside, tip their
hats and say "good day mam" as she walks down the street.
It's as if they knew she had the creator's home phone number on the speed
dial of her cell-phone.
There'd be hell to pay if that call went through
Annette Jones-Wilson writes from the Artmobile listserv:
OH NO. Ms. Gussie was a driving force (more like a strong, gentle force) for
unity, strength, calm, peace, intelligence.......I could go on and on, at
Stadium School (Baltimore City Public School #15). I served on the Board of
Directors with her for 2 years; hers was a voice of reason, always. She
would not put up with any divisive nonsense and guided us through a time of
intense questioning and change.
I used to also see her at the Baltimore Rhythm and Drumming Society Festival
(B.I.R.D.S.) in Charles Village. She was really one in a million.
A Remembrance from Kdjah:
Gussie was a wonderful person with a big heart, lots of patience, and a good
listener. I feel blessed to have known her.
FOR GUSSIE
Poem by Jasaga
She is a freedom rider now more than ever
We have watched her growing wings
A conversation with her as always been uplifting
And her smile, so freely given, shines still on many things.
From the Belly to the Village, she's helped to feed
A community in struggle just to get what they need
Her gathering of friends, neighbors and clan
Have left us all in good cheer and in good hands
Even with this note of passing on,
Something of Gussie is never gone
She is a spiritual being who has run out of physical time
And left a trail to follow on this freedom ride
So we will miss her, but let us never hide
From this fact--with such an angel on our side
We must never fail to act
Be a blessing, give a blessing, share all blessings
And love will prevail and provide
Always count yourself among the needy
And remember well, Our beloved Gussie Tweedy.
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