I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jeanne Bassett, who was a reader of this page. More importantly, she was the mother of Digitalmediatree’s creator Jim, and thus a matriarchal figure for all of us involved in the site. Jeanne was the first person I really “met” through the agency of the internet. She emailed me in response to some early posts, and proved to be a perceptive and appreciative reader. At the time, we knew next to nothing about one another, and I was gratified to find that my words could have any sort of resonance outside of my immediate circle, let alone with “somebody’s mom.” That sort of direct, relatively unbiased connection is one of the great potentials of the net, and she was the first to reveal it to me.

Parents may profitably involve themselves in their children’s affairs only with some discretion, but I was never less than flattered by Jeanne’s inter-generational attentions. Internet aside, I will always be grateful that I did get to meet her and receive the hospitality of her house. And especially I will remember that we once had the occasion to walk together in Central Park and thence to the Met, where we looked at Christmas paintings.

Christmas is coming around again, but this year it will be marked by her death. I know this, having lost my own father almost exactly three years ago to the day. My prayers and thoughts are with Jeanne, and with Jim and all his family. For my part, I am privileged to have known her, all too briefly, as a friend.