The whirlwind I came to know as Trinette found me walking along the first-floor hallway. Without taking many breaths that I could notice, she gave me her life story complete with references and why she needed to start painting…NOW!
The Seneca Evening Adult Education Class was full so the evening principal told Trinette to ask me if I could accept one more student.
Of course, I said yes and began an adventure with the most fascinating, fast-talking chatterbox that I have ever met.
Trinette was a critical care nurse and with camera in hand, always in a rush to live, had worked her way around the world gaining an exciting amount of experience about the customs and cultures of people whose lands few individuals will ever hope to see or locate on a map without the help of Google.
She brought back photographs taken at the North Pole, Sweden, Borneo, and Machu Pichu among many others. Trinette was a witness in Red Square when tanks rolled in during the 1991 attempted Soviet Coup. She stood on the roof of a bus and on a tank to record civilian protesters after Gorbachev was overthrown.
Trinette became a spokesperson for the Gallery and we sponsored her community lectures to schools and civic organizations. Respect for her grew with each talk and it was gratifying to witness her enriching the lives of many individuals.
It was a good thing she rushed during life because we lost her much too soon.