Go Mama Gone

I was biking home last night passed Go Mama Go, a -- jeesh, how to describe it -- trendy Asian home decorative boutique store -- and noticed there were stacks of flowers in front, and a picture of the owner, Noi Chudnoff (pictured, right) on the big storefront window.

Oh no, I thought.

Chudnoff, born in Thailand, a grandmother, opened her store and became a fixture in the gay community here, supporting so many gay-related community causes. Her presence was inescapable at almost every gay community event. When walking into her store -- as I did just a few weeks ago -- you would bask in her benevolence.

She did indeed die this week, after a freak fall caused a brain hemorrhage. She was one of those people who, although you didn't know her personally, somehow affected your life. Our community will miss her spirit.