Once again I found myself at a donor appreciation event at
the San Antonio Museum of Art where I was the only person without a coat and
tie. That I was also one of the youngest people in the room only amplified the
mumblings about my latest faux pas. Upon being introduced to Carol Lee Klose,
she asked if I was related to Kay Karcher. After explaining that I was not her
brother, but nephew, Carol asked if I was related to Margaret Jones. My
affirmation resulted in a big smile and the unexpected comment, “Margaret was
one of my favorite people. We were very close.”
Turns out that after graduating from college, Carol Lee was
hired to teach remedial English at Edison High School, where, “Margaret ran the
English department.” With a degree in theatre, Carol Lee continued to tell me
how she was woefully unprepared for the job, “and if it hadn’t been for
Margaret taking me under her wing, I would never have succeeded. She was a dear
friend of whom I was very fond.” Carol Lee went on to reminisce about coming
over to our house regularly to, “crawl on the floor with Kenny. Do you remember
when your Mom decided Kenny needed to have his arms and legs moved?” She also
asked if I was still an artist.
It was terrific to hear someone talk about Mamama again,
especially someone who so clearly loved her, as we do.
