Lesley Romani – Tough As Catshit

Received word this morning from Lenny that Lesley Romani passed. Her daughter had posted the news on her face book page.

I’ve known Lesley since Kindergarten at PS 81. We then spent the following eight years at St. Maggies. I’m pretty sure Lesley was a cheerleader. We also hung and partied in the same Riverdale crew outside of school, throughout high school. I knew her older brother Carl, who was tight with one of my Netherland Avenue close friends, Jimmy Breidenbach (I’m sure I misspelled that). One day Lesley and another one of the crew, Terry Carrigliano (I’m sure I misspelled that), decided they were going to travel to England together. To the rest of us who never left the Bronx, that was like saying they were traveling to Mars. I was in awe of their adventuristic tendencies.

Lesley found a life in England. One that was well-lived.

As with many of my friends from back then, we lost touch. But I never forgot her. She was tough as catshit.

After The Wise Ass dropped, I spotted a lovely review from a Lesley Romani among the crowd, and I wondered if it was the same person.

When I was writing Finding Jimmy Moran, I drew upon a lot of stories from my childhood. (This is where the lawyer in me has to remind everyone that FJM was totally fictitious.) Nudge, nudge, wink-wink, say no more.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Wink+wink+nod+nod+say+no+more&qpvt=Wink+wink+nod+nod+say+no+more&view=riverview&mmscn=mtsc&mid=D27080F8E23FD606DDBAD27080F8E23FD606DDBA&&aps=6&FORM=VMSOVR

There is a story in one of the early chapters of FJM about a caterpillar where I included Lesley – spelled wrong – as a character. True story. I believe I did a great job capturing her personality. Lesley was so clear in my memory.

After FJM dropped, I followed Kim Russo’s instructions and went on Face Book. Out of the blue, I received a friend request from Lesley, with one of those little waves. I was thrilled. I immediately told her I made her a character.

She later told me she had bought the Kindle versions of the other books and really enjoyed them.

I sent her an inscribed set of the books, plus a hat last summer. She told me she wanted to do some photo ops with them on her travels.

She responded a few weeks later.

She never mentioned she was in poor health, except for suffering with a bout of COVID. As I said, Lesley was tough as catshit.

When I didn’t hear from Lesley this past fall, I just assumed she was busy with her lovely family and traveling. Life is life and needs to be lived.

Truth is, while my door always remains open, I am just not really good at staying in touch.

When I learned of Lesley’s passing this morning, I felt bad that I allowed yet another old friend to pass the veil without saying goodbye. That’s on me. Vaya con dios, Lesley. You rock.

Prayers and condolences to your family, Lesley, especially your daughters, Louisa and Alexandra, and your grandchild. I know how much they mean to you and I know you’ll keep a close eye on them from beyond.

I’m glad you’ll at least get to hang around in the literary universe with the rest of the crew – old and new – in The Claire Saga, forever. See you on the other side.

I’m thrilled (and really jealous) that Lesley got to hang at Stonehenge with her guy. On my bucket list.

Funny thing about the books is that they seem to keep bringing very cool old friends back into my life, along with a whole new crew of new very cool friends. And even if those reunions are short and sweet, like with Lesley, they mean the world to me.

Well, I still have chores to do around here on Casa Claire.

So, I better get moving.

First some kitty cuddling and my rounds.

You fine, five readers make sure you do a better job at friendship than I have.

Reach out and say hello to anyone who pops into your mind.

And no matter what else we get up to today, let us make it a great one.