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3-28-2014 Postings on
the 4th anniversary of Dushka Howarth's Death
Dushka
2014 a.d.
On March 28, 2010,
Cynthia Ann Howarth, Dushka, died. For the many that
knew her, the anniversary of her death is a time to
pause and remember.
Her efforts, and
the work of her mother and her father, is alive in the
world and marks a possible path upward for the soul and
a potential way of liberation for the spirit.
what would duska
be telling her friends
about our sayings & doings
in this world?
what is dushka
telling her friends
about our sayings & doings?
Bob
Schneck
Special update: ... passing on the sad news of Robert J. Schneck, Jr's passing Monday afternoon, May 15, 2023, just a couple days after his 75th birthday. A great man and friend of GHS.
what, indeed!
Patty de Llosa
She is loving
on us, in her own
subjective way . . .
Kevin
"Let her with the
saints repose, now that
she's turned up her
toes! La, la,la!"
And as far as her work
and its continuation
here on earth, as she
famously said,
"It's up to ourselves".
Mike B.
3/28/1014
In Dushka's memory I
have added a
recording
made by Dushka
(3min)
and requested to be played
at her Memorial service
four years ago.
She still sings in many
of our hearts...
Please respect any
copyrights and listen to
it here and not copy.
Stephen E. Foster,
GHS Website's Webmaster
3-28-2013 Postings on
the 3rd year anniversary of Dushka Howarth's Death
On March 28, 2010, Cynthia Ann
Howarth, Dushka, died. For the many that knew her, it is a
time to pause and remember. Her efforts, and the work of her
mother and her father, is alive in the world and marks a
possible path upward for the soul and a potential way of
liberation for the spirit.
Robert Schneck, President GHS
3-28-2013 Postings on
the 2nd year anniversary of Dushka Howarth's Death
6-11-11 I think of you 4-5
times a week and long to talk to you. We visit in my dreams.
What is your hold on us? Never mind--it just is. I guess
it's love.
Wishing you the best and knowing you are eternally alive. I
love you.
' s
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3-28-2013 Postings on
the 1st year anniversary of Dushka Howarth's Death |
My heart weighs heavy
today. It has been only a year and yet it feels life forever
ago, as well as just yesterday. I miss her so much.
Lillian and I will be going to visit her ashes today, if
anyone would like to join us we will be there around 4pm. The
Church is: St. Peter's Church, 619 Lexington at 54th Street
Hane
Dear all -
Thanks for the opportunity to remember together. I have been
lighting candles for Dushka these days, and dedicated some UU
choral singing to her memory and inspiration. I wish to visit
her resting place, echoing with music and reflecting warm
sunlight, next time I am in NYC. Best wishes Joanna
dushka is
gone
dushka is gone
have you seen dushka?
the first year
of timelessness passed on
dushka tested
her new-found freedom & fresh
legs romping across the fields of elysium
& tramping around the garden of eden
to inquisitize angels & learn the facts
she wandered the golden streets of paradise
& was offered a mansion
but loving you she decided
to reside in your heart
Bob Schneck
Barely a day has
passed this past year that I do not remember Dushka, and send
her my best wishes for her continued life, now unbound, she lives on in eternity.
Stephen E Foster
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A brief encounter
years ago brought the light to me from her. Now she is in the
heart of the light in a journey. Let we remember.
Victor Acosta Andreotti
Terrigal, Central Coast , NSW, Australia
At the end of our last
telephone conversation on Thursday (you were at Calvary) and I
was telling you about going to visit my grandson for a while.
You said: Sara, I wish you joy with your grandchildren. And I
said: And we send you joy.
All of us who were there with Dushka during that week saw once
again how extraordinary she was, she was herself. Cheerful,
unafraid, how clearly and quietly I heard her say on Tuesday -
I'm going to Calvary tomorrow. She didn't seem to be any
different in front of her death than she had been in front of
her life.
Our love is with you.
Sara Briggs
In January 2009 I was
participant of a 4th Way seminar in Claymont, WV. I will
always be grateful to Deborah Rose Longo for bringing up the
idea of visiting Dushka in N.Y. after our seminar. About 16
Russians, Australians, Italians, Germans and Americans were
heading toward the Big Apple in 3 cars, paying attention not
to lose each other on the highway or in the busy traffic of
N.Y.
After 5 hours we enter the Hudson tunnel almost the same time,
that plane came down the Hudson River. What a crazy day! We
bought bagels for everyone at Dushka's favourite place and
entered her appartment. Imagine 16 people in this tiny room,
Dushka lying on the bed, telling amazing stories, answering
questions and allowing everyone to take fotos. Like a popstar.
Even though her body was obviously weakened,
she was such a remarkable person full of life and spirit.
When she talked about Movements and demonstrated arm
positions, she had such a precision and awareness beyond
everything.
She was sharing her memories in her sparkling and humorous
way, as if we
were a bunch of old friends and the hours passed away just
like the blink
of an eye.
Thank you Dushka,
your light will always shine
Angela Gobelin
Hamburg, Germany
Farewell and fare forward
Dushka -
May your collective legacy contributions and efforts to make the
Work accessible, your outreach and generosity, your search for
authenticity regardless of outer form, all live long in the
hearts and minds of those who have known you.
Your call for reconciliation and collaboration is resonant ...
and yes, it is up to ourselves!
With love and appreciation ~ Joanna Schlesinger
We first met the
wonderful free spirit of Dushka in 1960 when we took movements
with her dear mother at the NY Gurdjieff Foundation. Our group
leader Lord Pentland suggested starting a work related
bookstore when we moved to Colorado in 1970. Since 1984 we moved
to Arizona and still buy and sell books. We enjoyed talking over
the phone with Dushka recently regarding her book and other
interests. We cherish these memories.
Thank you for keeping us in the loop...
All our best wishes,
Jim & Janice Quigno Hill
I have not
been in New York for so long, and the Halifax days are long past
as well. I wish I had had more contact with Dushka, and Mrs.
Howarth--what I did have left memories of something very fine,
and respect for their knowledge of the Movements that they gave
so clearly and with such careful
attention. So many will continue to miss them both, but continue
to draw from the
memories.
Karen George
Dear Friends of
the Gurdjieff Heritage Society,
It was with a great sense of loss when we heard of Dushka's
death. Her passing will not only leave a void in our lives, but
in the hearts of all those who knew her. Dushka will always
remain within our heart.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you and her relatives.
With our deepest sympathy,
Gurdjieff's Work from Cali - Colombia S.A.
A Teacher, A Friend
Someone who has the Work within, naturally - with Joy, Love.
Someone who was in Herself. And balanced Life and Work in a
perfect way. To her, Working was not "something to do" but her
natural way to be.
Bye Dushka!
kalil
I first met Dushka
several years ago in her apartment. We spoke for over two hours, I
mostly listening as she spoke of her father and her many experiences with him in Paris, her
liquid eyes flashing and her voice full of force. When I handed
her a box of chocolate at my leaving it felt as though no time had
passed. Certainly "psychological time" had stopped. It was a
meeting not to be forgotten.
William Patrick Patterson
I've known of Dushka for may
years but only once had the pleasure of meeting with her.
(Thanks to the initiative of Deborah Rose) The three or so
hours passed very quickly and the quality of the stories,
ideas, information and Being of Dushka made it fairly easy to
attend to her. At the time she was still working on the tail
end of the publishing process and thinking about ways to
distribute her book. I am so pleased that she was able to
complete her work in that regard.
Despite her inability to even sit up she still radiated an
extraordinary strength, clarity and presence........I recall
her warm invitation not to be shy and to feel free to
re-connect with her on my own...........and my own
"intentions" to get round to calling her to arrange for
another visit. Now it is too late.
On one level, I hardly knew Dushka, yet I shall remain
eternally thankful for those few hours in which we exchanged
all manner of useful material/ideas and good feelings.
Dear Dushka, Rest in Peace!
Nick Lento
Dear all & Alls
At this moment, 'feel ready to share a quick passage that
embraces myself with arms of tears and smiles. There goes:
Once some curios eyes landed upon an exquisite Fall-style
leopard-like long-sleeves shirt hung on one of Dushka's
home-closet. Those eyes immediately flashed! She replied
understanding the unsaid undare-request that she wasn't ready,
yet, to give me that one-shirt. 'left it there hanging near
her bed, behind her head.
When the moment came she carefully as always left that
one-shirt-birthday surprise for me. THANK YOU SO MUCH DEAR
SOUL-FRIEND
"Being your slave, what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire?
I have no precious time at all to spend,
Nor services to do, till you require.
Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hour
Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,
Nor think the bitterness of absence sour,
When you have bid your servant once adieu;
Nor dare I question with my jealous thought
Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,
But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought
Save, where you are how happy you make those:
So true a fool is love, that in your will ..." --
W.Shakespeare (Sonnet LVII)
*she shall hold a spinning mill*
*with love --Nylaia (Silvia Prado dos Anjos)*
When I find
myself missing my "big sistah", I reflect on what she might tell
me: "Don't mourn me, dear. You can honor me best by focusing
on YOUR Work. Be strong."
Within the first 36 hours of her death, I heard a certain song 3
times. On the seventh day I heard it again......."Somewhere
over the rainbow....that's where you'll find me...."
Christos Anesti!
Dushka, dear heart, passed away. . . .
. To see her, to spend some time with her was always for me a
main reason to stay in New York City several days longer. To
talk to her, not just about Movements and Gurdjieff Work, no,
to talk about everything, to laugh, to enjoy little things.
Once, preparing to visit her I thought what to bring, and one
friend of mine suggested: cook for her, make lunch or dinner. My
mother always sent her with me home-made pies or other little
things, but that time it was about making a Real Big Meal,
home-made. I thought it would be a good idea. I called Dushka in
the morning, and said that I would like to cook for her, and
asked whether she had any preferences. She kept silence for a
moment and then replayed, slowly, with such a dignity: you know,
dear, it is too early to say (it was about 10:30 a.m.), I
usually have my coffee about 11:00 a.m., and until I have it, I
cant tell, what I would like for lunch, just come, and let us
order a lunch from a new restaurant that was recently opened in
the nearest block, I want to try it. I loooooved her for such
things! It was her way of living, even staying in bed with a
broken hip, she still remained a Diva.
To choose from which restaurant to order, to go through all
delivery menus she had it has been always a special ritual
that she enjoyed a lot. It has been always mixed with fun
stories about food, people, events. . . . . She kept the menus
in old plastic bags, and I thought that next time when I come, I
bring her a beautiful bag, and she would put the menus there.
There will be no next time now . . . . . If you want to do
something for somebody whom you love do it now, dont wait,
life is so short, even if its long . . . .
I loved you, Dushka, and I got a very beautiful bag for you, I
put a recipe of the Gurdjieff Salad inside it, and each time I
make it, I will think about you.
Thank you for everything,
your Elena from Moscow.
We have heard the news from
Deborah Rose. All Moscow people who new Dushka personally, via
phone or through her recommendations on movements are
expressing their deep regret on Ms. Howarth passing to other
world...
We already have several copies of the book here in Moscow and
will
keep informing people about this book.
Tonight we dedicated our movements class to Dushka and danced for
her
peaceful return to our common Father.
With best regards,
Alexandra Kharitonova
Moscow
This is a shock. It feels
like a terrible loss. It is so good that she was able to struggle
through and complete the book.
M. Kuhl
I send my condolences on the
passing of Dushka Howarth.
With loving blessings.
Joseph Rael ~ Beautiful Painted Arrow
Dushka's sense of service to the Work has
helped us all. Yet, what truly stands out to me is that she was
herself.
Warmly,
Elizabeth Nicholls Brower
I'll never forget my conversations with
Dushka. Active listening was a necessity but always worth the
effort. There was a wisdom of a different kind, indirect,
between the lines. She was uniquely extraordinary.
Greg Loy
With gratitude and prayers for Dushka,
peace be on her soul and may we live what we learned from her.
Barbara Devitt
Annapolis Maryland
Dushka, who I knew for most of my life,
was an indefatigable spirit. She had the tenacity of a bulldog
with a bone, but responded with generosity and thankfulness to
those who sat with her and listened to her stories which will
live after her for a long time. We shared godmothers and
extraordinary experiences with her father. She enriched the
lives of those within her ken.
PB Taylor
I had the honor to share a lot with this
great woman during my stay in New York. Thank you Dushka. For
your light. For your laughter. For your love. I will never
forget you.
Eva Escol, Barcelona, Spain
Surviving on will power, Dushka finished her work for the Work and
then let go. We are all in her debt.
A great spirit, bless her.
Jim George
Farewell, dear Dushka. Rest in peace.
Renate Leisten,
Ancona, Italy
Easter 2010
Dear All,
I'm very sorry to hear that Dushka passed away. I had her on the
phone recently to compliment her on her book. What she says
about movements in that book is important for all of us. Another
living legacy is gone. I wish her all the good there is, and
strength to the people that will miss her.
Ockwe de Boer. Holland.
We are very grieving that Dushka Howarth
no more with us.
Today all the members of Gyumri Gurdjieff center will put the
candles in
St. Sev Jiam Church in Aleksandrapol-Gyumri in the birthplace
of Dushka
Howarths father G. I. Gurdjieff.
We all will prey for the memory of Dushka Howarth.
Avetik Melik-Sargsyan
Armenia
Dushka reminded us that we can be
courteous and friendly
to all those who are sincerely interested in Mr. Gurdjieff's
Work. This is not a small thing, to externally consider. She
will be missed by those of us who work in Russia.
Alan Francis
Gurdjieff Center for Russian Studies
Moscow, Russia
Dushka did not tolerate fools, yet she
easily forgave my foolishness, as when she'd address a rude
interruption: "Excuse me, I'm not finished." And she made me blush
when she claimed to like my soft beard when we kissed each other.
With her passing, we may have lost the last personal connection to
George Ivanovich's teaching. Whether singing for Soviet
potentates, or attending the court at the Prieur, Dushka
traversed the arc of recent history, mixing the sacred with the
secular to the benefit of both.
Like her father, Dushka was frank and forthright, qualities that
did not endear her to
existing hierarchies. "There were no 'group leaders' back in those
days," she pointed out emphatically, a reality underscored by the
title of her book: "It's Up To Ourselves."
In the past several years, Dushka was focused on writing and
editing her opus, just as her father had labored on his own
Herculean task. The successful publication of her book has brought
an amazing life to a resounding resolution that will bring insight
and elucidation for generations to come.
-- George Beke
While, unfortunately, I never knew him directly, Dushka seemed
to radiate the same sense of humor and compassion I've often
read attributed to her father. She was always eager to relate
meaningful episodes in her life, and her book is full of
anecdotes that make it easier to understand her struggle and
that of her mother. Her warm generosity in the coziness of her
apartment always put me at ease. One was eager to help her with
simple things like heating a pot of water for tea or pouring a
liqueur, which she never drank but always offered to visitors
along with chocolate "bon bons". She was adamant about doing
the Movements correctly, and sometimes would make one stand up
in front of her to demonstrate a position so she could
appropriately advise on its accuracy. She was a multi-talented
lady with experiences that would fill 5 lifetimes for most. Her
loving smile and her radiance will be what I remember most. --
Alan Glassman, Philadelphia Foundation
Rest in
peace, my friend. I am so much richer for knowing you.
We will meet again.
Love never dies.
Love always,
Susan Boulden
Music Director, Church of Conscious Harmony
Austin, Texas
I,
along with hundreds of others, will miss
her. We are greatly enhanced for having
known her and participating in her book
completion and related projects within the
G-H-S. As her website's webmaster and
friend, I felt honored to know her and to
contribute in some manner to Dushka as she
did to my own life.
Now
she is liberated from the surly bonds of earth and lives on in our
hearts, as she continues in her Work. Well done Dushka ~
"Bravo Sophia!"
Stephen E Foster
3-28-2010
Book
Comments & Additional Special Memoriams
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