‘Farewell Wish’ Saddens Columnist’s Readers, Friends

Twenty years ago, in a room crowded with inflated male egos, there stepped a red-headed woman whose boundless energy brought all the posturing and proselytizing to silence.

She greeted each of them individually, as old friends would, even though she had hardly met any of them before. With a “Honey” here and a “Dearie” there, she proceeded, in about 20 minutes, to send them all happily on their way to organize yet another event at which the honoree would be the President of the United States.

Her stunning looks and easy manner made an indelible impression on me as a young political novice standing in the crowd.

Like many others, I will miss her columns, but I will always cherish the times she allowed me, through them, to be a part of her life. There aren’t many Zan Thompsons in this world. In fact, she is truly one of a kind.

BRUCE B. DECKER

Beverly Hills