GMG Classical Music Forum

Announcements => GMG News => Topic started by: Gurn Blanston on December 12, 2015, 11:32:50 AM

Title: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Gurn Blanston on December 12, 2015, 11:32:50 AM
If you have been a member here for a long time, you certainly remember one of our initial members and early moderators, Uffeviking.

Lis was as big a Wagner fan as there is, and was always delighted to share her interest with like-minded people. She was also a regular opera fan, from Monteverdi to John Adams and everyone in between. You will see her name often in the opera section, as the thread starter for 'General Opera News' and 'Opera on DVD'.

For me personally, Lis has been a very close friend for the last 12 years. We exchanged email at least twice a week in all that time. Her sharp wit and forthright views always made discussion a pleasure. In the last few years she withdrew from the public discussion arena, but right up until her passing on Friday, December 11, she was a keen observer of events, both musical and of news around the world.

Her friends include people from all over Europe and Asia as well as the USA, and we will all miss her greatly.

Rest in peace, my friend. :'(

Gurn
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Holden on December 12, 2015, 12:03:01 PM
Sad news indeed about the passing of one of our veteran members. I was always intrigued by her forum name, to the point where I plucked up the courage to ask its origin as politely as I could. Her reply was both gracious and informative.

Requiescat in Pace
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Brahmsian on December 12, 2015, 12:08:18 PM
Very sad to hear the news of a passing GMG member, Gurn.   :(   Rest in peace, Lis.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Todd on December 12, 2015, 01:21:09 PM
Sad news.  When I was devoting a lot of time to opera, she possessed a wealth of knowledge that she loved to share, and she and I exchanged some recordings.  She was a very gracious person.  She will be missed.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: SonicMan46 on December 12, 2015, 01:52:46 PM
Hi Gurn - thanks for the post - sad indeed to hear about the passing of Lis - although I was virtually never in the opera forum, we did exchange some posts elsewhere and always enjoyed.  Dave  :(
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: bhodges on December 12, 2015, 01:53:27 PM
Very sad news. And like Todd (and no doubt others), she sent me several recordings - completely unsolicited, she just thought I'd like them. I was always impressed with her knowledge, and her vivacious (in her 80s and 90s!) spirit. My only regret is that we never met in person.

--Bruce
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on December 12, 2015, 05:09:51 PM
This is very sad news, indeed. Lis was one of the very first forumites I got to know through PM's back in the day. It was always a great pleasure reading her musings on the opera comings-and-goings. Her insight was impressive. Her "Wagner Fever" will be missed!


Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: david johnson on December 13, 2015, 01:47:17 AM
sad news.  God bless.  :(
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: springrite on December 13, 2015, 03:32:20 AM
One of the members I really would love to have met. She sent me a couple of recordings as well.  I treasure them very much, especially the little known opera The Bear which she sent me when she heard that Kimi's nick name was Baby Bear (and me and my wife Papa Bear and Mommy Bear). That was a very special touch indeed!

She will be missed.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Cato on December 13, 2015, 04:32:41 AM
Interesting: I had done a search on something a few days ago here at GMG, and came across a page from a few years  ago with comments by Uffeviking, and wondered what had happened.

So, yes, many prayers for her and her family!
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: knight66 on December 13, 2015, 07:33:38 AM
Lis had been a good friend right since I joined the group of moderators and we kept in touch after she withdrew from the action. As others have attested, she was warmhearted and generous. Even in her final years she was making new friends across the world; one in particular, a Chinese musician, who I hope has the news and is not left in doubt.

She had a very lively mind and a strong personality. There were many, many amusing tales of her experiences of employing gardeners and handymen and cleaners for help in her late years. One cherished gardener was hauled off and imprisoned as a drug dealer, Lis promptly replaced him with his brother, whom she was sure had not been involved.

A lovely friend I will miss her.

Mike
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Que on December 13, 2015, 07:37:50 AM
Sad to hear of the loss of someone who has meant much to the forum and to many of its members.
Lis was one of the moderators when I was invited to join their forces, many years ago.
She withdrew as a moderator soon after, so unfortunately we never got to know each very well.

My heart goes out to her family and friends, including those here at the forum.

Q
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 14, 2015, 04:52:42 AM
Sorry to learn that such a good heart has been stilled.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Florestan on December 14, 2015, 05:10:50 AM
Sad news. May she rest in peace.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Harry on December 14, 2015, 09:20:06 AM
Yes I remember Lis well, and although we never met in person, I admired her knowledge, and enthusiasm. A great loss, and I mourn her deeply. May she be happy wherever she is now. O, dear. :(
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Super Blood Moon on December 15, 2015, 12:11:59 PM
Sorry to hear this.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: vandermolen on December 15, 2015, 12:19:20 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on December 14, 2015, 04:52:42 AM
Sorry to learn that such a good heart has been stilled.
+1
Sorry to hear this sad news.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: André on December 15, 2015, 05:16:30 PM
I'm very sad to learn of her passing. Lis sent me dozens of discs of live recordings by Celibidache, whom she revered as a conductor. Her advocacy was made up of genuine insight, knowledge and, most of all, a deeply felt personal understanding of music. An indomitable spirit.

Love,

André
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: jochanaan on December 15, 2015, 06:47:57 PM
Her wit and wisdom will surely be missed.  :'( Walk in beauty, friend.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Dungeon Master on December 16, 2015, 02:15:40 AM
Lis was a treasure. She was the only 80+ year old I know who could master the technicalities of the internet, especially the moderating of this forum. And not just the technicalities, but the human and fair-mindedness of being a great moderator. Her signature was "Kindlein liebet einander!" - "Children, love one another!".

And here is a sample of how she admonished a wayward member (from 2006!):
QuoteYou should by now know that GMG is a forum for discussions of classical music, not a place to display your uncivilised, uncultured gutter language. Take it where you picked it up: In the gutter, but keep it out of here!
I thank you, politely!
uffeviking

Years ago, when we moved to Vancouver for a few years, she invited me to her home in NY (Vancouver being closer than Canberra), and I am sorry I could never take her up on her offer. She was a true lady. Sadly missed.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Drasko on December 16, 2015, 02:49:39 PM
Sad news. Rest in peace, Lis.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Daverz on December 16, 2015, 06:24:43 PM
I'm touched by the remembrances on thread.  I wish I had been more aware, I only remember the charming moniker.  How can I read her old posts?
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Dungeon Master on December 18, 2015, 02:45:11 AM
Quote from: Daverz on December 16, 2015, 06:24:43 PM
How can I read her old posts?

The old forum is still up (read-only) here: http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/

Lis had the distinction of making the last ever post on that forum before it migrated here.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Marc on December 18, 2015, 03:30:22 AM
Just read this today.
I definitely remember her from the good ole GMG forum.
I always thought she was a very nice person.

May she rest in peace.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Pat B on December 29, 2015, 09:24:04 PM
And now I just saw this.

I think she had largely "retired" from the forum by the time I joined, but I have read enough old posts to recognize her as a great lover of music and a wise moderator.

May she rest in peace.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Bogey on December 30, 2015, 05:50:51 AM
I, like you, just saw this thread.  She was one of the pillars here and will be missed.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: knight66 on December 31, 2015, 06:54:18 AM
Quote from: Dungeon Master on December 16, 2015, 02:15:40 AM
Lis was a treasure. She was the only 80+ year old I know who could master the technicalities of the internet, especially the moderating of this forum. And not just the technicalities, but the human and fair-mindedness of being a great moderator. Her signature was "Kindlein liebet einander!" - "Children, love one another!".

And here is a sample of how she admonished a wayward member (from 2006!): 

You should by now know that GMG is a forum for discussions of classical music, not a place to display your uncivilised, uncultured gutter language. Take it where you picked it up: In the gutter, but keep it out of here!
I thank you, politely!
uffeviking

Years ago, when we moved to Vancouver for a few years, she invited me to her home in NY (Vancouver being closer than Canberra), and I am sorry I could never take her up on her offer. She was a true lady. Sadly missed.

That made me smile; it was very characteristically Lis.

Mike
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: zamyrabyrd on January 02, 2016, 06:13:01 AM
Wow, sorry to hear that.
Title: Re: RIP Lis Shiveley (Uffeviking)
Post by: Sean on January 15, 2016, 09:40:02 PM
All very sobering. I recall exchanging messages with her in my crazier days ten years back. Best wishes.