Very Very Helpful V'Ann (by Jimmy Lucas)

It seems only yesterday when Mrs. Cornelius so generously offered me the scholarship to the 2005 PCOC Convention. She introduced me to the world of supercomplex origami. Back then, only two years ago, I was folding out of 6" kami models too demanding for such unprofessional paper. Even though my creations, like the modified Lang Hermit Crab I submitted for the 2005 Hermit Crab competition, were horribly mediocre, V"Ann kindly offered me exhibit space to show off my small menagerie.

I remember enthusiastically taking her PCOC classes, on vases and picture frames. I still have pictures of my experiences there in Phoenix. She introduced me briefly to Dr Lang, John Montroll, and several more origami enthusiasts. At the time I had no idea what sort of impact her efforts would have on me.

Just two months before she passed, she offered to let me exhibit my Flying Camel at the Mingei Museum in San Diego. Unfortunately it was after I received the camel back that I discovered her gone.

 Though I did not know her as well as I would like, I can never forget all the little things she has done for me. I deeply regret that I couldn't truly say "thank you" while she was still alive.