Sad News

[gottahaveahoove]

I hope/trust Robert will allow this in THIS forum, as, it is important for all of us. I was notified, that Anne Taber, Alex Taber's (Co founder of The VCCC) mother, the FIRST secretary, passed away the other day, just shy of her 94th birthday. She helped greatly in the early days of The VCCC (The club and Vacuumland were 'one' before they were separated a few years back.
She went peacefully. Alex is sad., but getting along. Anne was a huge help, I understand, in the early days. All of the letters, correspondence, etc were complied, largely , by her. We saw her as few years ago at annual convention. I'm glad ,proud, and grateful that I was able to meet the woman who helped our club from the very inception.
Rest, Dear Anne, and thank you, on behalf of the entire VCCC and the vacuum world.

 

[compactc9guy]

My Sympathies

 

[eurekaprince]

My heartfelt condolences to Alex and his family. I hope fond memories will provide some comfort at this sad time.

“Sunrise, sunset...swiftly flow the years...”

EP Brian

 

[kirbysthebest]

My deepest condolence

Alex:


I am so sorry for your loss. 


Going through some things with my Mom at this time, so I can sympathize as well as empathize.

 

[caligula]

Sad news.

While I've been away for a few years I did want to stop by and take a moment to thank Gottahaveahoove for very touching words at this rough time.

Later this morning I will post a tribute to my mom, but for now, let me just say that she made a confusing time of starting a club, relatively easy.

But the one thing that will always stick out in my mind is that she was not happy about my vacuum cleaner interests. So it was a case of 'if you can't beat em, join em,' and may I add, when she did, she wowed us all.

Alex Taber.

 

[caligula]

Info on Anne Rowan Taber.

Here's the link if you want to see the obituary on Anne.

https://www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com/notices/Anne-Taber

 

[caligula]

In tribute to Anne Rowan Taber.

To most here at Vacuumland, and for that matter the V.C.C.C. the name Anne Taber doesn't mean much, but she was the backbone of both. She was also our first 'den mother. 'An executive secretary by profession, she helped draft the first three newsletters. She then went on to polish and perfect the others for that first year. In addition, she wrote the form letters to new members and the paperwork for registration and so on. And it was her idea of a non electric pumper, the Baby Daisy, as our logo. She even dreamed up the name of our first classified section. 'The Swap-Box.'

On the weekend of May 4, 5, and 6, 1985 she hosted the first club meeting, and helped draft the original by-laws and other rules and regulations.

While we had only five active members and three auxiliary, mom included, she was a powerhouse! Through her, we contacted Air-Way, Electrolux, Filter Queen, Kirby, and others, but we got no place. The only door open to us was Hoover, which was in fact our birthplace. Through Anne, the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club flourished and the newsletters took on a professional look.


Those who met her will recall that soft Scottish accent, love of a good story and hearty laugh. But when it came to the club, she was tough as nails.

Alex Taber.

 

[kenkart]

Very Sorry Alex

I never met your Mother but remember hearing a lot about her.

 

[electrolux-dude]

To Alex

Alex, I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother, I know she will be dearly missed. I still miss my Mother who passed in 2015, and miss my Dad who passed away a year ago this month. So my condolences go out to you. Sincerely, Nathan L Thomas, Electrolux Dude

 

[caligula]

Thank you.

Hi Ken kart and Nathan:

I tried to keep the tribute as short as possible, the true power was in the newsletters. She turned me into the writer I am now.

Once again thanks' to both of you, and all those who posted.
Alex.

 

[portable]

Though we've already spoken, Alex, again I send you my condolences. Your Mom was one of a kind. In addition to all she did for the Club over the years, she was a memorable lady. I'm glad you were there to see to her needs through the last years of her life.

Rest in Peace, Anne.

 

[caligula]

Thank you John.

You were the first one to meet mom, and at that time we had no idea we were about to embark on a life altering venture. If memory serves you were going to go to Hoover on your own, and mom suggested we go together. A stroke of genius!

A few years later, I was living in Chicago and planning a get-together of the five of us, when my housemate informed me I couldn't have it there. Mom, said to me, "have it here!" and we did. In my opinion that was the best meeting we ever held, and the memories I will treasure always.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

How lucky are ALL of us???????

Because of all of the (history), many, many lives were changed. Mine, for example. I'd have never met so many of you, John Lucia..a vert special friend to me, and a host of others. ....Tom Anderson, of course, and on and on....
We all owe you guys, AND Dear Anne, a debt of gratitude.

 

[caligula]

Thank you Mr. Long.

Years before John Lucia and I met I was compiling patents of primarily non-electric vacuum cleaners, and mom was helping me with what we called 'patent books,' and would often stay late at the office typing my research into mini biographies for each book. These, of course were the basis of the newsletters.

But the biggest breakthrough was in August when John Henry who owned the 'Henry' company, and a major source of my vintage machines asked casually if I'd been to the Hoover Historical Center? I hadn't even heard of it. The next words were mom, "that's someplace you have to go see!" A few weeks later I was treated like a VIP by Stacy Krammes. and a year or so later she forwarded the letter from John Lucia seeking info on Hoover models 700 and 150.

None of us knew what a stoke of good luck this was. All of us were in the right place at the right time. But as I have said repeatedly, I was by no means a writer,
mom was the one who get's the credit as she worked her magic, on her own time and provided me with the ability to edit, and publish.

You mentioned 'history' John. that was the key to the club. John Lucia and I thought we were the only ones out there, and when we started the club, it was to teach. We both realized ours was not wasted knowledge, and that we could save others the hassle of digging for answers.

And as I said before, this is the memory of mom that I'll treasure.

 

[westinghouseman]

Sad news for sure.

Dear Alex,
So very sorry, just reading the news of your dear mom's passing today.
A few years ago when she was our guest speaker, I was moved and teary -eyed by your mom's
Eloquent speech and her soft-spoken voice.
May you be comforted, and may your mom, Anne, rest peacefully.
Most sincerely,
Ken Wagman

 

[caligula]

Thank you Ken.

As I haven't been here a few years I've lost contact with many people. I've heard through the grapevine that you had some serious medical issues, but don't know the details. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Alex.

 

[caligula]

As I have no contact info.

I no longer have email contact on anybody here, so drop me a line at [email protected].

 

[westinghouseman]

Ken Wagman's health issue'

Hi Alex,
Yes I'm May of 2016 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. In July of that same year the mass was
Successfully removed. In January 2017 the cancer returned. The surgeon removed what he could and I began BCG treatments through a catheter to my bladder until September 2018 when the cancer had spread throughout my bladder but had not gone through the walls of the bladder.
November 12, I had my bladder and prostate and seminal vessels removed.
I now live with an urostomy bag for the rest of my life. At the end of February I had a PET scan and all looks good. My urologist doesn't need to see me until November.
It was a rough journey, I was off from school for 9 weeks. The last few weeks I feel like myself.
Just returning today from a road trip with my daughter. We were in Ft. Lauderdale for springbreak.
Hope you are doing well. Again, I was saddened to hear about you mom. I am so lucky to have met her.
Take care, Alex.
Ken
[email protected]

 

[caligula]

Oh dear God!

Hi Ken:

I had no idea it was that rough, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Being away for about two years with medical issues of my own, and nothing like this, I lost contact with most of 'the club,' and had no email on anybody.

While I went through pancreatitis in July of 2017, which was akin to a kidney stone in the duct, and then prostate cancer a year ago February, but went with radiation not surgery and still have the prostate, and am cancer-free. Still it was a day at the beach compared to what you went through.

I'm sending a huge bear hug.

Alex.