Reponses from Friends and Family
Dear Shaoping,
I am so saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved husband Len.
I read with joy the life the two of you have shared, the life of Len Moss who made such a difference in the world through his teachings and his writings. He passed his wisdom, intelligence, and his passion onto his son, Eli as you have also done. What beautiful remembrances you will have of Len. Len's writings will live on, and so will yours and the joys of life that you both shared.
I know how much you loved Len; I remember your speaking of him with such love, and as I read his obituary, I remembered you telling me how you both met, and the wonderful love story that ensued. Both Len and you are treasures; your son Eli and your daughter-in-law, Sara, I am so glad that you have these two wonderful people in your life.
Shaoping, your love and Len's love will forever live in your heart. I know how much you will miss him.
Do know how much I love you and I express my heartfelt sympathy to you, Eli, and Sara.
I will stay in touch.
With all my love,
Rosemary Jackson, Springfield, MA
I am so saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved husband Len.
I read with joy the life the two of you have shared, the life of Len Moss who made such a difference in the world through his teachings and his writings. He passed his wisdom, intelligence, and his passion onto his son, Eli as you have also done. What beautiful remembrances you will have of Len. Len's writings will live on, and so will yours and the joys of life that you both shared.
I know how much you loved Len; I remember your speaking of him with such love, and as I read his obituary, I remembered you telling me how you both met, and the wonderful love story that ensued. Both Len and you are treasures; your son Eli and your daughter-in-law, Sara, I am so glad that you have these two wonderful people in your life.
Shaoping, your love and Len's love will forever live in your heart. I know how much you will miss him.
Do know how much I love you and I express my heartfelt sympathy to you, Eli, and Sara.
I will stay in touch.
With all my love,
Rosemary Jackson, Springfield, MA
Very Dear Shaoping,
I read the news with emotion but no surprise. I watch the video of the beautiful ceremony you planned for Len, and understood your grief for the loss of the companion of your life and father of your very special son. Your eulogies, the poems of Emily Dickinson, the songs of the birds were a spectacular goodbye to your dear husband. It was a meaningful, simple and sincere ceremony in a well-chosen place of eternal peace.
I hope you are well and that your cats provide you with good company. Give yourself time to adjust and enjoy your new life. I also hope the pools will reopen soon to allow for better health.
Daily life at our age is made of small joys, and improved comfort. Let’s not be distressed by the dramatic situation around us and let’s patiently wait for the time when we can meet again. Normally I would have gone to Mt. Holyoke College and walked around the lake in memory of our long friendship and of Len’s lucky life, but ... it is no longer possible since the campus has been shut down...
Dear Shaoping, stay strong and call me when you feel like it. All my love,
Nicole Vaget, Northampton, MA
I read the news with emotion but no surprise. I watch the video of the beautiful ceremony you planned for Len, and understood your grief for the loss of the companion of your life and father of your very special son. Your eulogies, the poems of Emily Dickinson, the songs of the birds were a spectacular goodbye to your dear husband. It was a meaningful, simple and sincere ceremony in a well-chosen place of eternal peace.
I hope you are well and that your cats provide you with good company. Give yourself time to adjust and enjoy your new life. I also hope the pools will reopen soon to allow for better health.
Daily life at our age is made of small joys, and improved comfort. Let’s not be distressed by the dramatic situation around us and let’s patiently wait for the time when we can meet again. Normally I would have gone to Mt. Holyoke College and walked around the lake in memory of our long friendship and of Len’s lucky life, but ... it is no longer possible since the campus has been shut down...
Dear Shaoping, stay strong and call me when you feel like it. All my love,
Nicole Vaget, Northampton, MA
Len and Robbert Enjoy a Chat, 2009
Dear Shaoping,
My heart aches for you, Eli and Sarah. I feel your pain, as I believe I know how you feel since I lost my own husband just two month ago. It is an experience I don’t wish on any wife in the world.
I attached two pictures I took on 10/17/2009 at my house. The two gentlemen, Len and Robert, were enjoying a good chat after dinner. Len always liked my cooking and he was the most appreciative guest I had ever had. I am so glad that the last time we were in California we got to visit you both at your home. Moving to the west seemed to have given Len a new strength of life and his paintings were wonderful! Oh, how I wish we could get together and have that family meal at my house and see those two wonderful men, your love and mine, together again. Perhaps now they will meet in the eternal place. Yes, I believe they will meet in the eternal place!
I am crying as I am writing this. You have been a true friend to me. And I am here for you. Call me anytime and I will call to check on you.
With love,
Yan Shen Drabek, Florence, Massachusetts, June 6, 2020
My heart aches for you, Eli and Sarah. I feel your pain, as I believe I know how you feel since I lost my own husband just two month ago. It is an experience I don’t wish on any wife in the world.
I attached two pictures I took on 10/17/2009 at my house. The two gentlemen, Len and Robert, were enjoying a good chat after dinner. Len always liked my cooking and he was the most appreciative guest I had ever had. I am so glad that the last time we were in California we got to visit you both at your home. Moving to the west seemed to have given Len a new strength of life and his paintings were wonderful! Oh, how I wish we could get together and have that family meal at my house and see those two wonderful men, your love and mine, together again. Perhaps now they will meet in the eternal place. Yes, I believe they will meet in the eternal place!
I am crying as I am writing this. You have been a true friend to me. And I am here for you. Call me anytime and I will call to check on you.
With love,
Yan Shen Drabek, Florence, Massachusetts, June 6, 2020
Dear Shaoping,
I am saddened by your news, and am weeping with you.
Reading your book, "Growing Up in Mao's China," introduced me to Len—although I had met him once at a dinner party at our friend Nicole's—, I understand why Len was, and will ever be, your dear husband, teacher, and best friend.
Hearing and reading Eli's letter and yours is very moving. Thank you so much for sharing the tributes to Len. There is much love in your family and what is more important than love? May Len's enduring wisdom and love be soothing to you, Eli and Sarah.
You are very much in my thoughts, dear Shaoping,
Catherine Bloom, Northampton, MA
Hi Shaoping and Eli,
We got the terrible news last night about Len’s passing. It is unimaginable what you are feeling now. I look back over the years that I knew Len with a sweet nostalgia mixed with love and respect. He had a kind and gentle nature that put everyone in his life at ease. He was able to build bridges with optimism while upholding the highest ethics. There will never be anyone else like him. We are holding you in our hearts and sending deep condolences across the miles. Please let us know the arrangements and plans for services.
Love,
Tom and Sandra, Boston, MA
I am saddened by your news, and am weeping with you.
Reading your book, "Growing Up in Mao's China," introduced me to Len—although I had met him once at a dinner party at our friend Nicole's—, I understand why Len was, and will ever be, your dear husband, teacher, and best friend.
Hearing and reading Eli's letter and yours is very moving. Thank you so much for sharing the tributes to Len. There is much love in your family and what is more important than love? May Len's enduring wisdom and love be soothing to you, Eli and Sarah.
You are very much in my thoughts, dear Shaoping,
Catherine Bloom, Northampton, MA
Hi Shaoping and Eli,
We got the terrible news last night about Len’s passing. It is unimaginable what you are feeling now. I look back over the years that I knew Len with a sweet nostalgia mixed with love and respect. He had a kind and gentle nature that put everyone in his life at ease. He was able to build bridges with optimism while upholding the highest ethics. There will never be anyone else like him. We are holding you in our hearts and sending deep condolences across the miles. Please let us know the arrangements and plans for services.
Love,
Tom and Sandra, Boston, MA
Dear Shaoping,
I just finished reading the text and looking at the pictures in the totally amazing tribute you and your family wrote about your dear husband. I never met him, but he sounds like he was an outstanding husband, father, friend, educator and writer. You both looked so very happy together in the pictures and the experiences you shared sounded wonderful!! I even share the same name, Pauline, as Len's mother!!
I am so very, very sorry for your loss—the advice I can give you at this time is to remember all the happy times (and it sounds like there were very many of them)—it helps. I wish I could come to your house and give you a big hug and sit with you to reminisce—hopefully one of these days real soon, we can do that. I would love to hear some more of the stories of your happy times together.
In the meantime, I am here if you want to call, or we could meet across the street on the grass next to the table tennis building for a visit.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Love and hugs,
Pauline Elgie, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, CA
Dear Shaoping,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful family traditions even in your moments of profound loss and grief. And, I have listened to the moving funeral service for your dear husband Leonard Moss. . . very beautiful good-byes!
Mourning is difficult and painful and often brings emotions that are all over the place. I hope that remembrances of 'lives well-lived,’ will bring some comfort and peace. And, in all of this, we live in excruciatingly difficult times.
Right now, I too am struggling with some difficult emotions.
Maybe we can get together not too long from now - with our facemasks and 6 ft. distance.
Best wishes for your safety and well being,
Adriane van Bergen, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, CA
Oh, Shaoping!
I'm so sorry to hear this. Len is gone.
But 33 years of marriage! What a wonderful, creative and productive life together. What magnificent memories you must have.
It will be so difficult for a while. It's been a full five weeks now and I still can't quite believe June has gone and will never come back. And yet I am slowly coming to accept it. The difficulty is that I am living in the home that June and I shared in Rossmoor for 17 years. She is everywhere.
I imagine you will continue to live in the apartment you shared with Len. Well, that will have a good side to it too.
Both Len and June died in their 88th year. We were both blessed in their presence. My deepest condolences.
Gene Gordon, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, California
Dear Shaoping,
Ning and I were so very sad to hear the news of Len's passing. I really feel for you and Eli at this very difficult time. I spent this morning reading your family website and recalling all I remember of Len. If there's one thing I can be proud of achieving it's that I was instrumental in bringing the two of you together (with Phyl's help, of course!). You had such a long and happy marriage and were clearly meant for each other. Eli has lost a wonderful father. Len must have been so proud of his son.
I do hope you are managing OK in these strange times. Are Eli and Sara with you or are you on your own? Do you have a lot of restrictions? We are still living under lockdown here in the UK. I don't know when things will return to some semblance of normality. Stephen and Lili are stuck in Beijing. I told them about Len, and Stephen said he would write to you.
Much love to you, Eli and Sara and do keep in touch.
Elisabeth Hallett, Oxford, UK
Shaoping,
So very sorry to learn that Len has passed away. What wonderful adventures you have had together.
It is so hard to lose your life companion and love of your life. We are never ready even though we know our time is measured
My deepest empathy, your time together was sweet and your love for each other deep.
It has been my honor to know both of you.
Prayers for your pain at this loss.
Lois Wright Morton, Iowa
I was so sorry to learn about Lenny’s passing away. He was such a bright and nice person. I found this picture from our yearbook and thought his family would like to see it. My condolences to them.
May Lenny Rest In Peace.
Faith Wachsman Silver, Wyndmoor, PA
Dear Shaoping,
We are deeply saddened by the news of Leonard's death. We were not able to spend a great deal of time with him, but when we did, it was always stimulating and full of his spirited conversation. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
We send our condolences to you and Eli and Sara, as well as our wishes to all of you for long life, good health, and healing. May your sorrow be eased by your memories of that wonderful man.
With affectionate regards,
Jonathan and Ann, Eugene, Oregon
Dear Shaoping,
Russ shared your email about Leonard’s passing. Shaoping, I’m so sorry. I read your eulogy, Eli’s eulogy and letter to his dad, and Leonard’s own obituary, and was deeply touched. What a remarkable man! I’m sorry I didn’t get to know him, but I’m getting a glimpse of Leonard through your and Eli’s beautiful sharings.
If there’s anything you need in the future please don’t hesitate to ask me.
I’m thinking of you and Eli and Sara and sending love to you all.
Sally Shimizu, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, CA
Dear Shaoping,
I now read and saw the entire website and feel as though I have a really good picture of Len and your wonderful life together! He seems to have been not only an incredible husband and father, but also a devoted professor and a terrific, fun-loving friend. I believe I only met him one or two times, but now I have a really good sense of the person he was. I want to read his books, too to learn more of his intellect! May you and your son, along with extended family and friends, find comfort in your memories of those many years of love!
Shalom,
Elaine Harris, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, CA
