Gone But Not Forgotten

By Marjorie Whitman '01 and Madeline Asplundh '01
In the past three weeks, the world has witnessed the untimely deaths of two unforgettable women.

Diana, Princess of Wales, was a woman of royalty, fashion and mystery. Sixteen years ago, she stumbled into the public eye with her marriage to Prince Charles, heir to England's throne. But, this quiet, shy young woman would never become queen or even live to see her two boys, William and Harry, grow up. On August 31st, her life came to a shocking halt when the car she was riding in crashed at 12:15 am in Paris, France. After many attempts to save her life, doctors declared her dead at 4:57 am. Police have revealed that Henri Paul, the driver of the car, was legally drunk and that the car had reached speeds of up to 120 mph as Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayad evaded tabloid photographers. For Diana this was yet another failed attempt to escape the Paparazzi.

Mother Theresa was a caring, sensitive woman. She dedicated her life to helping others and has been a public figure for at least forty years. On Thursday, September 4th Mother Theresa passed away from a heart attack at the age of 87.

Both women led lives that captured the public's attention. Both women participated in various charities and good will services. And together, both women touched thousands of souls.

Mother Theresa physically tended to the poor and the sick. Diana may not have done as much for the poor directly, but in her own glamorous way she inspired kindness and charity throughout her sixteen years in the spotlight. Diana will be remembered for her stylish, charismatic philanthropy; Mother Theresa for her saintly goodwill.