This past week, one of the co-execs of the Editorial Freelancers Association, another professional organization of which I am a member, was killed in a tragic accident. Her name was Ruth Mullen.
Although I never knew Ruth in the flesh, this news saddened me deeply. It’s amazing how I can feel so connected to some people without ever having met them.
How can I?
For one, she posted on the EFA’s Discussion List and I read her posts. She shared a lot of wisdom. Of course, Ruth had been a freelance editor much longer than I have been, so I took her advice seriously.
Another reason that I felt connected to Ruth is that she was co-exec of the EFA. People who volunteer for unpaid leadership positions in their organizations always command my respect. I am certain that Ruth was very busy in her editing and with her client projects, and the fact that she sacrificed her time and energy to help steer the EFA gave me great respect for her.
A number of EFA members who knew Ruth personally have been posting about this tragedy and about Ruth this past week, and their posts make me wish I had been able to meet her. I am planning to attend EFA’s next conference in August 2022, and I am certain that she would have been there if not for her untimely death.
Her age at the time of her death? I don’t know, and it’s none of my business anyway. I just hope that she did not pass away too young. That is the worst thing–to have one’s life cut short.
The obituary on the EFA website did say that she had a husband and two adult daughters. My heart and prayers go out to them. I cannot even imagine dealing with the unexpected death of a loved one.
Rest in peace, Ruth Mullen. You have inspired many an editor.