In a somber turn of events, the arts and sports communities are mourning the loss of several prominent figures who passed away recently.
Each of these individuals left an indelible mark in their respective fields, and their contributions will not soon be forgotten.
Peter Schjeldahl, a revered art critic and poet, succumbed to terminal lung cancer at his New York residence on October 21.
He was 80 years old.
His passing was confirmed by the New Yorker on Twitter, where he had been a mainstay since 1998.
Before joining the esteemed magazine, Schjeldahl lent his voice to the Village Voice as an art critic from 1990 to 1998, shaping the discourse around contemporary art with his insightful critiques and poetic prose.
Another loss felt deeply is that of Joanna Simon, who died on October 19 at the age of 85.
The acclaimed mezzo-soprano and Emmy-winning television correspondent was part of the famous Simon sisters, alongside pop sensation Carly Simon.
Joanna made her mark in the opera scene during the 1960s, captivating audiences not just through her performances but also as a beloved guest on numerous TV talk shows, where her charm and wit shone brightly.
The sports world also grieves the death of Jim Boller, who passed away on October 21 due to a lung illness at the age of 70.
Boller was a notable figure in college basketball, having spent five seasons as the head coach of the University of Hawaii women’s basketball team.
His earlier career saw him shine as a center for the University of Pittsburgh’s basketball team, contributing to their Elite Eight run in 1974.