Evelynne's Rocker

Was saddened too learn of the passing of Evelynne Troyer Spencer here in Hiram on April 15. It reminded me of this iconic image I captured of her and her husband back in 2015. Encountered the couple on their front lawn awaiting the arrival of the Memorial Day parade en route to the local cemetery. Seeing them there with their canes and the old WWII flag in the background, it was so Norman Rockwell. I later presented them with a print of this photo and their obvious delight made me feel wonderful. Evelynne loved sitting in this rocking chair, and it was normally kept on the porch behind her. I would often pass by and see her relaxing there all by herself. I returned to the house this morning and found the empty chair, still sitting on the porch, looking utterly forlorn. I instinctively photographed the chair, just as I found it, much the way instincts led me to photograph the smiling couple on that Memorial Day.

Forlorn, the empty rocker sits on the Spencer's front porch, exactly where Evelynne left if for the last time.

Evelynne and Dick watch the Memorial Day parade, May 2015.