Readers recall working with Carol Ivie Readers recall working with Carol Ivie (June 22, 2005)

A welcoming presence in Portola Valley

Editor:

I read with great sadness in this week's Almanac of Carol Ivie's recent death. Her photographs in the Almanac consistently added a special dimension to the stories.

Carol was one of the very first people I met when I began my new position in Portola Valley in September 2003. She and Marjorie Mader appeared on my first day at work to take a picture that ultimately ended up on the back-to-school cover. I was struck at the time with her quiet presence and professional spirit.

As I've read the Almanac over the past two years, I've been impressed with the caliber of Carol's marvelous photographs. She was especially adept at capturing children and young people and her pictures of them always conveyed energy and emotion.

We certainly appreciate the opportunity to have worked with Carol and we will miss her frequent visits to our campuses. It's always a special bonus to have a photographer who understands kids -- Carol was definitely that individual. Anne E. Campbell Superintendent, Portola Valley School District

Former colleague got a helping hand

I met Carol in November 2004 when I began stringing for the Almanac. Carol was always very enthusiastic about photography in general and gave me wonderful constructive criticism for my work.

When I went to shoot my first photos for the Almanac, a football game at Woodside, she gave me great advice that helped me feel confident about taking this on as my first assignment. She was also wonderful about giving me advice on how I could shoot things better for my next assignments, and what type of pictures (managing editor) Richard Hine wanted to publish.

The time I spent talking with and emailing her, was the equivalent of taking a photography class dedicated to shooting for newspapers. Although she did not study photography formally herself, she was very encouraging of my decision to begin a college program in photojournalism.

She was also cheerful, a great person, and I feel fortunate to have known her for the brief time I did. I know she will be greatly missed by myself and her colleagues at the Almanac.

Danielle Stolman

Atherton

First contact with the Almanac

Editor:

I was so sorry to read that Carol Ivie suddenly passed away. She was my very first contact with the Almanac when she and Marion Softky came to my home to interview me about my mountain lion sighting in February 2002.

My most delightful memory of Carol is seeing her take pictures of laughing and running children on top of a breezy hill in Bayfront Park on Kite Day, 2004. My sincere condolences to all the Almanac staff. We have lost a true stalwart of our community.

Kelly Fergusson, member

Menlo Park City Council

'Oldtime' reporter welcomed Carol to staff

Editor:

As a very "oldtime" reporter at the Almanac, I would like to add my expressions of admiration and appreciation for Carol Ivie's long dedication to her profession at the paper, and to express my deep regret at her being so suddenly taken away from us.

I dearly remember when she first came on board and we were so thrilled to have someone working in the darkroom who really knew what she was doing! I loved taking photos to accompany my stories, but was helpless at the printing process and she arrived and quickly took over in her straightforward efficient manner.

Everything came out right and we all had such fun working together. In the years since I left the Almanac, I loved running into Carol as she spun around to her assignments with her enthusiasm and love for her craft. She will indeed be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Mary Burt Blume

Carol was there for a school project

Editor:

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Carol Ivie's untimely death. She was indeed an ambassador for the Almanac.

Carol photographed members of the Menlo-Atherton High School robotics team hard at work on their first robot in 2002. I arranged the photo shoot and met her at school. She was prompt, professional, and worked very well with the students.

She also photographed me in the early 1990's for a story the Almanac was doing on local athletes participating in the Danskin Triathlon in San Jose. I was thrilled when the story with my photo ran in the Almanac. It was the only time I had ever been featured in a newspaper as a triathlete and it meant a lot to me. I was a recreational triathlete for 10 years, and I loved every moment of it.

Karen Imatani

Menlo Park

Carol's subjects always put at ease

Editor:

Whoever replaces Carol Ivie as Almanac photographer better have a pleasant manner and disposition.

My several times with Carol were very satisfying. What a gift she freely distributed in putting her subjects at ease. Carol will be missed.

Bill Russ

Cotton Street, Menlo Park

Patient and professional for singing group

Editor:

Carol Ivie photographed the Clef Hangers singing group many times at senior centers, nursing homes and VA hospitals. She was patient and professional during our 35 years of performing.

Joan Gray Portola Valley

Fond memories of July 4th parade

Editor:

I was shocked and saddened to read of Carol Ivie's sudden passing. Like she did for so many others, she touched our lives through her love for her work.

Our family will always remember when our Boy Scout son, Andy, who was then a third-grader, got to carry the American flag in the Menlo Park 4th of July parade on Santa Cruz Avenue.

I remember seeing Carol quickly run in front and snap a picture, but didn't know who she was at the time. We were just so happy that Andy was chosen to carry the flag! You can imagine our absolute delight when I picked up the newspaper the following week and found Andy on the cover! I framed it, and it is still hanging in his room.

I called to ask about a copy of the photo, and was given Mrs. Ivie's phone number. She was wonderful about making a couple of the photos she had taken available to us. In fact, both of our children remembered going into her home with me to pick up the photos (and this was six years ago) -- and both of them knew exactly that this was the same nice lady whom they had met.

Thank you for running the article on this very special photographer who we will always remember.

Margaret, Phil, Andrew, and Sarah Winters

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