Thursday
Apr292010
RIP Rose Lerchbacher
Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 01:09AM My dear friend, Rose Lerchbacher sadly took her life last Thursday night. I came to Hobart for the funeral and have witnessed a family devastated, as are her friends, her boyfriend Mathieu and I. Rose and I met 3 years ago when I toured Hobart and played shows and she followed my music ever since, and we became close friends over the last year or so. Most of our communication was deep internet chats long into the night because we lived in different states. Both victims of depression, we often related stories and found support in each other through difficult times. Rose often said I knew her more than many people, which was ironic considering we never really spent any real time together due to bad timing and distance. I loved her and would've flown down to Hobart in a second if I knew the kind of place she was in. How can anyone ever really know another person's mind or mood swings from one minute to the next? Even if you think you know the patterns, it's very hard to really know if someone is going to take their life. It's reminded me that suicide is devastating, and so very final. There is no resolution, no turning the clock back, which is all we want to do. Do things differently, try and be extra supportive, but it's too late.
I often sent Rose my new music to get her opinion and she was always very honest, sweet and very supportive. She approved the new working title of my album 'The Backbone Of Night' and I will be dedicating my album to her. Rose was a beautiful soul who loved her Cat, enjoyed roller derby, drove an old beetle and had the most beautiful smile, wicked sense of humor and amazing tattoos, and loved her Dad so much. She will be deeply missed, by everyone who loved her. I for one will never forget her and will miss our talks, and regret never having the chance to watch our friendship fully blossom. I want to send out my love and condolences to Rose's family, friends and Mathieu in this truly heartbreaking and difficult time.
Goodnight angel, sleep in peace now....beautiful roller derby girl....you will always live in our hearts. JB xoxoxo
Reader Comments (10)
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to Rose.
Beautiful words Jona.. Rose meant the world to me.
My name's Anthony, but Rose got to know me as "Fear Embodied" on XBOX Live. I was friends with her for a couple of years, we met through a mutual XBOX friend and hit it off well pretty quickly. Before long I considered her as good as a friend as the ones I have in the real world. When I heard she had died I did not believe it at first, I had to find out for myself, and It was this very blog entry that I found to confirm it. I did not comment then, but I figure now is a as good a time as any. She was a great and very generous person, the kind that asks nothing in return. She had enough compassion in her to fill ten people. Now, I don't believe in paradises and I don't even believe in happy endings, but I do believe in fond memories, and I have nothing but those to go with the person I'll always remember as "Violet Grim".
Hi Anthony, Thanks so much for your words man. I'm really glad you decided to write something about her. I also knew her much more online but we spoke almost every night on Facebook and I was completely shocked when she took her beautiful life away, especially considering only the week before we were talking and she seemed fine. But as you said "I do believe in fond memories" and so do I, and may everyone remember her as the amazing girl she was. Thanks also to K and and pbullock. Rose will live on in our hearts, always. j
Also, here is the song 'Levitate' that i wrote for Rose. I only have this live version recorded so far but i hope you enjoy. http://soundcloud.com/jona-byron/levitate-live-at-melodica
It was a great tribute, Jona. To everyone who knew Rose, wishing you extra strength through this tough month ahead of us.
It's been 1 year and still feels like only yesterday. I miss you, Rose.
I'd like everyone to know I have posted a new post about Rose here - http://jonabyron.squarespace.com/news-blog/2011/4/25/remembering-rose.html and soon a complete album of unreleased tracks will be released as a tribute to her titled 'Howl'. Bless - jb x
Rose, you'd be 26 Today. I miss you.
Another Year goes by without You, Rose. Always thinking of You.