Alma Maleckar Bear, 1985-2011
My beautiful niece Alma died unexpectedly last week. She was 26.
There will be a Funeral Mass this Friday, December 9, 10:00 a.m., at Mater Dolorosa Church, 1228 S. Carrollton Avenue, NOLA 70118.
At sundown on Friday, a second line will begin at the 1300 block of St. Roch Avenue.
For Saturday, December 10: The Jackson Square artists have a 50-year tradition of hanging a wreath in respect and memory of departed artist fellows. Because Alma was so respected and loved, the artists are going one step further by lighting candles in unison at 5:00 p.m. next Saturday, Dec. 10th. The wreath will be hung at the gate on Decatur Street.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
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I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die
— Mary Elizabeth Frye
Alma/David wedding photos by Jim Arnold on Flickr
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Alma was a new friend to me at Jackson Square. I’ve only known her since March 2011. But we instantly clicked as friends and I will miss her more than I thought I could miss anyone. Just know that she will be remembered fondly at the square for years to come. And know that in this dark time I am thinking about mom and jolene.
Thank you,
Sherrie
Thanks Sherrie, I will be down there in NOLA next week and I hope to meet you, as well as all the other friends. Jim A
…Good night, sweet girl,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Love to all–you Jim, and especially Katy & Dave.
Mary
Love you back, sweet cousin. Jim A
Alma was a close friend and classmate of my son, Justin Olivier. I am shocked and saddened by her untimely death. Alma was a beautiful young lady. I will long remember her wonderful smile. She will be missed. My condolences to you and her family. Julie Graff
Thanks, Julie, for your kind words. Jim A
i am so very sad and sorry to hear about alma…she shared her paintings with us in our shop in the fq. she is loved by so many, and her beautiful paintings grace many a home…our whole family loved her, and we will miss her earthly presence, but, we know her sweet spirit swirls all around us…much love to your whole family. xoxo heidi
I think I may have been in your shop when I was there for her wedding. Thanks so much for your kind words, Heidi. Jim A
yes! i remember you, and your whole family came by! a magical time! hugs, h
I am so sorry. She was a wonderful person.
My deepest condolences. Alma was such a lovely, talented, generous spirit.
Some of her friends would like to help organize a second line in her honor. May I contact someone in the family to see if this is ok, and if we may be of assistance?
Joseph, thank you so much. I’ve contacted my sister and should have some info for you today. Jim A
I understand you are in touch now with David Bear – look forward to seeing you next week. Jim A
Hi Jim,
I was heartbroken to find out Thursday night what happened to our dear friend Alma. My husband Loren and I have known her and David for a few years. Alma was one of the first people Loren met when he moved to New Orleans as a traveling musician. They played music together and he recorded some songs with her, which I would love to share with her family. I saw her just a few days before she died and talked to her about the recordings and at the time she said how excited she was to make more music with Loren in the future. She was an illuminating force and inspiration to us both.
I’m trying to organize a second line in her honor down here and would like to do it around the time of the mass so it would be convenient for her family. I’ve got people working on donations for the police escort and brass band. I haven’t gotten in touch with her immediate family yet, I’m sure them along with David need some time before they’re ready to talk to anyone. But I’d like to get in touch with them so I can make everything convenient for them and to their liking. I’m so sorry for you family’s loss. Alma was a gift to everyone that she came into contact with here in New Orleans, and I’m incredibly grateful for the time I got to spend with her, however short it was. My email is ksoulagnet@gmail.com please shoot me an email at your earliest convenience if you can help with any of this.
with love and sorrow,
Kat Soulagnet and Loren Murrell
Thanks Kat and Loren – I will get back to you with that contact info, I should hear from my sister shortly. Such a wonderful thing you’re doing! Jim A
I understand you guys are all in touch now with David Bear – look forward to seeing you all next week. Jim A
I remember sweet Alma as a grinning child growing up in Milwaukee. My heart aches for Dave and Katy.
yes, grinning child – she was quite the rambunctious tomboy at times, I seem to recall! Jim A
if it feels appropriate for your and your family, could you share when the second line will be – either here or in a private email to me? heidiheidihigh@gmail.com thank you…
Heidi, yes, I’ll post it here when I get a definitive. So far I’ve heard Friday night, FQ somewhere.
condolences
Thank you Noah!
Alma was among my original employees at J’anita’s on Magazine St. She did a beautiful job decorating a tip cup we still have with her talented artwork. Though it’s well-used, I will bring it to the mass. A beautiful spirit.
Thanks Craig, I know we’ll all love to see that and meet you there.
I know Alma, David, & Jolene from my coffee shop. They would frequently pop in to visit and it was always a highlight of my day. Alma inspired everyone around her with her beautiful spirit and my heart goes out to all her family and friends.
Thank you Byrdie!
Hello Jim,
Thank you for posting the beautiful poem and photo of Alma. My heart has been so very heavy since finding out about the passing of such a gorgeous, talented, and amazing New Orleanian. I first met Alma at Jackson Square with her dog Jolene, selling her paintings. I recently opened a coffee shop in the Marigny, and asked Alma to hang the inaugural art show. She was ecstatic, and hung several of her pieces that graced the wall of my shop all summer. She and her husband David have been very supportive of my business, and became regular customers. Alma would always come in for coffee, usually rushing off to an interesting project…recording at the studio, painting, or perhaps performing. She was always so animated and kind, sparkling with a stark devotion to her art and her community.
I just saw her mere days ago, on the day after Thanksgiving, as she and her band LadyBabyMiss & the Tigermen, had an outdoor yardsale, and also played an intimate show at my coffee shop. We didn’t know then of course, that it would be the last show, and as I write this, I’m shocked, stunned, and so very sad that my friend is gone. The word “beautiful” would only begin to describe the absolutely stunning and gracious person your niece was. Our New Orleans community is suffering from this loss. I send healing and love to your family during this intensely difficult time.
Jayna Jenson
New Orleans, LA
Thank you, Jayna, for these beautiful words. I will make sure as well that David and all Alma’s family see these wonderful comments on the blog.
I knew Alma for years she was a great person with a big heart always thought of others and was always willing to help anyone its sad to see she is gone from all are lives she will be missed but all of us in Milwaukee will never forget her we will all pray for her family and I do hope for the best for all of you.
R.I.P to a great friend you will be missed but never will be forgotten you will always be in are hearts we love you.
Thanks Ian, for your kind words.
My condolences to Alma, her husband, and her family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Although I did not know Alma well, she impressed my as a rich, creative spirit and intelligent young woman. My heart goes out to her friends.
Alma was a very very special person and she will be missed. She volunteered a lot of time with us for our movie. I wanted to express our love and gratitude for her, as well as our condolences to her husband and family.
PLEASE BE ADVISED! In memorial to Elma Maleckar, Please precipitate in a candle lighting in remembrance of fellow our artist Alma Maleckar. Candles well be lit at 5:pm sharp and a wreath well be hung on Decatur St. in remembrance of her. RIP Elma, you left you mark in our hearts. The Jackson Square artists honor you.
Elaine, was this today? If not, what date? Thanks, Jim A
Jim, Please allowed me it introduce myself. I am one of the elected committee members of the Jackson Square Artists Association. I apologize for not contacting you and Alma’s other family members first with regard to the Jackson Square Artist Association response to Alma’s passing.
All of the Jackson Square artists are in agreement that an extra measure of respect should be demonstrated publicly for Alma‘s passing. The Jackson Square artists tradition of hanging a wreath in respect and memory our departed artist fellows has been our tradition for the past fifty years. Because Alma was so respected and loved the artists we are going one step farther by lighting candles in unison at 5:pm next Saturday Dec. 10th. The wreath well be hung at the gate on Decatur St.
Our message to her family is this, Elma’s great artistry goes on though all the artistes she effected so deeply on the Jackson Square and city wide.
We offer our deepest condolences to you and her husband and other family members.
With Regards,
Elaine Adel Cummins
This sounds so lovely, Elaine, and I believe that most of Alma’s extended family will be there for this. I’m also going to forward this message to my sister (Alma’s mom) so she’s aware of it. Jim A
I will miss you Alma, You were so kind and happy every time we met. Your art will always inspire me. Your heart will always be with all of us. God Bless you sweetie…
Alma, it hurts so bad when I think of all the hugs that we never had, you loved the best friend that I’ve ever had, I ran blind through the lion’s den and he held my hand. I will miss you every day, from the chocolate covered cherries to soothe my pains on the sunniest days and through the driftless rains. We will all miss you Alma.
Thanks Jim for your posting, and for the wonderful poem.
It gives me great comfort to read the entries and to see that Alma had made so many great friends in New Orleans, and that her music, her art, and her work had connected with so many people. Yet it is Alma’s personality, her beauty and her warm caring, loving way that attracted people. Her smile made people feel good, and it drew them in. I cannot think of Alma without seeing her smile.
I look forward to meeting many of the people Alma knew as friends in NOLA later this week, and I look forward to sharing remembrances of the lovely, precious and wonderful young woman who I was lucky to call ‘niece.’
She is indeed, as the poem states, one of ‘the soft stars that shine at night.’
Love as Always,
Bill Arnold
I too have been touched by all the amazing comments from all the friends and people who’ve known Alma. I was looking at pix from the wedding the other day, and there are some great ones of you dancing with your niece in that street in the French Quarter. And, like you say, she was smiling beautifully. XO Jim
So sorry to hear about Alma. I met her and David a couple years ago and frequently would run into them on the street in New Orleans. She was always very kind and definitely a free spirit. My condolences to her family and friends
thanks Jules, we have been overwhelmed by the love of the community towards Alma and the Bears and Maleckars.
Dear Friends, Family, Fans of Alma,
I lived across the hall from Alma in the Art Loft. I heard her singing, saw her painting and her putting her personal touches on art, records, etc., and I adored her. She was ecstatic to tell me one day, that she was getting married and that she and David were going to move out into a house of their own. As she happily loaded her belongings, I sadly thought how young, beautiful, and talented she was…but how happy I was to see her joyful! I lost Alma then. I never saw her again. I missed her. Now, I found out that she is gone from this troubled earth. I miss her all over again…my young neighbor who made me feel great as she babbled on about how much she loved my voice and my music. I have been in the music business for over 40 years. I knew that she would make the big time…. Sometimes, people come into our lives that make such a remarkable huge imprint. Alma Maleckar was one of those people. It is my desire to sing at her funeral. I think that Alma would have liked me to sing… again… for her. Please, know that I do not think that once a loved one leaves this earth -that that is the end. I believe that their soul goes on. It is my sincere hope that I will see Alma again someday as she was such a beautiful spirit. We all should have known…
Angels walk the earth unaware.
My sincere condolences to all,
New Orleans Barbara Lane
I have a friend that felt very close to her. I was wondering if you know if she still has some art work for sale? If so can you give me an idea where I might be able to locate some of her work for my friend. I would appreciate it.
I don’t know, but I’ll pass along your note and email to my sister and David Bear.
Jim A
Thank you much
Alma was awesome. A really amazing person. I was glad to know her.
I hope that she can find a peace out there.
Jim,
This is Ruth Pintar’s daughter Kath writing. I heard news of Alma’s death a few days ago and was so saddened. I never knew Alma, but I do have a memory of the day she was confirmed at Ss. Peter and Paul in Milwaukee when she was a little girl. She was so exuberant that day! I would love to see some of her artwork. Please let me know if it is on the net somewhere. I get a sense of how well she was loved and what a shining presence she was by reading these comments. On behalf of all the Pintar family, I send our condolences to you and all the dear Arnold-Maleckar family. With love.
Hi Kath, thanks for the great remembrance and your thoughts. I don’t know if Alma’s artwork is on the net but I’m going to forward your note to Kate. My best to you and your family, Jim A
I had artwork in Gallery 713 with Alma, and I am proud to have her artwork hanging in my house. My condolences to her family and friends, my heart goes out to you and to her.
Jon Guillaume
“The saddest words of tongue or pen: what might have been.”
“Beauty seen is never lost, God’s colors all are fast.”
These keep running through my head. We all miss her and love her so very much.
Her big love, the magic and pure fun she’d spin up from scratch. Making folks from all walks feel real, smile, share. She was the best, & I find my heart has more sympathy for those that never got to know her, bright young one.
big love, yes, that sounds like my niece. Jim A
I Loved Alma’s confidence and surety about what she wanted to do THAT very Moment. I once told her, “Alma, do you know how inspirational you are?”..to which she giggled and said, “Yes, I know.” And then she road off on her bicycle with her artwork. Beautiful Alma. You made quite a mark on everyone. Some things in life are not readily understood. I hope you are at peace.
She was a blur of beauty in thick mascara, always on her way to somewhere… And her cityscapes were so drawn a broad perspective from feathers that flew her high above the avenue of anywhere, but she didn’t care about ‘nothin, , ‘cept where she wanted to be and painted herself a mystery to mind her a glimmer of possibility; otherworldly, as she always is still
Singing to me in that throaty Alma winsome tragedy.
How less bizarre that I knew her from the window of her studio, artless about her artistry, and watched her like a movie star where she revels in my eternity, still singing.
I love the images your poem gives me. Jim A
Thank you so much for posting all the information on Alma’s funeral and second-line. I’m flying to NOLA today to say goodbye to my friend. Thanks again for keeping us all informed.
As Alma’s uncle I am delighted to do this, and we all look forward to seeing you, Holmes. Fly safe, Jim A
I am so saddened to read about Alma’s passing. Alma used to go to S.S. Peter and Paul Day care center when I was her teacher there. I always remember Alma as a happy-go-lucky girl. She is between my 2 oldest children in age, and they remember her. She was always happy, smiling and had many friends! I still pass her old house on Humboldt and remember her even today. My family grew up with the Arnold’s on the east side of Milwaukee and it’s funny how we all have ties to New Orleans. My husband children were just in New Orleans this summer and now we wonder if we may have passed Alma in the Quarter ever. My condolences to the entire family!
Thanks Therese, I knew your siblings (?) Michelle and James at SS Peter & Paul. Jim A
I attended the funeral of Alma today. It was a beautiful ceremony, just as she was a beautiful person. I met her and her husband at her mom’s work. Her mom always lights up when talking about her girls! I was so moved by all of her family and friends telling what a joy she was to be around. I will continue to pray for all of those close to her for peace and healing. Molly wrote a beautiful poem about her sister. Dave wrote a wonderful tribute to his wife. I felt that I left with a little part of her within me to live with a passion and love fully. She leaves behind such wonderful people and she was loved so much. I really felt that there today.
I did not know Alma. As I walked to Cafe Envie to get a coffee yesterday I noticed a crowd of people, many who I know well.
I was saddened to hear the news of your niece. With the crowd I saw at Envie, I could tell Alma was loved & adored by many.
I spoke with Otis at his bookstore on Frenchman St. regarding the situation and both of us feel for you and your family.
My sincere condolences for your loss.
Brian K.
Thanks Brian. I stopped in to see Otis on a walk a couple of days ago, and so happy to see that he and the store are thriving. I know that all of our extended family is so touched by the outpouring of love that we’ve seen for Alma.
Jim, Thank you for this special place where we can leave a note about Alma. As I pass De LaSalle HS on the trolley headed back to the hotel to meet Milwaukee-arrival wife, I fully realize the transformation that has occurred. I am not that same person who landed on Thursday on an emotional rollercoaster. My time with Alma’s family and friends and the celebration of her life and what she means to all of us was very powerful and healing. Alma was my niece. I will never be healed but I have found some peace and I hope others have as well.
Pete, it’s been so great to meet Alma and David’s friends and to understand her rich life here in NOLA. Love to you Jim
I only knew Alma a little, from cups of coffee she served at nearby cafes, but it was a lot.
Here are a pair of songs she served to inspire, and a bit of reminiscence:
http://8letters.blogspot.com/2011/12/she-was-like-like-itself-you-saw-those.html
Chris Sullivan
Chris, you are not supposed to make us cry on a Sunday morning. How insanely beautiful are your words! Jim A
Yep, that one got me tearing up. Thank you Chris, they are beautiful. I hope to hear it to music one to remember the Java dove that flew away.
Jim, Elaine –
I’ve made a booklet of the same – if you’d like one,
let me know where to forward it at thingnamer@gmail.com
Chris
My Dear Friend Alma, I deeply Love Your Snappy wit, thee ALMA-i-am and all others step aside attitude melded with Your BadAss creative Insight into this World!!! *TREAT*
No words I say or have read can capture the spirit that illuminated from this beautifull young woman.
While she lived in Milwaukee, WI I was fortunate to see her almost everyday of my daughters life, as she spent many days and nights at my home with my daughter and their friends. She was an Amazing talented child, when they had differences between them Alma was the calming force that would make everything alright.
She hadthe most beautifull smile and calming spirit amongst all of them, she was able to make those around her realize that the world was just what it was, SHIT!! As she put it, “Nothing around us could destro us, Unless we allowed it” Wise beyond her years. While ewe have lost If there is a god, He hasgained an ANGEL, with all of my heart I know she is finally where she belongs, Relaxing, enjoying all that god has to offer. She is an ANGEL watching over all those that loved her. May she forever be in our hearts. Peace be with THOSE that actually LOVED her.
Alma grew up with my daughter Amber. Alma was like a second daughter. I still can not believe that I will never see her beautiful blue eyes again and hear an Alma story. My heart breaks for Katy and Dave and Molly…we spent a lot of years cleaning up after Fish Fry and drinkin’ beer…..I left a message for them….tell them I love them and I hold them in my heart and prayers.