University of Virginia Library

Crispells Thank Students

The following message was written by Peg Crispell (the dean's
middle daughter) during the period following the death of the little
brother John. Mrs. Crispell has requested that we print it here for the
hundreds of students who wrote whom she and her family will never
be able to thank personally.-ed.

I just want to say thanks to the hundreds of people who
came to the funeral and wrote to us about John. It somehow
eases the pain to know that one little twelve year old boy
could have been known and loved by so many wonderful
people - young and old. Though the first two days were
hard to bear, from then on it's been hard to grieve when I
think about the twelve years that he lived - full of love,
laughter, friendship, trust, and faith - never a doubt about
people or life - full of ideas and kind thoughts - and most
of all, full of friends - he was rarely alone and he always
managed to spread his gaiety and vigor to those around him.
As John Smith wrote, "You are the biggest small boy that
ever was - and you spin the humming top like nobody ever
did - Spin it, boy, spin it - you're a hell of a kid - spin the
world like a top and we'll listen to it hum." And he did spin
it and we did all listen and, we, the Crispells, will never forget
this, I know - and I hope those of you who knew him have
gained from him and will remember him as we do. Once
again, thank you all who have done so much for us and
please don't be sorry any longer - he lived a richer life than
many of us will in a full lifetime.