it is with profound sadness that i pass this on.

soffa activists

***PLEASE REPOST AS APPROPRIATE***

Marcelle Y. Cook-Daniels, age 40, lost his lifelong battle with depression on
April 21, 2000.  A native of Washington, D.C., where he lived until his 1996
move to Vallejo, California, Marcelle was a computer programmer/analyst who
worked for the IRS, the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning
Commission, and, most recently, Norcal Mutual Insurance Company of San
Francisco.   At the time of his death, he was actively working toward his
M.S. degree in Computer Science at Golden Gate University.

A quiet but very dedicated and principled activist, he was known for his work
in raising awareness of transgender and Lesbian/Gay issues and for his
efforts to promote and support his family values of love, commitment,
honesty, openness, and public service.  His education and advocacy work
included presentations at the 1999 Creating Change conference, the 1998
"Butch-FTM: Building Coalitions Through Dialogue" event, at several True
Spirit Conferences, and at numerous other educational and advocacy events.
Interviews and/or photographs of him appear in the "Love Makes A Family" book
and tour; Dawn Atkin's book "Looking Queer: Body Image and Identity in
Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Communities," and "In The Family"
magazine.  He was an active supporter of COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and
Gays Everywhere) and provided substantial material and volunteer support to
the Transgender Aging Network, four True Spirit conferences, and The American
Boyz.

Marcelle was at heart a family man.  He was a devoted son to his mother
Marcella Daniels; a passionate supporter of his lifepartner of 17 years,
Loree Cook-Daniels; and an outstanding father to his 6-year-old son Kai
Cook-Daniels, who calls him, "The Best Lego-Maker in the World."  He is also
survived by many beloved friends and colleagues.

The family suggests that those who wish to honor Marcelle's memory through
monetary contributions consider sending them to:

        The Marcelle Y. Cook-Daniels Memorial Fund
        Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)
            3543 18th St., #17
            San Francisco, CA  94110

(Checks should be made out to COLAGE and accompanied by a note or notation
the donation should be earmarked for the Marcelle Y. Cook-Daniels Memorial
Fund)

A memorial service for Marcelle will be held:

        Wednesday, April 26, 2000
        7:00 p.m.
        Colonial Chapels
        1000 Redwood Street
            Vallejo, CA
            (707) 643-0391


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