For a second time this year a colleague who has meant so much to me passed away. I grieve, of course, and think back on our time together. I remember. I sincerely want this teacher and friend to know how deeply grateful I am.
Betty was very much on my mind when my dear friends Hitomi and Midori shared the sad news of our mentor’s sudden passing. I’d been wondering how she was doing and I continued to marvel that this gifted woman was still working — after decades of excellence in the business of design and communications — and through the years was always well-respected and admired.
Sad to say, the letter I write now is for the incredible Betty Slater.
Funny, I was thinking of you often the past few weeks, wondering how you are. That it has been a number of years since we spoke. What an amazing woman you are, still working after decades in this business, and always well respected and spoken of.
And I would like to thank you again.
How very grateful I am to have had the honor of spending time, learning and working with you early in my career. How you helped me to grow both personally and professionally since 1980, when I was a Designer at Yasumura & Associates (then CYB/Cato Yasumura Behaeghel, the design firm of Young & Rubicam).
Thank you Betty, for all the time you gave me patiently explaining, among other things, the finer points of a client brief, and the very important way of responding to the client. It was a memorable experience simply to observe how you evaluated the needs of a project and how to best move forward. I am also deeply indebted to you for having the faith to include me in client meetings, where I learned so much about relating to business people. These key lessons helped set the stage for much of the success I have been lucky to experience over the years.
Did you know, Betty, how kind, thoughtful, caring, generous and intelligent you were? Did you fully comprehend the impact your great sense of humor had on those of us who were lucky to know you? Did you ever equate your abiding strength with success — yours and ours?
I am honored to have spent so much time with you. I am humbled to consider myself one of your students. I am profoundly grateful that to some degree I am one of your successors: like so many others who crossed your glorious path, I carry within me your essential gift, your wisdom and talent, and your dedication to mentoring. Without it, I might not have found my way.
I know your family misses you already, Betty. My heartfelt condolences. Rest in peace knowing that you will never be forgotten.
With love and respect, Regina
