Greetings Friends!

I feel this is an appropriate time to share with you the Eulogy given by one of Karen's other childhood friends Frank Bonito:

"I first met Karen in 1960. We moved to Hall Street the summer before I was to enter 6th. grade. I remember first meeting Joey and Debbie Vauiso who were our next door neighbors. I also remember Debbie and I playing in my yard one day and being introduce by Debbie to another kid on the street, Karen Carpenter. Our friendship soon grew since we lived on the same street, and were in the same class at Nathan Hale School. Karen had been at Nathan Hale 5 years already, and informed me of all the important things that a student needed to know! Like, Mr. Cavallaro won't get mad if we lock him in the art supply room, or which teachers collected homework papers, and which did not. For 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, we were in the same classes, having Mr. Tiderman, Miss Spang, Miss Lang, Mrs. Spino and Mr. Cavallaro for teachers. Karen and I would walk to school each day, stopping on Townsend Ave. to get Carol DeFilippo and her cousin Michael Torre. Carol, Karen and I were in the same classes. The three of us did very well academically in school, but as the principal once wrote on my report card, the self control could have been better, We were always passing notes and clowning around... and always getting caught.

"Often in the evenings, Karen and I would do homework together. Richard might be practicing his piano or listening to his collection of Spike Jones records as we studied I enjoyed studying with Karen because she often knew the answers, and her Mom, Agnes made great chocolate chip cookies!

"In the 8th grade, we worked together planning Class Day programs and my graduation day speech. On Class Day, during the reading of the class prophecy for the year 2000, I was to be a mayor of a city on the moon, and Karen was to be my wife. I guess they were wrong!

"Within days after graduation in 1963, the Carpenters moved from Hall St. to Downey, California. Karen and I continued our friendship long distance, by letters, cards and occasional phone calls, and recorded cassette tapes. I can remember Karen and Richard sending tapes to Carol and I with them performing. I always knew that Karen would be successful, but never realized how successful.

"A concert at Carnage Hall in New York in the early 70's was the first time I saw the Carpenters perform. I went backstage before the show, and met with Karen. I hadn't seen her since she left Hall St. It was a wonderful reunion. She was on her way to becoming an International singing star, but she was still the warm, naive girl from Hall Street. In many ways Karen was a person of contradictions. She was a sophisticated woman who mingled with the "Who's Who" of Hollywood, like Olivia Newton-John, Carol Burnett, the Osmond's etc. yet she collected Mickey Mouse memorabilia, and treasured every stuff animal and gifts that fans made for her. Karen never flaunted her wealth and position. She actually down-played it, and was always sincerely interested in what was happening in my life. She wanted to know about old school friends and teachers. She maintained a wonderful child-like quality about herself.

"I never really saw Karen as a celebrity. Even when I attended her concerts, I enjoyed them, but it was the time backstage before the concert, or at a party afterwards that I enjoyed most. This would be when we would just sit and talk and catch up on each other's lives.

"Debbie, her husband C.J. my wife Carissa and I have spent much time with Karen, but we never saw her happier, or looking healthier than on the day of her wedding in August of 1980. She was so happy so radiant.

"Her life was short, but it was a full and rewarding one. She gave so much to others, personally and professionally. To paraphrase some lines from her song; CLOSE TO YOU:

"On the day that she was born the angels got together
and decided to create a dream come true
so they sprinkled moon dust in her hair
and golden star light in her eyes.

"Those angels now have her back with them. Her gift of music will live on in our hearts and minds. Several years ago when we graduated from Nathan Hale School, the Carpenter family was preparing to move to California. Karen wrote on the back of my class picture;

"To Frank, The boy I have known for 3 years, and who I will miss. Love, Karen."

"I now say:

"To Karen, The girl and woman I knew for almost 25 years, and who I will miss dearly. Love, Frank."

A simple and poignant Memorial Service for Karen was held at Downey Methodist Church February 4th. (hardly necessary to remind you of the significance of that date). Rev. Michael Winstead again officiated, and Richard's impeccable accompaniment to Dennis Heath's vocal interpretation of the Lord's Prayer was indeed an awesome contribution to the service. A quiet dinner with friends followed.

Richard and his parents try to acknowledge all floral gifts etc. surrounding Karen's crypt, but at times this is not possible because no return address is given. They do however remain completely overwhelmed by the extraordinary outpouring of love which still exists for their beloved Karen, and express their deep gratitude to all. Judging by the tumultuous international fan mail received this past year, it remains clear; the music of the Carpenters knows no boundaries, penetrating the barriers of class, color, creed, cult, nationality etc. Your phenomenal response to Voice Of The Heart and Karen's Memorial Foundation has indeed been a heartwarming experience for the Carpenter family. As you are now aware, Richard has been busy promoting the new album at home and overseas.

A new Carpenters compilation 2 record set entitled Yesterday Once More will be offered to the American public via a TV campaign starting February 25th. This is a television offer only for about 4-6 months, after which the album and cassette will be available at the retail level. Richard is featured in the "ad" which will be aired initially in 20 markets; then spread from that number. The deluxe package contains 24 Carpenters songs as indicated below:

Yesterday Once More, Superstar, Rainy Days And Mondays, Goodbye To Love, It's Going To Take Some Time, Beechwood 4-5789, Back In My Life Again, Ticket To Ride, Sweet, Sweet Smile, I Won't Last A Day Without You, For All We Know, Touch Me When We're Dancing, Hurting Each Other, Please Mr. Postman, I Need To Be In Love, All You Get From Love Is A Love Song, Only Yesterday, This Masquerade, Top Of The World, Because We Are In Love, We've Only Just Begun, Those Good Old Dreams, Sing, Close To You.

All the selections have been re-mastered, and the album will be pressed on the new high-quality KC-600 vinyl. What a legacy to cherish among our prized Carpenters "treasure chests". It will be an A & M release, but for the TV campaign the distributors will be Silver Eagle Records, 777 North Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, California 92262. Both album and cassette will retail for $XX.XX plus tax.

More positive news! Richard & Jerry Weintraub have entered into a development deal with CBS-TV to produce a "Movie Of The Week" on the life of the Carpenters. A this juncture Richard and Jerry are working out certain details, among which are meetings with different scriptwriters. I have also been advised a Voice Of The Heart music book is in the making. but won't be available for another 2 months, so I hope to be able to elaborate on that in the next newsletter.

The second single from Voice Of The Heart (Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore) was released January 31st., and is receiving good airplay here.

I would like in conclusion to express my heartfelt gratitude for your most moving messages of sympathy following the passing of my husband John. Knowing that so many of you cared certainly helped ease the pain. Thank you so much. I'll be in touch later.

Last changed: Mon Sep 12 22:03:33 EDT 2005