From John Henry

I first met Shona at her nuptials, perhaps a bit before. Over the decades, my wife and I would socialize with the Wrays on numerous occasions, in both Sacramento and Kansas City. When I took a position in the economics department at University of Missouri-KC, she would often pop into my office to exchange pleasantries--sometimes serious conversations--and I would reciprocate.

What can one say? Shona was one of my favorite people--and that list is quite short. She had a terrific sense of humor, was quite willing to “rag on” Randy, discuss issues with the kids (as do all good parents)--and a great cook. From an academic perspective, Shona was exceptionally bright, well-informed, and judicious. We always had something arcane to discuss. And that smile…! (The photos speak for themselves.)

It is customary to say at this point that the world will miss Shona. That’s not true. Most of the world has no knowledge of her passing. But, for those who knew her, this is a real loss. I, along with all others whose paths crossed with hers, will always remember her and lament her death at such an early age. If the world were truly reasonable, this should not have occurred.

From Yeva Nersisyan

I knew Shona as a student of Prof. Randall Wray and so did every other student in the Economics department. They would occasionally host dinners for us, starving graduate students, which were always perfect.

I got to know Shona a little better when I stayed with the Wrays in their Redhook home for about two weeks a couple of years ago. She was such an interesting person to be around; always had some interesting story to tell. Just being around her you learned so much.

Her hospitality was beyond limits. One thing I remember very well was her teaching me how to cut a cooked chicken into pieces. She was an excellent cook and I remember watching her cut that delicious rosemary baked chicken with such an ease. I told her I could never learn to do that. The excellent teacher that she was she told me it was easy, and started to teach me how to do it step by step.

My thoughts are with her beautiful children Alina and Shane. They are Shona's gift to all who know them.

Yeva Nersisyan

From Randy Wray

SHONA and Me

We met in Rome in August 1986 at a gathering of all Fulbrighters to Italy; as we were the only two located in Bologna it was inevitable that we’d become acquaintances. She was the Italy enthusiast, and having already lived in the country a year she was well-connected and fluent. Other than a stint teaching elementary and high school in Mexico City, I’d never been anywhere. I had just struggled through a last-ditch effort at a year of Italian at Washington University (with Hyman Minsky sitting in the class—at least he made me look good by comparison!) after I found out that Jan Kregel had moved to Bo from the Netherlands. I’d been forced to watch Fellini films in college and knew second or third generation Italians in California and had no interest in spending a year there. So I was disappointed, and wanted to bail-out of the Fulbright—but Minsky told me I MUST GO! Minsky insisted that Italy is paradise and I reluctantly packed—prepared for the worst.

I was wrong, of course.

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From Cameron Sutt

I am greatly saddened by Shona's passing. I was a graduate student at UMKC when she first arrived there, and I owe her a great debt. Shona was a terrific encouragement to me both at UMKC and afterwards. She introduced me to social history and supported me in my academic life. I very clearly remember talking to her about applying for a Fulbright Scholarship to do research in Hungary way back in 1999. After giving her my spiel, she looked right at me and said, "Go for it!" From that point on, she gave me advice and helped me in every way possible to obtain that scholarship and to move on. I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that her help allowed me to go on to Cambridge and finish my PhD. In 2008 we met at the AHA, and she encouraged me even more in my job search. Meeting her was always the high point of conferences, and I will miss her greatly.

From Matt Forstater

Our hearts are heavy with grief and sorrow to have lost our friend Shona.  We feel fortunate to have shared our lives with such a wonderful person these last fifteen years.  Our boys, Harris (21) and Raymond (14) have grown up with Shane and Alina, first in Red Hook, NY, from 1997-99, where Randy and Mat worked together at the Levy Institute and where Mat and Shona both taught at Bard College, and since 1999 in Kansas City, where Randy, Mat, and Shona all taught at UMKC.

Our families have shared many times together, including traveling to Italy, and several trips back to New York since moving to KC.  We shared many dinners, cookouts, swims, walks, and conversations.

Shortly after we all arrived in upstate NY in August 1997, we celebrated Alina’s first birthday all together as new friends, Gail six months pregnant with Raymond. Our kids trick or treated in their Halloween costumes and we shared the first of many meals, friends, and interests.  We got to know Randy’s Mom and Shona’s parents, and they got to know our parents (three of the four of whom have since passed away).  And we got to know Maggi as well. And the Minskys, the Kregels, the Harcourt/Sardoni’s, and so many good friends. And Heather the (male) cat!

We can’t recall anyone ever saying an unkind word about Shona (how rare is that?). She was a generous friend who never asked a favor, yet who could be relied upon in a pinch. Our deepest, sincerest heartfelt condolences go to Randy, Shane, Alina, Maggi, and all the Wrays and Kellys, and everyone who knew her.

Please do not hesitate to call on us for anything!

The Forstaters – Gail, Mat, Harris & Raymond