My friend Misty Catherine Bassi was killed riding her bike in 2009. She was the most gentle person I have met, and it took me a long time to register that Misty was gone.
We met at the UMass pagan group where we were often the only people over 20 to attend meetings. She would always insist on grounding cerebral concepts by demanding how lessons could be applied to everyday life. Misty was also one of the only people who could out talk me about Babylon 5, a brilliant and campy Sci Fi series, and she nursed a burgeoning talent for drawing.
Misty started life landing in a bad situation and was adopted away. Misty worked long hours as a custodian for more than a decade to put herself through UMass. Misty was killed two day after finally graduating.
Misty Catherine Bassi Memorial UWW Scholarship, UMass AmherstMisty @ Photobucket- June 9, 2010: Misty Bassi memorial at Ghostbikes.org
- June 1, 2010: Remembering Misty, Only in the Republic of Amherst
- April 21, 2010: A better reminder, Only in The Republic of Amherst
- April 21, 2010: Scholarship honors UMass graduate Misty Bassi, killed while riding bike to work in Amherst, Masslive
- Winter 2010: Bassi”s story and can be found in Winter 2010 edition of UMass Amherst Magazine
October 31, 2009: In Our Opinion: A family”s forgiveness, Daily Hampshire Gazette- October 29, 2009: Family of Misty Bassi, killed while riding bicycle in Amherst, urges leniency for Parvin Niroomand, sentenced to 3 years probation, Masslive
June 5, 2009: Bassi recalled as wonderful, unique, Amherst Bulletin- June 3, 2009: Lawyer says 75-year-old Parvin Niroomad, accused of killing bicyclist in Amherst, not trying to evade police when she drove home, Masslive
- May 30, 2009: When bad things happen…, Only in The Republic of Amherst
May 29, 2009: Obituary: Misty C. Bassi, maintainer with Housing and Residence Life, UMass AmherstMay 29, 2009: Remembering Misty Bassi, CBS3 News- May 27, 2009: Parvin Niroomand of Amherst to face vehicular homicide charge in death of bicyclist Misty Bassi, Masslive
May 27, 2009: Drive Charged in Amherst fatal collision, CBS3 News- May 27, 2009: Amherst woman, Misty Bassi, identified as victim of fatal bicycle accident, Masslive
May 26, 2009: Bicyclist killed in car accident, WWLP
