I know I'm a little late to the blogging party on this one, but much like Robin Williams' passing, this one really hurt. I mean, I didn't know the woman personally, but her humor and outrageousness has been a part of my life since I first heard What Becomes a Legend Most back in 1980. I don't remember now if I'd heard of Rivers prior to this or not, but once I heard that recording I was hooked.
As the years progressed and her very vocal LGBT advocacy became more and more pronounced, culminating with her famous, "Oh grow up!" line in the midst of the AIDS crisis, she endeared herself to my soul. I still have a copy of her "Can We Talk?" AIDS pamphlet somewhere.
While her humor in these later years at times seemed more pointed, nasty and some may even say—tired—than in the past, I remained a fan. Yes, there were times when I turned off Fashion Police simply because the manufactured venom (obviously jokes written for her, not by her at that point) crossed the line even for my libertine sensibilities, but I never stopped respecting her for all she'd done for the gay community.
You are missed, Joan and gone too soon.
I feel the same way about her. The passing of unsung heroes always leaves me with a feeling of emptiness.