Thank you, Pat Smith for finding this article about Debbie Blackwell.
From the Times Daily, Dec, 2, 1996
MEMPHIS, TENN.
A zookeeper who was kicked unconscious by a mother giraffe has died after 20 years in a coma, her parents said.
Debbie Blackwell was 27 when she and other zookeepers tried to free a 4-month-old giraffe that had caught its neck is a stockade-like fence at the Memphis Zoo in 1976.
The baby giraffe's mother, Candy, knocked Blackwell down and kicked her repeatedly, sending her into a coma. She never regained consciousness.
Blackwell died Friday of complications from pneumonia at her parents' home in New Orleans, said her father, Ed Blackwell.
---------- Staff, Associated Press
I remember Debbie for her liveliness, humor, and wit. Who can forget Blackwell's Emporium? Debbie sold pencils, candy, and what-nots out of her school locker. I thought it was very enterprising; however, the powers-that-were shut her down after a few weeks of operation. Apparently, there was some rule against making a profit in a non-profit zone.
Debbie had her own voice, a straightforward integrity, just there, who she was. She was fun! It's difficult to accept her life cut short. A lot more people could have enjoyed knowing her, and the world might have been a little better. It's up to those of us who knew her to value her memory and be grateful for her.
May Kay (Wong)
Thank you, Pat Smith for finding this article about Debbie Blackwell.
From the Times Daily, Dec, 2, 1996
MEMPHIS, TENN.
A zookeeper who was kicked unconscious by a mother giraffe has died after 20 years in a coma, her parents said.
Debbie Blackwell was 27 when she and other zookeepers tried to free a 4-month-old giraffe that had caught its neck is a stockade-like fence at the Memphis Zoo in 1976.
The baby giraffe's mother, Candy, knocked Blackwell down and kicked her repeatedly, sending her into a coma. She never regained consciousness.
Blackwell died Friday of complications from pneumonia at her parents' home in New Orleans, said her father, Ed Blackwell.
---------- Staff, Associated Press
Candice Connor (Penno)
I remember Debbie for her liveliness, humor, and wit. Who can forget Blackwell's Emporium? Debbie sold pencils, candy, and what-nots out of her school locker. I thought it was very enterprising; however, the powers-that-were shut her down after a few weeks of operation. Apparently, there was some rule against making a profit in a non-profit zone.
Fred Laredo
I can't imagine the suffering her family had for 20 years.
Edward Sutton
Debbie had her own voice, a straightforward integrity, just there, who she was. She was fun! It's difficult to accept her life cut short. A lot more people could have enjoyed knowing her, and the world might have been a little better. It's up to those of us who knew her to value her memory and be grateful for her.
Celia Girard
I remember Debbie as being fearless, unafraid to be who she was. Energetic and lots of fun. I am glad to have had the experience of knowing her.
Carol Johnson (Robertson)
Debbie, I remember your ready smile and good sense of humor. I was stunned to hear of your passing. You are missed.