Debra Tate was 17 when her 26 year old sister, Sharon died, and since the death of their mother, Doris, she has provided the Tate family presence at various parole hearings.Due to this, she has also put herself under the microscope of the media where she is often targeted for ridicule. Her desire to see justice served has many times been lost under the constant reminders of her own past personal mistakes. (Yes, we are referring to the Oui spread *shudder*).
Elizabeth Folger was 8 when her 25 year old sister, Abigail died. Too young to be told how Gibbie's life had come to an end, but old enough to know she was never coming back.Nothing is known of the relationship the two Folger sisters had, given the 17 year age gap, but a tragedy such as this would surely define a moment of the younger girl's childhood.
Elizabeth has never attended a parole hearing, never publicly spoke of Abigail and as a result is only known through extensive research on Abigail's life.
On one hand, we have one sister, who time has not been kind to as she continues to fight for justice, and whose past mistakes often overshadow her crusade. But on the other hand, we have the rarely spoke of sister, who has remained silent and nearly anonymous, whose only public contribution to her sister's legacy is funding a book endowment (The Abigail Folger Library Fund).
Debra Tate might stretch the truth now and again but she has given Sharon what Abigail's family never gave her in death: A voice.
Elizabeth Folger, classy she may be, will one day be the only surviving immediate family member of Abigail Folger and if by some divine miracle, you happen to read this little blog... It's never too late to give your sister a voice.
Well stated. I never new Abigail had siblings until sometime in the 90's.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteEnough time has passed for Abigail's sister to speak in some manner. Just out of respect for her sister's memory. On the other hand Elizabeth was so young when the murders took place and with such a huge age gap between the two how much could she remember much about her sister? Then again I am sure other family members have filled her in over the years. But yes, I feel there should be SOMETHING official for Abigail. Even a website with unseen photos or video. With the Folger family being so well off, there has to be some video footage of Abilgail. That would be so great to see! I have no interest in Abigail's death, only in celebrating her brief but fascinating life!!
ReplyDeleteThe family of the victims are not required to speak publicly about their most horrible pain from this tragedy. Some people, especially wealthy people, prefer to keep things private. Elizabeth does not owe Abigail any public comments, as I'm sure she has grieved in her own way, growing up in the shadow of this heinous murder.
ReplyDeleteI imagine the family of Abigail Folger suffered greatly at her death, but preferred to grieve privately. That is worthy of respect. From everything I've read, her life and death, like many others' before and after her, was a delicate, complex and fascinating weave of human experiences, emotions, abilities and relationships that are best appreciated in private. I believe the family owes the general public absolutely nothing. The library fund is a lovely tribute.
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