Sven has asked that I post that Kolfinna Kottr, Kitty Sexton, has been taken by the Valkyries today at 4:55. She died as a true warrior with friends at her side and a weapon in hand.
Thank you ALL for your continuous support through this extremely trying time.
Thus ends the final court of Kolfinna Kottr.
Long live Kolfinna!
~Auggie
91 Comments
Long live Kolfinna!
Long Live Kolfinna!
Long live Kolfinna!
The light in the world is dimmer today. I am so sorry.
Her word-fame will live on.
Today a Queen, a Warrior and a Friend was lost. She will forever live in our hearts.
Long live Kolfinna!!!
LONG LIVE KOLFINNA!!!
Long live Kolfinna!
I am still in deep disbelief over this.
She will live long in my heart and memory, and in all whose lives she touched and made brighter.
Good hunting, Kitty.
Broinnfinn
Duchess Gleann Abhann
Long Live KOLFINA!
Long Live Kolfinna!
If there’s anything we can do. Our hearts are with you, Kurt, and Kitty’s parents and all of her friends.
All our love and sympathy.
Griffin & Stephanie
Meridies
Good Bye Kitty. You are in a better now.
Good Bye Kitty. You are in a better place now.
We’ll raise a glass for you, great warrior.
Long live Kolfinna!
Long Live Kolfinna!!!
May her Spirit find peace and love as she rides with the Valkyries into Valhalla.
May each of us keep her in our hearts as she watches over us.
Our love and sympathy to Sven and Family, and to all whose lives she touched whether in person or in spirit.
Long Live Kolfinna!
I’m sure they will be shocked out of their shoes in Valhalla.
It is with great sadness in my heart that I never met this wonderful woman. To Sven and Kolfinna’s family, please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Sincerley, Alicia Koger
Long live Kolfinna!! It was a pleasure knowing her!
I have never had the chance to meet Kitty but know that she will be missed. May her next adventure be filled with as much joy as she brought to people in this life time. To the friend I never had good-bye.
Lady Sabi Constance
Kingdom of Calontir
Long live Kolfinna!
~LONG LIVE KOLFINNA~
Long Live Kolfinna
I raise my glass to you!
My sincere condolences. She was always kind to me both as Queen and Earl Marshal. She will be missed.
Long Live Kolfinna!
Lord Edborough Kellie
Pursuivant herald
March of Tirnewydd
Middle Kingdom
Long Live Kolfinna! Valhalla will be a much better place for her presence.
I raise a glass to you tonight my friend.
Fire av hår og hjerte,
Hun som kjente ingen frykt
Nå står blant søsteren Valkyries
For å gjøre det byr på store Odin.
Lenge Leve Kolfinna!
(Norse seemed fitting)
Translation:
Fire of hair and heart,
She who knew no fear
Now stands among her sister Valkyries
To do the bidding of great Odin.
Long Live Kolfinna!
My heart goes out to all who knew Kitty, for anyone who met her even briefly, was touched by her vivacity and gentle heart. Valhalla welcomed an amazing warrior today. I know her word-fame will live on, and inspire smiles throughout the Knowne World.
I’m a friend of Svanna’s who’s been following from outside the SCA. My deepest sympathies to her family and those who knew her better than I.
I was honored that I had a chance to meet her, briefly. The world truly has lost a precious light.
Long life Kolfinna!
I had the pleasure of meeting Her Grace at Gulf War, my first war. She had a contagious laugh and a wit as sharp as her sword, and a natural grace that left this newcomer feeling as welcome and comfortable as the knights and nobles surrounding us.
May her star shine as brightly from the heavens as her smile once did. Long Live Kolfinna!
Long live Kolfinna!
The pieces of our broken hearts go out to Sven and her family, she was truly a gift to us all.
Kolfinna was a gift, given to all of us,that now we must return, yet never will we repay it. Her smile will live with me all of my days, and her inspiration will make me a better person.
From our hall, her name will sound this weekend and all nights…I will ever look for her star in the north, and await her greeting hug when I myself take the rainbow bridge.
Farewell, Sister Valkyrie… guard my seat, for when I come to take it.
A memorable lady. It was a pleasure to meet her. Sven if we can help you in any way let us know. My thoughts are with you.
Until we meet again,
Long live Kolfinna!
Sven, all of us here in Calontir are here for you. Lean on us as much as you need.
Halidor, Lucian and I were together and all felt a need to grab a drink and toast out beloved Kolfinna. It was not until later that we found out that it was exactly as she passed.
Her presence reached further than any of use really understood. The world is a smaller place now.
Lothar
Sven – I am deeply sorry for your loss. Kolfinna was a wonderful lady. The best to you, family and friends in this time of great sorrow.
Valhalla welcomes a great warrior this day. Fight on for the Dream.
Long Live Kolfinna!
love to you all
through the pain
it is sad not to have known the fullness of who she was
and the incomprehensible more of who she would have become
everyone who saw her smile near or far was blessed
she will never be forgotten
My sincere condolences to His Grace Sven. She was a wonderful lady and the world is lesser for her loss.
Long live Kolfinna.
Thunder’s Ride
With a crash like thunder, Valhalla’s gates fly open,
The sound of hoofbeats as the Valkyries ride.
Down the shaking branches of Yggdrasil,
To Midgard’s autumn they fly.
Past mountain and desert, storm and sea,
They ride towards their goal.
For a royal knight with pelican’s grace,
By a common threat laid low.
Through family and friends, mooring their loss,
To the fallen knights side they come.
Her sword in her hand, for fighting she fell
Her life’s journey sadly done.
The Valkyries salute, and hold out their hands,
By mortal eyes unseen, the knight does stand.
On cat-light feet, eyes now open and bright,
Towards Valhalla’s gates she rides.
A kingdom is cast in sorrow, the Known World weeps,
A merry and wise Duchess lost to us how?
But in the sky, though the Worldtree’s boughs,
Sir Kolfinna rides, a Valkyrie now.
(In memory of Duchess Sir Kolfinna Kottr, KSCA, OP)
- Lord Padraig o Connell
1 October AS44 (2009)
Indeed, long live Kolfinna.
And long live the lessons she taught us through her example.
The moment she set foot on that hallowed field, the hosts of Valhalla doubled in prowess, wisdom and grace.
—————-
Sven, Kolfinna’s household, and family: you have but to ask and if it is in my power, it shall be done.
-John
Friend. Warrior. Queen.
Words of power and goodness. All diminished from the passing of such a shining example of each.
She was a fine, bright young lady when I knew her in ages past and though my travels have taken me far from the fair lands of Caid, I grieve with you all.
- Leora
Light never dies; and she was illumination. How quickly she radiated her warmth and made me a part of it, the few times I was graced to be near her.
Sven and family, my heart is breaking for you.
LONG LIVE KOLFINNA!
LONG LIVE KOLFINNA!
Long live Kolfinna! You’re in a better place now, in Valhalla.
Kolfinna came to say goodbye to Calafia this evening. She was here at sunset in an immense glowing orange orb of fire over the ocean. She lit up the western sky and turned it to shimmering golden orange with the vibrancy of her spirit as she left this world to take up residence in the next. Goodbye fine and honorable lady. Never shall we see such a sunset again.
Illora
We all have lost a piece of our hearts that will never grow back. But in that space we should light a flame to always remind us of the strong, noble and wonderful person that was Kolfinna. We shall never forget you.
Long live Kolfinna!
-Munz
‘Lo, there do I see my father.
‘Lo, there do I see my mother, and my sisters, and my brothers.
‘Lo, there do I see the line of my people back to the beginning.
‘Lo, they do call to me.
They bid me take my place among them.
In the halls of Valhalla.
Where the brave, may live, forever.
We have lost her, and we all weep.
I still hear her laugh
I still see her smile
Both echo and resonate
–Too much
–Too loud
–Too bright
To ever disappear from this Dream
Or the next
Save some apples for me, Kolfinna
And I’ll make us a cyser worthy of song
Kolfinna will live long in word-fame, and in the hearts of the Knowne World.
My heart is heavy for you, dear Squire brother, and for your families and friends. In the S.C.A., we are like a family. Some members are close and others distant relatives…some simply exist while others truly exemplify the best the S.C.A. has to offer. Tonight, we have lost and Valhalla has gained one of the very best.
LONG LIVE KOLFINNA!
Gunther (52)
We see these things happen in our lives. This hurts deeper than most. I offer the parting glass:
…Oh, all the money e’er I had, I spent it in good company. And
all the harm that ever I’ve done, alas it was to none but me.
And all I’ve done for want of wit to mem’ry now I can’t recall; So
fill to me the parting glass, Good night and joy be with you all.
If I had money enough to spend, and leisure time to sit awhile. There
is a fair maid in this town, that sorely has my heart beguiled. Her
rosy cheeks and ruby lips, I own, she has my heart in thrall; Then
fill to me the parting glass, Good night and joy be with you all.
Oh, all the comrades e’er I had, they’re sorry for my going away. And
all the sweethearts e’er I had, they’d wished me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot, that I should rise and you should not, I
gently rise and softly call, Goodnight and joy be with you all.
-Sir Ryan Greenoak
My thoughts go to Kolfinna and her family and friends. She was a remarkable person and I wish I could have known her better.
She gave me some unfrogetable moments at Pennsic and I will always treasure them.
/Meisterinne Katheryn
Kingdom of Drachenwald
Even though I didn’t know you very well, I feel that my world is very much diminished with your passing, Kolfinna. I wished I had made more of an effort to get to know you.
I know many who will miss you very much.
Long Live Kolfinna!
Valhalla is richer by one mighty warrior. Ride with the Valkyries Kolfinna. As you were a shining example of honor and chivalry to us here on Midgard, so will you inspire those in Valhalla.I will always treasure my memories of you. Aran Darkhelm
I never met Kolfinna, except as an inspiration and role model. What a gift you had, to know her! Surely there is a new constellation to be seen tonight that we can show our little girls.
The world got darker today. You will be missed by many.
We send the love of Our Kingdom who is mourning with you. Kolfinna will long live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew her. Her Grace was truly that… Grace.
Long live Kolfinna a true inspiration, role model and an all around wonderful, lovely person.
Sven and family our hearts and prayers are with you.
My heart goes out to Sven and the rest of Kolfinna’s family. Kitty was a great lady…a very great lady, and a true source of inspiration. I admired her courage, her vivacity, and her spontaneity. I will miss her bright smile, her warmth, and her determined spirit, through which she gave so much of herself to those around her.
As I write from the far East, my heart is heavy with the loss of Queen for Queen of Caid she was and Queen she shall always be.
Long Live Duchess Kolfinna
Memories
Cherish your memories of the past
Hold them close hold them tight
As you make your memories of the future
Build them well build them strong
For in the end we are nothing but the memories we have
And the memories others hold of us.
John Bor Ox (Aug 2002)
She built well.
John Bor Ox
East Kingdom
Born of Califia, Caid
For Duchess Syr Kolfinna Kottr OP
“As she walks…”
I cannot pace the dragon, Nor match an eagle’s flight
Nor move the stars to sing again– tho I wish they might
I can beg the moon to rise and smile in the land
Yet I can only wonder how to turn away the sand
A thousand hearts felt time begin the day she brought them near
Time has stopped for all of us without her smile here
Three vigils graced this lady sweet, two she sat in trust
Somehow our third failed to do as we prayed it must
Dark shadows swept she from a land in need of morning bright
Dark shadows could not stand before the joyous smiling knight
Twice inspired well her lord to place Crescents on her brow
Countless times will she inspire countless good deeds now.
Clouds embrace my castle halls on this turning day
Odin cries with joy and pride for she who comes his way
Rain that falls outside my walls is not a thing of sorrow
That she walked with us for days makes better our tomorrows.
finis
something by faheud
@2009 George l reed
Kitty, you will be missed. Your hammer with your gnomish engineered goggles will forever adorn our memories. Everyone in the Darkness to Light family sends our deepest respects, even those whom haven’t met you, but still affected by your passion to lead us into the adventures of the virtual world.
We will never forget Sigrid the paladin, the one we always called Kitty.
Our society has suffered a great loss with such a loved and respected sister of the sword such as her. The Kingdom of Meridies joins in your loss, and our hearts ache for her as well. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered in the Halls of Honor.
I never had the good fortune to meet this wonderful lady, but her friends are legion and tales of her wonderful nature and good heart have reached across the boundaries and touched us all.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Sven and to Kolfinna’s family and friends.
Long live Kolfinna!
Turold
Kingdom of Trimaris
Be at peace great lady. Have strength those that are left behind to continue to honor her. Peace, prayers & comfort to all.
Kitty will live long in my heart as an inspiration of what true chivalry and nobility is. Long Live Kolfinna!
I received my Duellist this last May Potrero from Kolfinna’s hand, and it is an honor that will stay with me always.
Take care, and know my thoughts are with you.
Throughout the nineteen realms is cast a pall,
In shires and barons’ lands a grievous wail.
All noble hears break at Kolfinna’s fall.
Three weeks ago she was so strong and hail.
Though Fortune’s Wheel did spread our homes by miles
And kept our joyous meetings’ number few,
I treasure each encounter’s happy smiles
And thank the Fates I knew a Peer so true.
But she was one who ran life as a race.
With vigor did she seek the newest task
It was not hers to stick to laggard’s pace
Sweet kindness was her core, not venal mask.
We mourn the warrior, cut down in her prime,
But know she made the best of too-short time.
F*&K!!!
Go easy, Ciana/Kolfinna/Kitty.
Sven,
I know I have been around very much lately but if there is anything I can do for you, Kitty’s family, and any of your affiliated households, please let me know.
I will miss her greatly but I know she is now running Vahalla with the same spirit and joy she brought here on Earth.
Long live Kolfinna!
Marcellus
I am thankful for this shock, disbelief, and denial that keeps us from fully feeling this awful awful pain. I can’t believe this beautiful vibrant being is gone from us, way way too soon! She was the best SIL and Queen that Sven could ever have given us, and my life has been so blessed by knowing her. I will always love her, and be grateful to Sven for bringing her to our lives. Words beyond this escape me. We will be there for you in any way you need, brother Sven!
Kofinna will be dearly missed, her smile and laugh will live on with us in spirit forever.
Long Live Kolfinna!
Aww, damn! We never did get to meet in person, did we ‘finna? Still, I have learned more from your facebook comments and emails than I could ever have hoped for.
Save me a place at Valhalla’s table, Sweet Friend; let’s hope that Ternon was right, and that Calon Duchesses get an automatic pass through the door!
Hywela, Duchess Calontir, OP
As a female fighter, Kolfinna was an inspiration to me, some one who I aspired to emulate. I am so sad that I never got to meet her in person so I could thank her. The swordmaiden website she helped found was a huge boon to me when I was just starting and a continuing resource as I learn, for this I will be forever grateful. She will reside forever in her chosen paradise, a warrior and an inspiration. I’m sorry this is such a fractured message but even though I never knew her personally her death has really cut me to the quick.
Cynehild Cynesigesdohtor
Oertha
The world has truly lost one of the greatest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. I’m grateful I had a chance to know her, and saddened that I’ll not get to know her better.
Long live Kolfinna!
With confusion and a sense of displacement, she found herself standing in front of a pair of tall, wooden and iron braced doors. Without bidding, and as they had done too many times before, the heavy doors opened slowly, swinging back silently upon their hinges. She looked over her left shoulder at what was behind her and understanding slowly dawned. She slowly turned back to face the now open doors and paused momentarily…her heart heavy with sadness at leaving behind those she loved the most.
Yet, Queen and Warrior that she was, held her head high and with a strong sure step she entered through the doors, and as she did so, the sound of a thousand benches scraped across the floor, the sea of people who had been feasting noisily at the tables rose to their feet and silence fell like a wave. Suddenly and in unison, tankards slammed on the tables with a loud and echoing thunder that was felt through the very soles of her feet, and the tankards were lifted high in honor. A thunderous roar ensued as a thousand and more voices of heros and warriors, centuries past and present, shouted “Hail and Welcome Sister, Warrior, Queen!” and she was gathered into the neverending crowd with encircling arms as the doors silently swung closed behind her.
Another warrior is welcomed into the Halls of Valhalla
I fear no God
I fear no pain
As my time has come
Entering the hall of the slain
I knew her not, there are those who one does not need to know personally to be aware of their greatness.
Valentina Barrows
East Kingdom
Do not weep for a warrior gone
For we shall drink again, ere long
Don’t look for me on hill or ridge
You’ll see me soon – I guard the bridge
Odin called me to feast at his hall
His valkyries came though I gave it my all
A warrior born I gave my best fight
Too soon I went to the land of night
Twice I wore roses of gold and white
I fought for my King and he called me a Knight
From my breast sprang forth life’s blood of the moon
Hear my wound song sound – I was taken too soon
Do not weep for a warrior gone
For we shall drink again, ere long
Don’t look for me on hill or ridge
You’ll see me soon – I guard the bridge
Ever did I live with fire and pride
Chivalry and honor at my dear Svenn’s side
Remember well my laugh, recall my joyous smile
For we are only parted for a little while
I call on you now to live life for me
To sing out my name to the winds o’er the sea
I will stand fast here until the day
When I’ll walk at your side as you come my way
Do not weep for a warrior gone
For we shall drink again, ere long
Don’t look for me on hill or ridge
You’ll see me soon – I guard the bridge
An an inspirational person and cornerstone of the SCA has fallen.
I wish her well on her next journey
Long Live Kolfinna
Never have I met someone who loved not only the dream, but the people behind the dream as much as Kolfinna.
Never would you feel out of place, or unsure of your welcome, if Kolfinna was around.
Never would you fail to become part of the plot (or run over by it completely) when Kolfinna was part of the planning.
Never will I meet another queen whom I would willingly follow to Valhalla and beyond. I remain your word slave unto eternity, great lady.
Long Live Kolfinna!
Alys Chauntrey
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAgh (a mighty scream)
I yell to warn those “In the Beyond” that a warrior is on her way.
I am more for knowing Kolfinna.
I am less because she is gone.
I will try to be the shiny knight she asked all of her brother knights to be.
Long Live Kolfinna!
Jamal
I am sorry to heir the lost of a member of my exstended family. my preys or there for you and your family.
Fred Drager (thorfin the Giant)
My heart goes out to Sven, and my thoughts with all those who knew Kolfinna best.
I did not have the honor of knowing her personally, but she remains an inspiration to me and a shining example of what a woman in the SCA can accomplish, as both an artist and fighter.
Rest well, Sir Kolfinna. Rest well.
When asked about her let it be said, she is at a tournament elsewhere.
I am so terribly sorry! I cannot begin to imagine losing my partner in life!
“SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meets in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellow’d to that tender light 5
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair’d the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens o’er her face, 10
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek and o’er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow, 15
But tell of days in goodness spent,—
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.”
she is the best sister a guy could ever ask for.
aidan
A smile brighter than the sun.
A laugh that was contagious.
A sword hand which compared to none.
At times she was outrageous.
A warrior always at the backs,
Of those she would defend.
She kept her word and all her pacts.
Her journey reached its end.
Our friend has passed on from this realm,
To the mead hall in the sky.
No more will she need her helm,
So raise your Apple Ma Pie!
Though I never knew this fine lady, our society is diminished by her loss.
My very deepest sympathies from out here in the East.
– Varju of O’Choda
Kolfinna will forever remain one of my dearest, truest SCA friends. That’s not to say we hung out every event or shared a household or anything. We didn’t. But she always went out of her way to make me feel loved and befriended, as I suspect she did for so many… a magical talent she had and shared with anyone willing to open their hearts to her.
I met her on nearly my first day playing SCA and we became fast friends. Camping together, fighting together, campaigning together… This was back when she was still “Cianna” and I was 10 years older than her and not nearly as cool as she was. But she was generous with her popularity and readily shared her friends and energy and “life”. I always felt a part of something wonderful when I was with her. Then we each found boyfriends and polar-opposite personas (lol) and such, and grew apart, but no matter how busy she was, or how many thrones she sat, she never ran out of time for me. Or anyone else I imagine. She was just one of those amazing kind of people you meet once in a lifetime…
Everyone that was lucky enough to have Kitty cross their path like a black cat on Friday the 13th are the luckiest people in the world. Truly blessed. I am a better person for having known her. Some of the ways I conduct myself I picked up by emulating her style, her vivacity and her “devil may care” attitude. She was a “don’t sweat the small stuff” girl. She was a “laugh at the lame stuff” girl. She was a “love hard, play hard” girl. If I live all my life with half of her “je ne sais quoi”, I will consider it a complete success.
My biggest regret is that I never took the opportunity to tell her how much I loved her. How much she meant to me. How much I learned from her. Which seriously pisses me off. WHY do we do that? Why do I have such strong feelings about my friends, and wait to tell them? What was I waiting for?
If nothing else, Kitty’s death will teach me to “come clean”. To tell the people I love how I feel. Sooner rather than later.
Meow, Kitty.
“The candles will burn out long before, her legend ever will.”
I was awarded my AoA by Kolfinna. I will always remember that day for I was truly touched by her grace and kindness. She will be truly missed.
Watch over us until we meet again dear Queen.
Long Live Kolfinna!
When I hear “Candle in the Wind” I will think of her now and forever….