My uncle Marty—like so many of his cherished friends and neighbors—lost his Altadena home in the Eaton Canyon Fire as January 8 dawned. Having spotted flames the night before, coming closer than he had seen in his 25 years in this charming 1940’s home, he drove away that night with only his loyal companion, Lucy, at his side and an overnight bag—sure he would return to the place he loved.

As we now know, that is not to be. The home he scrimped and worked so hard to save for is a total loss. Family heirlooms, gone. Photos, gone. Prized Pasadena Winfield pottery and childhood stamp collection, gone. But we are forever grateful to have our Marty and Lucy (the sweetest Lab).

Marty would never ask for anything for himself, because that’s not who he is. But we know he will be lifted by your love and support, especially with a needed surgery coming soon. Words cannot express the heartbreak we feel for Marty, and for all who have been bettered by the love, creative spirit, influential history, and profound sense of community that was Altadena—and will be again.

Thank you,

Eleanor Reitzel