Romantic Reunion: Raymond and Cissy Chandler
Yesterday, February 14th 2011, in San Diego, California, Raymond Chandler and his wife were reunited after 57 years. When Cissy died in 1954, Chandler was too distraught to make arrangements for his wife of 30 years, who, according to Judith Freeman, was his ‘anchor, his shrine of worship, his raison d’être’. Although he was buried in Mt Hope cemetary after his death in 1959, Cissy’s cremated remains lay in storage when, in 2010, Loren Latker and others sought to reunite the pair. Yesterday’s ceremony was a celebration of their love for each other. After a jazz-enfused funeral procession, there was a grave-side ceremony, followed by a gimlet reception (Chandler’s favourite drink) at the Hilton and a celebratory dinner. Although we couldn’t attend, all of us at Venetian Vase would like to thank Latker and the others who completed and honoured their love story by reuniting the pair.
The Venetian Vase 
Nice! Thanks for the post. I’m sure it’s a grand reunion. Love your photo. Reminds me of the ongoing scene played out in Tay Garnett’s wonderful 1932 classic, ONE WAY PASSAGE, which is also about two lovers (William Powell & Kay Francis) “reuniting.”
In fact, now that I think about it, Ray, Cissy, Tay, Dan and Joan are all most likely together at this very moment sitting at the same cloud-side tavern shaing “one more” before they take flight. Here’s looking at all of them.
Steve Hodel
Los Angeles
Thanks Steve,
I haven’t seen One Way Passage, but I’ll put it on my list. It’s interesting how sharing a drink, or a cigarrette as in Now Voyager, can communicate so much without dialogue.
We haven’t got any gimlets, but we’ll be raising a glass of wine to them tonight.
Best wishes,
Diana