Judging Lesley Gore: A Quick Rant

Today, I was saddened to learn that the wonderful Lesley Gore passed. Each news article I read said only "died of cancer."  So I traveled to www.lesleygorefanclub.com where I read something that just infuriates me, even though I know why they absolutely had to publish this in just this way:

Lesley Gore, 1960s Pop Icon, Dead at 68 

NEW YORK, NY, February 16, 2015 -- Lesley Gore, who shot to fame in 1963 at age 16 with the classic pop song, “It’s My Party (And I’ll Cry if I Want To”) and made the pre-women’s movement song “You Don’t Own Me,” a feminist anthem for many, passed away today at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City. The cause was lung cancer. Gore, who was a non-smoker, was 68. 

As I explained to you in my "Things not to say or do" post, there is often a judgmental factor people have about cancer, especially certain types. So now, without that "non-smoker" clause, Lesley Gore might be remembered, not for her tremendous courage, her feminism or her talent, but her lung cancer. Her obituary will always be immediately followed by "she was a non-smoker."  

Rant over. Rest in peace, dear Lesley. Condolences to her partner of 23 years and family. Feel free to join me in the comments, on Twitter, Facebook or Inspire.com.