A Venetian Elder Abuse

Unto us a son is given is Donna Leon's newest book, published in March, 2019. Unlike her previous 27 installments of Guido Brunetti mysteries, it concentrates on solving a case of financial elder abuse turning into murders (image courtesy Penguin UK).

Eighty-five-year-old Gonzalo Rodriguez de Tejada is a naturalized Italian. He is Brunetti's parents-in-law's best friend, his wife's godfather and unofficial uncle. As a successful art collector and dealer, he has accumulated a vast fortune and expensive Venetian apartments in his lifetime. With his rapid decline in health, Gonzalo, a childless bachelor, decides to leave everything to his newly-adopted son Attilio Circetti, Marchese di Torrebardo, instead of sharing it with his three living siblings. He lives under the illusion that young Attilio is the only one willing to learn his art business, able to love him in his old age, and appreciate his beautiful collections after he is gone. Once the adoption is made, Gonzalo drops dead while walking on the street with his sister. His funeral, conducted back home in Spain, is immediately followed by the deaths of his two oldest friends when they return to Venice for his memorial service.

With the unparalleled phenomenon of an aging population, law suits over inheritances are rising worldwide. Santa Cruz County is no exception. The Santa Cruz Sentinel calls its readers to Act as guardians to prevent elder abuse. The Grey Bears, a local organization to improve the health and well-being of seniors of Santa Cruz County, is not far behind, with a flyer provided by the Santa Cruz District Attorney, distributed far and wide among its "Brown Bag" members on July 26, 2019. (Flyer courtesy Grey Bears)

The phenomenon is such that Donna Leon, who normally creates mysteries in education, finance, medicine, or music, has dived into financial elder abuse law. For the first time, she zooms in on a new crop of predators feasting on wealthy, but vulnerable, elderly Venetians. As long as there is uneven distribution of wealth, there will be greed and abuses of many kinds. Sometimes it is straightforward, other times it needs the expertise of Commissario Guido Brunetti to untangle a disturbing and sobering mystery for the financially abused elders. 

In Memory of Flora B. Curtice Hansen

Right after 4th of July, I read from Sentinel an obituary of Flora B. Curtice Hansen, our old family therapist at the turn of the Millennium.  

Both Paul and I are saddened at Flora's passing. Flora was one of the most professional and compassionate people in our new life in Santa Cruz more than two decades ago. Unlike some stern therapists, she was kind and warm, encouraging and fostering. As a result of her great work, we, as a family, did not take any drastic measures, but have learned how to communicate with each other, and resolve problems. With her lemon tree laden with fruit outside, and friendly golden retriever sleeping inside, she taught us how to take care of plants and animals too. Before long, we adopted a white runt kitten who has grown into a beautiful calendar girl. 

Our connection with Flora did not stop with the end of therapy sessions, but has been remaining a lifelong success story. We always admire Flora's serenity and curiosity about the world, and especially her eagerness to keep abreast with the progress of her patients. We are forever grateful to her human and innovative approach.

The following is an obituary published in July 5, 2019 in Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Flora B. Curtice Hansen

Oct 5, 1930 - June 6, 2019 Santa Cruz
 

Flora B. Curtice Hansen, a psychotherapist and artist who lived in Santa Cruz since 1985, died peacefully at Sunshine Villa on June 6, 2019, at the age of 88. She had no children. Her husband, Craig Hansen, also an artist, preceded her in death several years ago. Originally from New York, she lived and worked in Berkeley for several decades before moving to Santa Cruz. Flora was a devoted friend, animal lover, delighted in her garden and life in Santa Cruz. No public memorial is planned.