One of the most memorable parts of our trip to France this summer was the day Andrew and I visited Chantal at the senior residence in Aix-en-Provence where she lived. She was 94 years old and as lovely as ever. As Chantal and I spoke in French, I looked into her eyes and saw the sparkle of her younger days, when we lived at Domaine de Valcros, the Provençal manor where she hosted students on the third floor. Chantal always wore a skirt and blouse, and toujours, toujours Chamade, the wonderful Guerlain perfume. As it turns out, we were among the last to see her. Chantal died two weeks later. These photos were taken when I revisited in the 1980s. Chantal's son Thibault stated it perfectly: "Maman était vraiment l'amour, la joie, bonne humeur, l'attention et l'écoute des autres." (Translation: "Mom was really love, joy, good humor, caring, and attentive to others.") Rest in eternal peace, dear Chantal de Kernanois.
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