Andrew K. wrote on Nov 28, 2005 6:18 AM:That someone with so many stories left to tell and such an appreciation for life passed so young saddens me beyond description. Recounting my many encounters with Agnes over the years, including having dinner with her a few weeks ago, one word comes to mind; Class. She exuded the kind of class that made everyone with which she spoke feel they were worthy of being in the conversation. I have no doubt she is with God.

Karen wrote on Nov 28, 2005 7:51 AM:We'll miss her so much on earth, but she is now before our King. She was a rare beautiful light in the newsrooms and on the pages of the NCT and The Californian, and the communities. Godspeed Agnes, and God bless you precious sister in our Lord.

John wrote on Nov 28, 2005 11:41 AM:I thought this page would be filled with comments. My wife and I were both stunned and saddened when we read the paper this morning. Agnes Diggs was the Mark Twain-ette of North County. Absolutely my favorite writer at the NCTimes - and probably in S. California. I had a chance to tell her so last year when I attended a NCTimes community forum.

Thom wrote on Nov 28, 2005 12:21 PM:I was so saddened to read the news of Agnes' passing. I use her familiar name, though I've never met her, because through her columns have made me feel as though she were an old friend. She was absolutely the wisest and best writer on the NCT staff, and no doubt there is sadness in the newsroom today. Agnes, we will miss the warmth, humor, and above all, humanity that came through every word you wrote. May your family and many friends be comforted.

Jeanette wrote on Nov 28, 2005 12:56 PM:I'm so saddened to hear of the death of Agnes Diggs. I enjoyed her column every morning and shared a lot of her sentiments. The NCTimes will not be the same without her.

Pam wrote on Nov 28, 2005 1:01 PM:Agnes had a unique gift of writing about the things that made people reflect on their past and want to improve on their futures. She'll be missed.

Jake wrote on Nov 28, 2005 1:11 PM:Agnes touched many lives and it filled me with grief to hear the news of her passing. I met Agnes during the Leonoid Meteor Shower in Lake Skinner. She approached my father and I and asked if she could sit with us. We didn't even focus on the meteor shower, we just listened to her speak of her childhood in the projects and reminisce of "orange spaghetti." Agnes was a wonderful woman who had a gift to search out the human spirit. She will be missed emensly.

Karen wrote on Nov 28, 2005 1:36 PM: We'll miss her so much on earth, but she is now before our King. She was a rare beautiful light in the newsrooms and on the pages of the NCT and The Californian, and the communities. Godspeed Agnes, and God bless you precious sister in our Lord.

Nancy G wrote on Nov 28, 2005 1:58 PM:Agnes has left us too soon. I always looked forward to reading her column and felt like she was an old friend, although I only met her once, last year at a NCTimes community forum. Such warmth in her smile and her written words! She will be missed.

Robert wrote on Nov 28, 2005 2:11 PM:Agnes Diggs' death is a loss to humanity. As a contributing photographer to the North County Times in 2003-04 I worked with Agnes on numerous feature stories. She is one of the few reporters that has made an impact on me. Her articulate, soft tone and lucid reflections are unforgettable.

Cathy wrote on Nov 28, 2005 2:40 PM:I was shocked and saddened this morning upon seeing the front page, I felt like I'd just lost a dear friend. Agnes was a fellow Bostonian, so I was able to fully relate to her tales of growing up back east. I will surely miss her and her column. God Bless you Agnes...You made a difference during your short time here on earth. God has great company in having you with him now!

Henry wrote on Nov 28, 2005 2:45 PM:A great person is defined by how many lives they have touched. Agnes Diggs was definitely a great person because she had touched many lives not only here in the Temecula Valley but, across the United States. I spent many hours with Agnes listening to her stories and watching how well she interacted with the community. She was one who believed in God, his Law, and that of being a good neighbor. She would go out of her way to maintain contact with her friends and family, both she cherished dearly. My family and our community will surely miss her. God's speed Agnes, we will look for your feature story when we get to Heaven.

Bev wrote on Nov 28, 2005 3:37 PM:I first met Agnes a few years ago at Congregation B'nai Chaim in Murrieta when she covered a memorial for Holocaust victims and survivors. Her follow-up story evoked such emotion, and revealed a very sympathetic point of view that came through like no other coverage since then. She was genuine...one of a kind...and will be sorely missed by many who knew her, not only personally and/or professionally, but those who knew her from her eloquent and thought provoking writings. G-d has another angel in his midst.

M wrote on Nov 28, 2005 5:05 PM:Agnes first touched my life at a recruiting seminar in Los Angeles. When she sat down at my table and spread her writing samples in front of me, her warmth, sincerity and ability to paint pictures with her words struck an instant chord. Over the ensuing years she never missed a chance to tell me I was her angel. Now I know she is one. Peace be with you Agnes, as you walk the circle of life. We miss you.

Kathy wrote on Nov 28, 2005 6:01 PM:I will miss the warm and friendly columns by Agnes. I never met her but feel that I have lost a friend. I loved the magic she spun with words and I shared so many of her values. Good-bye, my friend

Roman wrote on Nov 28, 2005 6:35 PM:A sweet lady who really cared about humanity and its best qualities. I'm glad I had the opportunity to know her.

Shelby wrote on Nov 28, 2005 6:54 PM:I had the pleasure of meeting Agnes last year when she puplished a story on the "50 years after Brown v. Board of Education" in which I was featured along with the former City Attorney of Oceanside. I communicated with her via email and by phone several times and found her to be a very talented person with vast interests, with an infectuous smile that lit up the environment. She will be sorely missed and I will access the archives to be sure I haven't missed any of her previous stories. Shelby

Carla wrote on Nov 28, 2005 6:57 PM:Agnes-I will never forget your weekly words of wisdom. From the minute I walked into the Escondido office you placed your arms around me, and never let go. I am sure you are already giving God your much welcomed advice.

Meredith wrote on Nov 28, 2005 7:25 PM:How my husband and I looked forward to Agnes's column every week! Such pearls of wisdom, mutual experiences in life, and love and warmth that Agnes exuded! How I regret not emailing Agnes to let her know how wonderful her column (an extension of her) was...she is already missed.

Dave wrote on Nov 28, 2005 8:22 PM:What an amazing person she was. Agnes Diggs is one of my favourite writers ever. She could sum up humanity in one column. She will be missed.

Lynne wrote on Nov 28, 2005 8:38 PM:I was priviledged to meet Agnes only once in person and hear her speak at an AAUW meeting,but listened to and enjoyed her talks(columns)over the years.She was an asset to our community and will truly be missed.God now has a wonderful angel to look over us. Blessings to Agnes' family and friends.

David C. wrote on Nov 28, 2005 10:49 PM:I really miss Agnes. We had such fun working together telling the stories of folks who live in the Temecula valley and telling stories to each other. I talked about my children and wife, she told me stories of her life and the lessons she learned. As much as she loved to talk, she loved to listen even more, and that is what made her a great reporter, columnist, and human being. I love you Agnes, and I remember all you taught me. Don't worry.

Elin wrote on Nov 29, 2005 9:31 AM:You're gone now, and I certainly hope you weren't afraid. I never shared with you how much I loved your column in the Californian, but I hope whoever reads this will know that I thought of you often. You called me and did a phone interveiw several years ago--that's how we met--and I never forgot your friendliness and your humor. You're the reason I subscribed to the Californian, and began reading your columns after that. Then I discovered that the Californian carries the Cryptoquote, and I love that feature, too. Oh, I'm rambling. I just want to share that some people will be missed more than others, and that you, Agnes, were a real voice for the humanness of our community. If any good is to come from your early death, let it be in the message that life is short, and we need to take good care of our bodies so that we can live a longer time. I know you were completely surprised that your body let you down, yet you would have addressed that with your wry humor as well. If any good can come from your passing, you have given me a gift to take better care of my own. I am sad today, and will wait to find out about your memorial service. I hope my email can get to your family. Thanks, Agnes, for letting me into your life.

Kathryn wrote on Nov 29, 2005 12:58 PM:Oh how I will miss Agnes's columns; I looked forward to them so much - her outlook on life was such a joy to read! How very sad that she passed away at such a young age; there was so much more joy she could have shared with us.

Kim S. wrote on Nov 29, 2005 1:48 PM:Thank you Agnes for all the incredible support thru the years for our Temecula Girl Scouts. When we would see you at local events I loved to joke with you about being a Girl Scout having fun at the events ... Sock Hops, International fairs. I always thanked you for your Girl Scout angel wings & told you that you were our gaurdian angel ... had no idea you would need to trade those in for a more permanent set so soon. The articles you covered on us were wonderful. When another was giving us a bad time you were there to defend us, & once again show your green angel wings. Its been fun & Thank you to an incredible lady ...

Kim wrote on Nov 29, 2005 2:30 PM:Thank you Agnes for all the incredible support thru the years for our Temecula Girl Scouts. When we would see you at local events I loved to joke with you about being a Girl Scout having fun at the events ... Sock Hops, International fairs. I always thanked you for your Girl Scout angel wings & told you that you were our gaurdian angel ... had no idea you would need to trade those in for a more permanent set so soon. The articles you covered on us were wonderful. When another was giving us a bad time you were there to defend us, & once again show your green angel wings. Its been fun & Thank you to an incredible lady ...

Stacey K. wrote on Nov 30, 2005 8:32 AM:My heart sank when I heard Agnes had left us. What a loss indeed! Agnes was truly an amazing woman. She had a warmth and charm about her that could make anyone feel totally at ease just talking to her. While her journalism career and my p.r. career have crossed through her resume, it was through the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival that we finally connected. She was a cheerleader, supporter, believer and faithful follower and attendee of the event, and covered it with much love. She was always interested in the the inner workings of the event and was more dazzled by the volunteering aspect of it than anything else. Which shows you the kind of person she was as well as the journalist she wanted to be - getting to the heart, the core of a story, the human element. I cried tears of joy on the phone with her - during this conversation. I was becoming disenchanted with how news was becoming manufactured under the conglomerates. Agnes showed me the opposite with her special magic that made her stories come to life and left every reader with the ultimate warm fuzzy. She will be deeply missed...but the gift she left us with, is truly a gift that keeps on giving. For every person that ever knew her,talked to her, worked with her - knows of her stength, determination, her wonderful soul. For every stranger that reads her work, knows her magnificent spirit...beautiful!

Ginger Rodigo wrote on Nov 30, 2005 1:22 PM:I had been in recent contact with Agnes. Actually within the past couple weeks. We were in hopes of having her be a special guest speaker for our Insurance Women Association dinners. I had always thoroughly enjoyed her column and knew she would be a terrific speaker and very entertaining. What a charming, delightful person I found her to be. I loved her commentaries on everyday life. Her observation on life pretty much paralled my own. What a joy. She will be greatly missed. It would appear that everyone that knew her, LOVED HER. Goodby Miss Agnes and Godspeed. Ginger Hodges-Rodigo

Sunni wrote on Nov 30, 2005 3:10 PM:I can't tell you how saddened and shocked I was to read that Agnes was gone forever. How unbelieveable, I had been meaning to email her and introduce myself, to let her know how much I appreciated her insight. How I was amazed at her ability to wrap words around thoughts and feelings like a lazy creek winding it's way down a mountain, pooling at the end and tying it all together. I loved Tuesdays, making my coffee and opening the paper to Agnes' column. I am so sorry for our loss as readers, and to all her friends and family, I send my condolences. Agnes touched many lives, and will be deeply missed.

Bonnie Wren wrote on Dec 1, 2005 6:27 AM:John said it perfectly: "Agnes Diggs was the Mark Twain-ette of North County." She was a great writer with a big heart and if I read anything at all in the NCT, I'd read Agnes first. For me it is as if a good neighbor has passed away. Good-bye, dear lady.

Leslee wrote on Dec 1, 2005 10:17 AM:Agnes, I'm so glad I had a chance to know you. I know I never told you, but I looked forward to the times when you would stop in to eat lunch with us, or to simply say hello. You always had something important to say and you made a huge impact on me because you truly cared for everyone. I miss your great smile and the sound of you humming your gospel songs as you walked around the office. You were a ray of sunshine in my life, and I really miss you. My life will be a little darker without you in it. I'm crying because you're not here with us anymore, but I'm comforted knowing that you are with God. He must have one heck of a plan for you Agnes! That must be the reason He took you from us so soon. I look forward to the day when we sit and talk again, but until then, goodbye my friend, and God Bless you. Leslee

Bridgette wrote on Dec 1, 2005 10:39 AM:Godspeed, Agnes.

Art from METPRO wrote on Dec 1, 2005 11:25 AM:Agnes, you were my closest friend and a true ally during Times of fierce competition in LA. You always lifted my spirits, brought a smile to my face and made the newsroom -- and this world -- a brighter place. Your words of wisdom, your compassion and your ability to spin a great story will never be forgotten. Your friend and ally forever, Art.

Eve wrote on Dec 1, 2005 1:26 PM:Agnes was my friend and even mentioned that fact in one of her columns about Snow White. As a fellow Bostonian and English Major- I enjoyed all of her colorful writings and vivid discriptions. She always had a compliment for everyone. Amazingly insightful and full of smiles for everyone, she will be missed.

Joyce wrote on Dec 1, 2005 3:54 PM:Although I knew Agnes only through her columns, over the years she could make me smile broadly, tear up, think more deeply about my own values, and marvel at her wonderful sense of humanity. I will miss all that she brought to her many admirers through her gifted writing.

Diana S wrote on Dec 4, 2005 4:22 PM:I never met her but feel a hugh loss with her passing. Her stories expresseda little bit of each of us and made the world a better place.

Debbi & Marc wrote on Dec 4, 2005 10:15 PM:We were so blessed to have known you. You will be missed dear lady.

Robert B. wrote on Dec 7, 2005 8:33 AM:A 'Class' lady who apparently trancended the lives of many of us with her stories of life.

alyse wrote on Dec 7, 2005 11:43 PM:Dear Agnes - I was always excited to read your column. I was shocked at your passing and you will always be an angel watching over us. You are beautiful.

Sylvester wrote on Dec 12, 2005 7:04 PM:I always enjoyed her column when I read it. I will miss seeing her happy picture on the Local section every couple of days. Much love to all.

Barbara wrote on Jan 1, 2006 1:58 PM:Triste by Agnes Diggs Remembrance comes to fill the narrow corners And trees distort the image of your face Darkness settles in the void between us And sorrow comes to fill your empty place. One night I was reframing artwork of the illustration I had created for the above prose by Ms. Agnes Diggs. The next morning my friend called to say she had news that Agnes passed away in November. She wanted to know if I could go online and find out if it were true. The information she had was sketchy; something about a niece in California finding a phone book and calling some of the numbers for East Coast contacts. I found it unbelievable that Agnes had transitioned and it was three to four weeks before we found out. I did a “Google” search; hit “I’m feeling lucky” and there she was before me, looking beautiful at 56 and smiling her usual big smile when she thought something was really funny but wasn’t going to tell you what it was -- just yet. In the early 70’s, our apartments were side by side in a building on Columbia Road. She had a TV. I didn’t. I loved watching TV so I had to watch what she watched. She gave me an appreciation for all old black and white movies. We would watch and laugh at them for hours. Oftentimes, we would take slow walks to Fowler Street to visit her mother. And, boy, she made the best lemonade! Agnes had an awesome vocabulary which worked well for her in her future career as a journalist. Once while working on the greeting cards that were going to make us famous, I didn’t know what the word maelstrom meant and she explained it without making me feel inadequate. We were an artistic team for a few years. After we moved to separate locations; the distance between visits became longer until she moved to Georgia. Agnes came back to Boston briefly to attend her mother’s funeral. I wanted her to keep in touch and she said she’d do a better job of it in the future. She would send the occasional card but didn’t keep in regular contact but that was Agnes, so I didn’t expect her to. For the well respected writer she was and life experiences she had, she was still a very private person which I respected. Since she was popular and loved in California, I’d like her to be remembered in Boston just as fondly. Some of her friends are putting together a memorial service. I’m sure it would make a great follow-up article.

Jasmin wrote on Dec 2, 2006 2:00 PM:I was thinking about you and started shedding a few tears. I miss you and wish we could share a good conversation again! Love you, Jasmin H.

Fran B. wrote on Sep 7, 2007 5:45 PM:In high school, Agnes was one of my favorite people. I was white and Jewish, she was black and Christian, yet we were equals and friends. We grew up in the same black neighborhood and worked hard to get into and graduate college. We ate lunch and played after-school sports together. No one could deliver a volleyball serve with the precision of Agnes. And no one could match her kind, full-of-life smile. I didn't know she lived so close, and now I've missed the opportunity to reconnect and tell her how memorable she was to me. Rest in peace, Agnes.