Chidester, John Marshall X-plosion Marie Colette

John, or as I knew you - Sister X, you are and always were a shining example of the very best of humanity. Through your fierceness, unbounding love, and generous compassion, you became a cherished role model for me and a blueprint for who I wanted to become. The world lost many incredible souls to AIDS but your departure hurt me the most, not just for me but also for the generations who would not know your stories, your wisdom, or that fact that angels sometimes masquerade as gorgeous queer activist drag queen nuns! I love you more than I could ever put into words. You are my hero.

John was born and raised on the Blackfoot Reservation of Montana, but made a successful escape to San Francisco. He was the executive assistant to the executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, where he became my best friend at work. He was outgoing and infectiously of good cheer, leading us all to have much better social events at work. At home, he was a devoted husband to Bruce Collette (who was a wonderful baker, among other things; and passed before John, of AIDS, at the SF Zen Center), a thrower of fabulous New Year's Eve parties, and a skilled photographer, excelling in glamour shots, and architecture. John was born on April's Fool's Day, April 1, which he always thought was hilarious, yet didn't publicize. John was married once, to Joan (someone), who has the manuscript to John's autobiography, which would be so much fun to read. I loved John, and still miss him. Rest in Peace, John.