Meeting Phyllis in April

It's a bad year for nonagenarian icons—following the likes of Ernest Borgnine and Celeste Holm, comedy legend Phyllis Diller has died at 95.

I met Diller just over three months ago. She was frail and had moments of confusion but overall was still very sharp and funny. I'll never forget saying, "I'm Matt!" only to have her reply, "I'm blind!"

She was also railing against religion and Hollywood's goody two-shoes types.

At that time, we were told she had taken to wandering the house and could get lost. I understand that she had a recent terrible fall that precipitated a rapid decline.

I feel very fortunate to have met her and to have purchased some of her art. Luckily, everyone can enjoy the fruits of her central craft in the form of innumerable TV, record and film appearances from the past several decades.