Chilli Pepper: Memories of a friend

We thought she would live forever.

Chilli Pepper had that kind of life force where you couldn’t imagine her not being here. But leave us she did at 7:02 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 11. We knew she had been ill for quite a while, but she never complained so we had hope.

But I get it, she was afraid of doctors and check-ups, as many of us are. No one wants to hear confirmation of something you might already know instinctually. She fought a years-long battle with colon cancer and, during her chemo, I would ask how she’s feeling and she would always put on a smile and a positive attitude. That’s one of the things I loved the most about her- her positive attitude was infectious, but I know now it must’ve been hard to hide hurt.  

I met Miss Chilli Pepper when I first moved to Chicago in 1974. I loved her instantly- as everyone does who meets her. Her Baton family became my family since I hadn’t made many friends when I moved here from a small town. She and the Baton “girls” enveloped me with friendship and, as a matter of fact, Chuck and I had our first date there! I wanted him to love my friends like I did and, of course, he did.

Throughout the years, we would become regulars at the Baton. We would always stay late to chat and I took many friends there...including my aunt, all my cousins and the legendary tennis player Jimmy Connors. He loved her instantly and reverently bowed to her at the stage to pay homage and offer a tip, as was/is the custom.

So many memories- she was always up for anything and loved to go, go, go. She would go to a diner or a fine restaurant and be equally happy and at home. (Although she did love the caviar flight at Tru and any movie at the theater.)

The same goes for her celebrity friends, of which she had many, most notably Oprah. I remember Chilli gleefully telling me in March that O wanted her to present an award to her in L.A. The problem was Chilli didn’t fly or drive, so O made sure she had a first-class train ticket along with a friend. Chilli sent her a beautiful throw as a thank you gift and O sent back a video of her opening the present and thanking her. Chilli was so proud of this experience. But I will say, she was equally happy chatting with a VIP as with a busboy.

Chilli was a very thoughtful gift giver. One of her favorite things to do was to photograph a party she would attend with you and then send photos the old-school way. She would take pics with an old, tiny Canon camera (that she had forever) and then take the film to Walgreen’s to get developed. Shortly after the event, a thank-you card would arrive with photos of you with her from the evening spent together.

She was a remarkably talented female impersonator; I would say the best in the world because she was the whole package. Personality plus and an innate empathy for others. She knew who she could tease from the stage and who might be too shy. The crowd adored her. When she opened her numbers peeking around the curtain, the fans went wild. Me too. Chuck too. She created such an aura of excitement, it was infectious. No one wanted to leave any show where she appeared. She was a true star in every sense of the word.

We talked on the phone often and got together when we could. Lately, I’ve been so busy working, too busy really. The last time we spoke, she said, “We have to get together Mary….” I will forever regret not making a plan right then and there.  

She will be missed by so many. Anyone who knew her is feeling a great hole in their hearts now. We will never see that sincere and loving smile again- she had a lust for life like no other.  The angels are in for a real treat.