8/27/08 Bette Hagman, better known as “the gluten free gourmet” passed away earlier this month. I found many tributes to her on the internet, but few factual details. I finally found a summary of a “visit” that she made to a gluten free support group in Victoria, British Columbia, in 2001. A luncheon was given in her honor the following day, and Mona (of madebymona.com), provided this account of the occasion:

  “I found her to be an interesting, warm, unassuming and refreshingly genuine woman.  I took this opportunity to personally thank Bette, from all of us with CD and gluten intolerance.  After all, without her, where would we all be today?  I learned that Bette had worked as a writing teacher for many years and has also published mystery novels.  She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in her 50's and before that time "was not a cook".  She did however know how to write… and the rest, as they say, is history.  Bette published her first cookbook 'The Gluten Free Gourmet' at age 65….  She mentioned the importance of 'Attitude' several times.  I as well, believe it is the important first step in living a happy, healthy, Gluten Free life.  Thankfully, Bette takes her own advice.  Armed with a healthy attitude, desire to create Great Gluten Free food and numerous unknown flours, Bette Hagman entered her kitchen as a 'NON COOK' almost thirty years ago.  Today her name is synonymous with Gluten Free Cookery the world over.”

  Celiac Disease is a unique malady in that persons without formal training do most of the significant work. Celiacs take care of each other, celiacs learn to meet their own needs and share what they learn to help others in the same situation. Very often, this becomes a second or a retirement career. For most of her life Bette Hagman was a “non-cook” and a “non-dietician” who knew nothing about celiac disease. I hesitate to compare myself to her, but I first heard the word “celiac” when I was 61 years old and knew almost nothing about the internet. I admire the “can do” attitude that the celiac community alive

  A “web event” is occuring as a memorial to Bette Hagman. The idea is that each of us is to bake something from one of her books, photograph it, and post it on our website. Click here for a more detailed explanation. It suddenly occurred to after I started writing this article that I have never baked anything “from scratch” before. (I have used mixes.) But I will learn! Celiac do that. Wish me luck!