I was very sad to hear of the passing of Laura Eakins.  I thought
I would share a few words about her.

She was a sweet and caring lady who had a special love of mechanical
music.  I learned of Paul and Laura from their record album 'Nickel
Music' from the Gay 90s Village.  I began corresponding with them and
we exchanged many letters.

It was usually Laura herself who wrote to me.  She would tell me
about projects that Paul was working on or their latest venture in
collecting.  She wrote about the sale of their instruments to Disney
and all the implications of that.  They were actually sad to see the
instruments being hauled off.  Paul and Laura had a special bond with
each instrument, and they treated each one like a living creation that
was part of the family.

I used to send them little wooden models I made of coin pianos and band
organs, and she would display them in their office.  One thing I remember
was that, when I received a letter or package, the stationery had the
scent of Paul's cigar or pipe tobacco.  It was always fun to get a
package from them.

They made automatic music fascinating to me and I will always have this
memory.  Laura was a wonderful woman who took the time for other people
and cared about the small things in life, and this excellent spirit is
what makes life and automatic music so much better.

Brian Smith