It was not news that would generally affect the men in our lives. But for many women — myself included — the suicide of designer Kate Spade was shocking and disheartening.

I don’t own many Kate Spade pieces: just a black handbag, a watch, and my iPhone case. But I loved the designs, and admired the Kansas City Catholic girl who made good.

Hers was a exceptionally shocking suicide. No one in the public saw it coming.

Yet her older sister, Reta Saffo, wasn’t surprised. She said that Spade had suffered from debilitating mental illness in the last few years. Saffo also claimed that Spade medicated herself with alcohol.

And then there were whispers of marital problems. Some sources said she and her husband Andy Spade were separating after 24 years of marriage. Others said that Andy Spade was “apartment shopping” in recent months.

Whatever the reason, the biggest tragedy of all is that a 13-year-old daughter, Frances Beatrix, now no longer has her mother.

Kate Spade’s suicide led Fox News political analyst Brit Hume to post this at Twitter:

The sad news of Kate Spade’s apparent suicide is a reminder of the wisdom here: pic.twitter.com/25pSOLVr6x

— Brit Hume (@brithume) June 5, 2018

Brit Hume should know. In 1998, Hume’s son Sandy committed suicide by gunshot. The 28-year-old had been arrested for speeding, and Sandy tried to hang himself in his holding cell, using a single shoelace. Authorities took him to an emergency psychiatric facility, and later released him. Experts said he was no longer a suicide risk.

But Sandy Hume went home and shot himself.

Twenty years later, the suicide of Kate Spade no doubt stirred that deep wound in Brit Hume’s soul, and led him to post that bit of wisdom at Twitter.

But there are those who still make it all about Trump. Yes, really.

Also reminds us about Trumps 2019 budget cut spending for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration by $665 million, and slashed funding for the National Institute of Mental Health by 30% — a half a billion dollar decrease.

— Linda ☽☼☾ (@aDeliciousMess) June 5, 2018

And these:

Someone at @FoxNews needs to tell @realDonaldTrump that!!

— Trumps_Bald_Spot (@Trumps_Bald) June 6, 2018

https://twitter.com/50th_President/status/1004154443695378434

“Be Kind, Always” is Brit Hume’s way of saying, “Please ignore my support for @realDonaldTrump,” who is the polar opposite of the sentiment in the quote.

— jazzmankyle (@jazzmankyle) June 5, 2018

There was hate for Fox News, too:

True. Too bad propaganda network Fox “News” incites hate and division. Please consider working for a network that encourages people to use critical thinking and promotes kindness towards everyone, not just angry white people who hate minorities.

— Mattchuto (@bumpywoot) June 5, 2018

A week ago or so I heard Greg Gutfeld describe Twitter as “the bathroom stall of the Internet.” He was right. Social media, especially Twitter, is the place where people can write all sorts of vile things about others, including the President. Too often there is little consideration for the souls ‘fighting a battle you know nothing about.’ Instead, too many are obsessed with feeding their rage machine.

I just can’t understand it.

But back to the late Kate Spade.

My black KS handbag is stored in its cloth bag which has this inscription, printed in gold lamé: “She tucked her coral lipstick away and floated back to the party.” She has now floated away herself. Why does it seem that some of the most creative among us have the most tortured souls?