It's Been A Year and I Still Miss Joan

Our dear family friend Joan died a year ago yesterday after fighting a long and brave fight with multiple bouts of breast cancer.

Truthfully, Joan was more family than friend. She was a second mom to Dave and me. Joan took us to the Cubs first night game in 1988 with her son. When our mom tried to kill herself and Dave was sitting in the hospital all alone until the wee hours of the morning without ever being spoken to by a doctor, Joan noticed his car wasn't home yet and went to the hospital after midnight and made the doctors talk to him and let him see our mom. Growing up, we shared countless dinners with Joan and her family. I always knew I could go to Joan about anything.

My street feels empty without her. She was the glue that kept everyone together. She knew all the news, not in a gossipy way, but in a caring and concerned neighbor kind of way. For many years, Joan organized the block party. I heard we were having one this year, but saw no evidence that it came to fruition. I was at my college reunion the weekend it was scheduled, but I don't think I could have gone if I'd been in town.

I remember at her wake last year, over 1000 people came. The church was overflowing for her funeral. I remember seeing people I knew, but had no idea knew Joan until I saw them crying at her funeral. Joan was loved. And she loved everyone.

To read her obituary, click here.