I first briefly met Joann around 1972.  I was a friend of her daughter Linda. I had never seen such a beautiful, outgoing, and vibrant woman.  Over the years, I would be around her off and on continuing to learn about her.  She would certainly speak her mind and never hesitated to ask questions.  Her laughter came easily and quick.  She most assuredly was a very honest, direct person with much integrity and warmth.  Simply thinking of Joann makes me smile as I can hear her laughter and feel her sincerity.

Our first laugh together I guess was on a Mother’s Day.  Her daughter Linda brought about the circumstance.  Linda told me she was going to go to her Mom’s for the day. She teared up and said she wanted to ask me to go with her, but knowing I had lost my mom, she did not want me to feel bad.  Then it came to her that she would share her Mother with me on that Day.  We all had quite a laugh about it, but it was for real, it was sincere and it happened.  On every Mother’s Day, I would think about Joann and I knew if I looked her up on that day or called her, she would be my Mom.  It always brought a smile to my lips, but a tear followed it.  I will always remember the two of them, Joann and Lindo on that Day, again, with a smile on my lips and tears on my face.  I love you girls.

It was during the time her daughter Linda was suffering with terminal cancer that we became very good friends.  Joann came to live with Linda to care for her and to provide her comfort.  She gave up her own personal life, because Linda was one of her beloved children and it was something Joann had to do and she did it with grace and desire.

Joann along with the entire family welcomed each and every one of Linda’s friends.  She made us feel appreciated, comfortable and respected.  Anytime was okay with her for a friend to drop by and pay their respects.  We all loved her.  One of the friends even showed up with a pair of tennis shoes for her one day.  Joann had complimented the friend on her tennis shoes during a visit.  Being so happy to please this wonderful and powerful lady, the friend brought her a matching pair on her next visit.

She grew up in a bad time of America causing much sacrifice within families to merely exist.  There was indeed much sacrifice, but she grew into a strong person, with appreciation, pride and honesty.  She became capable of surviving any situation and making do.

 I have to tell you, that I am honored to have had Joann as a friend and to have had her acceptance of me as a friend.  She was one of a kind.  I love that woman and I know she is looking down on us right now with stars sparkling in her crown and smiling.  She has served her time in this world and God has summoned her to his heavenly home for a well-earned rest.  She loves us all and we love her.  Thank you Joann for being my friend.  Say hello to my Linda, then give her a big hug for me.  I miss you both.

All my love,

Edie Potts

 "The eternal God is our dwelling place, and underneath us are the everlasting arms."  Jesus said, "Even though you die, yet shall you live; because I live, you live also.  In God's universe, there are many places for us; if it were not so, would I have told you, I go and prepare a place for you, and where I go, you go also?"

This is Good News from Jesus because it means where God is JoAnn Cossey Koller is also.  This Good News means JoAnn has always been living in the presence of God's love.

So,...very early Tuesday morning, November 3rd,..days after the golden-harvest-full-moon-Wednesday-night-ambulance-ride to St Vincent Hospice, JoAnn transitioned into a new life,...stepping into God's presence in a way we do not yet understand.

JoAnn's new experience,...her new way of being...is God's Good News for all of us!  JoAnn lived her life as a holy child of God...and her living and her dying are sacred. Today's celebration, designed almost completely by JoAnn in 2011,...is for remembering her life,...it is for celebrating her life with our laughter and our tears; and it is a time for all of us to love and comfort JoAnn's family...while we care for each other.  Amen. 

Reverend Mary

Donna McElroy Jones, Reverend Mary's sister -in-law ,"hand-danced" "O Holy Night"  Joann loved to watch her present songs in movement

Donna McElroy Jones, Reverend Mary sister -in-law ,"hand-danced" "O Holy Night"  Joann loved to watch her present songs in movement. 

Happy Birthday to Aunt Joann!  Thinking of all of you today - feel my arms around you.  I am going to stop and see Mom this evening. 

We are having strawberry cake for her Birthday.  She always made it for us, it was the best.     

Love you!  
Mom, Pam and Jeff

 

I'm sorry I haven't responded, but I started a new job with the state yesterday and have been busy. I watched your memory of my grandma today at work and it made me cry. It means a lot to me that you made that page for her and I love reading all the things you and everyone else wrote. Thank you for adding the letter I wrote also. It's funny to me that you wrote about her strawberry shortcake because she always made it and everyone always loved it, but I hate strawberries and she would always tell me how crazy I was for not liking them. She would alway make sure she had another dessert for me when I was around. She was a special lady that always wanted to please everyone.     

Christy

 

That's great and I know Mom is looking down on on all of us !!

I Love You All and thank you guys. 
Rita