It has been 9 years and I still have things I want to tell you and then remember I can't. Hope you know how much I think about you and that I am learning more about your life. Love xx

Cousin JoAnn We miss you !!!

Every June I stop to remember my so-with-it big sister and how much she showed me about living with style. 

Happy happy Birthday !! We miss you !!!

We'll miss you at the Papafrangos reunion, but Clare and Miles will be here for you and the Papafrangos-chosen part of the family.

Happy Birthday Jo-Ann Rest in Peace !!!!!

Thinking of you today and always. 

Cousin Jo-Ann we miss you!!! You brought so many bright and lasting memories to all of us.

Some days I can't wait to tell mom something that I learned, or remembered, or a question I want to ask, and then I realize I can't phone her up and tell her. However, I'm pretty sure I just need to think more about it and send her a message another way. There is so much more I wish I could have shared, and mostly just let her know all the ways she shaped my life. Right now, I am thankful for all the memories and tributes from family. She was a pretty amazing woman. 

This would be Jo-Ann's 90th birthday. How could that be? First, I so wish she were still here to share stories about the early days in NM and our family, and to share the wonders of new worlds exposed to us through education and European thinking. Jo-Ann's vast intellect was the pride of our father, Pop, who never got the education he wanted and deserved. Rest in peace, Jo-Ann, though I truly wish you were still here to continue as my Big Sister and Leader. I am a Democrat because of you, because it was so cool, at the time to support Adlai Stevenson. Look down and know that you/we won.

Happy Happy 90th Birthday Cousin Jo Ann !!!

Happy Happy Birthday Remembrance to my Cousin Jo-Ann 

Almost a year ago today Miles and I scattered JoAnn's ashes on Mount Tamalpais, overlooking Stinson and Bolinas Beaches. Miles read a lovely tribute and we spent some time enjoying the gorgeous day, knowing JoAnn would have loved the balmy -not too hot- breezes blowing across the golden hills and hearing the far-away surf crashing as it reached the coastline. Hard to believe it has been 4 years already, and I hope she and Charlie are having some fun, laughing with their old friends who have joined them in a place of love and light.

Thinking about my mother so much this last 9 months living in Lyon, France. Lyon is the home of Antoine St Exupery, who wrote Le Petit Prince, which we read together in French when I was young. And she was fluent in French and raised me to love French culture by surrounding me with French music, words, books and food. It has come alive for me this year, and I am forever grateful for my intrinsic familiarity with France due to her influence. And I am sad when I want to ring her up to tell her about something that reminds me of her. But hopefully she knows, and is smiling with shared joy. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Cousin Jo-Ann   Rest in Peace

I have many wonderful memories of my cousin Jo-Ann.Some of my earliest and most favorite are stories she would relate to me about her early relationship with my parents before my brothers and I were even born. She would tell me about hunting and fishing with them and what a good shot my mother was!! I cherished these memories as my parents died when I was 13 and 14. She helped keep those special times a part of my life. Her name for my Mom was MOONIE.
I also loved visiting Jo-Ann in Northern California. I ate my first artichoke at her home with two different sauces. I still prepare them that way today. Jo-Ann always arranged such interesting things to do when I visited.
She was the first person I knew who recycled cans. I started doing that very early on thanks to her example.
I loved when she came to Albuquerque And brought Sabrina. I adored playing with her as a baby!

Jo-Ann was a great example to many of the cousins growing up in Albuquerque . She had a wonderful education and spoke French which was so sophisticated to all of us! I remember when Jo-Ann and. Charlie were married. They had a beautiful reception at the Alvarado Hotel. I even remember the dress I wore.

I hope Sabrina and her family find comfort with these memories and that Jo-Ann is resting in peace.

"A friend is someone
   who knows the
song in your heart
   and can sing it back
to you when you have
   forgotten the words..."  Jo-Ann was my friend...a thankful Nancy Hewitt

I just added a recent photo. I visited Jo-Ann for about an hour and a half in early May. I did not expect her to know who I was, but she did. She proudly introduced Tina and me to her nurse as her sisters. She seemed happy, healthy and pleased to see us. I never thought it would be my last visit with my big sister.