Joan Lorraine Justice-Brown, (1954 - 2012) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Let the memory of Joan be with us forever

57 years old
Born on October 25, 1954
Passed away on October 23, 2012

This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Joan Justice-Brown, 57, born on October 25, 1954 and passed away on October 23, 2012. We will remember her forever.

What is Success?

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know that even one life has breathed better because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tributes

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October 23, 2023

Joan,
I continue to carry the lessons you instilled in me as I work with my students. Your voice still rings loud in my ears and your compassion is carried in my heart. I miss you and I know so many others do to. Sending love to you in heaven.
Always,
Broni

October 23, 2022

Your voice of advocacy for special needs students is still is heard through all of us who were impacted by your work. Boy do we need more Joan's in the world. I miss you.

October 25, 2021

Happy heavenly birthday little sister. Holding you tightly forever in our hearts until we can see you once again. It’s never been the same…

October 23, 2021

Another year without you. I am so proud to call myself a special educator because I keep your words, your philosophy, and your spirit with me. I miss you.

October 25, 2020

I can’t believe that you’re not with us anymore. You left such an indelible mark on us all!
Happy birthday Joan! We miss you and think of you constantly. Love Diana

October 23, 2020

Yet another year of life without you here on earth and life has never been the same. You would be so proud of the girls and all they’ve accomplished since you left. You taught them well, little sister. I see you in them in the way they follow their hearts, in the way they treat others and in the way they have so much love to offer. Our hearts soared last September when we first learned your first grandchild’s name (she just turned one). Suddenly, I had hope once again after too many years without you. And now our precious mother has joined you and daddy and now I think you’re the lucky one. Please take good care of her as I miss her so. I look forward to the day when I can join you three. Until then, I carry you always in my heart.

October 23, 2020

Forever Missed. Joan, I keep you present in my life. You will forever be in my heart and be the voice inside my head that propels me to "do what Joan would do." You have a granddaughter who bears your name, I can't imagine how much you smile down upon her. I remember you. I remember where I was when I first felt that something was wrong when you weren't at the PBIS training, I remember writing you an email telling you that I missed you at the training, and I remember when my dear sister-in-law called me with the news of your passing. I remember you.

October 23, 2019

Dearest Joanie, has it really been 7 years? I think of you often, and miss your smile. Are you up there playing with Kris? Tell her Hi for me. Your joyous spirit lives on. Much love.

October 23, 2019

Joan, here it is, year seven since we lost you. How can that be? No person outside of my immediate family had had such a profound impact on how I feel, how I lead my life, and how I approach my students. You are the voice in my head that drives me to never leave a student behind and to find the function of the behavior. It is my dream to make a difference— to leave an indelible mark as you have for so many. I am truly blessed to have known you. Love to your family, but especially for your beautiful girls who carry your spark. There is a new baby that carries your name and there is no doubt that along with that name there will be a exquisite smile and a old soul. I love and miss you Joan.

October 23, 2018

It was six years ago today that I was sitting in a PBS training wondering where you were. It just did not seem right that you were not there. Later that afternoon when I returned to my office I wrote a quick email below are the contents:
Joan,

We missed you today. We all thought you would be leading the PBS training. We missed your smile, leadership, and pro-student philosophy. Don’t get me wrong, they did a great job with the training, it is just not the same without you. You are my positive behavior guide. Hope to see you soon.

Broni
I sent the email at 4:12 that day. At 4:30 my sister in law, Lisa, called me with the devastating news of your passing. You were and continue to be a beacon for so many. I keep a purple ribbon attached to my computer screen and a purple ribbon in my vehicle. You left an indelible mark in my heart and in my life. You are greatly missed. All my love to your beloved family.

October 25, 2017

You live on in so many hearts and minds. Great life!
A model for us all. Love you infinity! Diana

October 24, 2017

I miss you and your smile. Forever in my heart.

Broni

October 23, 2017

Tonight I look at the heavens and say..what are you doing tonight, Joanay???

October 25, 2016

Just last month I was out at the John Pond with family, grandkids and all. We were fortunate to have McKenzie join us. As we sat around the campfire talking and laughing and being silly, I thought to myself that Joan would love being here. And as I watched and listened I saw Joan in Mckenzie as she joked around with the little ones and as she talked to my daughter. And I felt that Joan was there with us. And it felt very very good. It was almost like she was right there sitting in a chair with her smiling laughing face.

October 23, 2016

My dearest Joan,
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the news of your passing. I will never forget the moment I heard the news. I keep you with me everyday. I have a purple ribbon tied around the steering wheel of my vehicle and I have a purple ribbon attached to my computer screen at work. I think of your smile and I can hear your voice. You have blessed my life in so many ways. Even with the vacancy your loss has left, you fill my life with wisdom, compassion, and constancy. You have left a legacy that will continue on with those whose lives you have touched. All my love to your beloved children and your family. I miss you Joan.

October 23, 2016

Dear Joan you are gone but certainly never never forgotten. Why was it that so many people said they were your best friend at your Memorial? I think it's because you made everyone feel so special. That would include me. Your joyfulness And wisdom were a gift to all of us.
I especially loved your whimsy. You took such great joy in finding silly little things to give to other people to bring light to their lives. What a wonderful life you had! with much love to you and to all those you left behind. Diana

October 23, 2015

Yay for Joanay ! from Susay and here's to all the French that is not in in the two of us, and to ice cube fights in the alps, and to all the very good times and laughs and singing and good conversation and prayer and the 3 lively, lovely girls she and Richard brought into this world. And praise God this goodness will continue on when I see her in heaven.

October 23, 2015

Joan,
I miss you and your smile. The impact you made on all who knew you will endure. You blessed my life and your memory continues to bless and enrich me.

October 23, 2015

I will forever talk about you Joanie and keep you and your works alive.

October 25, 2013

Joan was the epitome of positive energy, optimism, and passion. Along with her great humor, I always looked forward to spending time with her at our PENT planning meetings. She is sorely missed.

October 25, 2013

I look at the "candle lit" and can not help but think about the light that was taken from the world when Joanie died. She was the real thing.
To commemorate this week I am reading a book about an autistic boy, autism having been on of Joan's passions. I have realized that by reading about something that was her passion, she has blessed me again. Wonderful book.

October 24, 2013

I will always miss Joan and will always be blessed to have known her.
In some respect, time softens, while it also
magnifies. For me it does both...
I miss you Joan.

October 23, 2013

On the train thinking about our time in San Francisco and walking up to Coit Tower. It's rare to find a friend like you to be "real" with. I miss you buddy and will try to have a beer with two olives today. Love Q

October 23, 2013

Driving to school this morning and every morning for the last year, from Stockton to Escalon, I often think about you Joan-a remarkable lady that I had met at Farmington when my son was a brand new infant. Our private conversations about the joy of parenthood....He's riding with me to Dent now and on that daily drive I say silent prayers for your girls, sweet lady.

October 23, 2013

Joan,
I can't believe it has been a year. You have touched so many lives. You have profoundly impacted mine. You were a blessing to all those who had the privilege of knowing you. Your beautiful daughters are a testament to your life and they carry on your commitment to helping others. My thoughts and prayers to Richard and the girls.

October 23, 2013

Just thinking of you and your girls. I'll never forget the joy and love that was on your face when we last spoke. You have inspired so many and I am honored you were part of my life.

October 23, 2013

I miss you dear dear dear friend. I think of you so often and wore the necklace you gave me a year before you died today.
You live on in our hearts......your life mattered to so many....
love
Diana

April 17, 2013

I just found out today about Joan's passing. I met Joan four years ago when I attended her training for Behavioral Intervention Case Manager. My mother passed away during the course of this training and Joan was so compassionate with me. She even called to make sure I was ok. We had an instant bond. I saw her again in 2011 when I became certified under her guidance. I will never forget her

March 18, 2013

I just found out about Joan today through contacts at my school in Concord. I knew and interacted with Joan professionally, but always felt she was a friend because of her warm, positive personality. I never made a phone call to Joan, nor saw her on the school site that she was not happy, kind, and exhibiting an enthusiasm for life that was contagious. You are missed, Joan.

December 21, 2012

I have not posted anything until today. I was so affected by Joan's untimely passing...I had only known her a couple of years through PENT. At our last two day planning, I was priveleged to sit with Joan at dinner where she invited me to "cuddle." Joan, I wish I had been given more time to get to know you better. My thoughts are with her family this Holiday...

December 15, 2012

Joan was really kind, gave me a smile and talked to me a lot, though I couldn’t speak English well.

November 27, 2012

I was lucky enough to have been a part of her PENT team :) She always had the best smile! I will miss her.

November 23, 2012

Joan, it's been one month... I miss you so much! Love you for ever.

November 23, 2012

I have known Joan for over 20 years. I met her first by substituting in her special day class, and then we knew her the last 15 years as parents with a special needs child. She was there for us when we went through the hard process of getting a diagnosis, and in the years since, working with our son as an SLP and program director. She will be missed, and we're glad to have known her.

November 16, 2012

Joan and her family are so dear to my heart. Joan was such a great support for me as brand new teacher 16 years ago. She taught me so much about Special Education and taught me to celebrate the positives. I will never forget when she brought me dinner for my son and I after I had been sick for a few weeks. It was so thoughtful and so Joan. She will surely be missed but never forgotten.

November 12, 2012

Joan is so loved by so many, including me. Her warmth, intellect, charm and graciousness were infectious. In 25+ years that I knew and worked with her, I never heard an unkind word from her or about her. Though we are all grieving, I feel so blessed to have known her. She is still smiling, loving, laughing, teaching...no doubt about it.

November 10, 2012

I met Joan at Lakewood School while she was a paraprofessional in a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing classroom. Joan enriched and enhanced each day with her friendliness, her compassion, and her love of children. She brightened the days and lives of those around her. She will be missed. She was a gift to all! Her spirit will continue to shine!

November 2, 2012

"You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire"
from "Biko" by Peter Gabriel.

Joan you are a fire whose flame will never go out. You are the fire that burns in me that guides me to be the person I should be. You blessed my life. I miss you.

October 30, 2012

Joan's spirit and generosity have been well described in the comments of others here. She was also one of the best collaborators I have known and a very highly skilled educator. I learned from her every time I was with her. I feel lucky to have known Joan.

October 30, 2012

I can picture Joan sitting on my mom's couch in the morning wearing Goofy PJs and a big smile. She radiated warmth, kindness, and acceptance. I only spent a few evenings with her, but I feel like I knew her because of her incredible compassion and love for my family. We were really looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with Joan this year. I feel very grateful to have met her.

October 29, 2012

Joan was a very special lady. She will be missed by all. I will always remember her reading the poem at my moms 74th birthday. I'm thankful to have had her as a friend. You girls are very special too. My love and prayers will be with you now and always.

October 29, 2012

Yes to know her was to love her. I spent my 4th through 12th summers with her. Everyday, all day. Of all my best, fondest, funnest, memories of summer, she is in every one. We had such fun....... What a gift she was, I am so glad we got to get together again this last April. I only wish there were more. Selfish of me. Fly with the angels now Joanie xoxo

October 29, 2012

This is just impossible. I am not ready to remember her as she is still living in my heart. My dear Friend, my dear Cousin. she helped me with my Son in a very dark time. Inconvenienced herself to help our Family, a true Angel, and look Joanie, how beautifully he turned out! So much due to you. Remember walking throughnSan Francisco? Our "sleepovers"? I will not let you go in my heart.

October 29, 2012

Joan just "got it." She got life. She got family. She got friends. She got kids....she just understood all of this. I will never "miss her" because she is so much a part of me. I look at her girls and know that Joan lives on in not just my heart and memories, but in the legacy she has left with her girls. I know that they will "get it," too. In Joan's honor.

October 28, 2012

At our last PENT leadership meeting Joan kicked off her shoes to be 'more comfortable', when we all started to laugh at her 'casual attire' she crawled under her desk to collect her shoes, laughing the entire time....I didn't know Joan long, but she always made my heart laugh!

October 28, 2012

I have spent many hours since I heard about this tragic news asking the question why? I finally came to the conclusion that the only possible reason is that The Lord needed help with the children in Heaven. Joan would be the perfect angel for this purpose. She was a beautiful person with a heart and soul to match. She helped my family through some very trying times as we fight for our sons best

October 28, 2012

Words cannot express how much Joan has meant to our family these past 30+ years. She loved every one of us as we love every one of them. Our times together with "The Wild Bunch" were always fun and crazy, She lived life as it should be lived, with excitement, laughter and most of all love. Our memories of her will be a part of our lives always.

October 27, 2012

To know Joanie was truly to love her.

October 27, 2012

When I first met JJ Brown she had STRAIGHT hair; she was so cool, polished, and professional. And then, I went on a trip to Europe with her and Richard and a group from Escalon, and I found out she was crazy,.. random,.. Oh so fun! and her hair was CURLY! just like me ! A friendship began that has stretched through time, miles, children, prayers, fun times and much laughter.

October 27, 2012

To know my sister was to realize how funny/creative she was. Since we don't live near each other, we called when we could. Within this past
year she called and within that conversation she said "...just call 1-800-ILOVEMYSISTER", and I did. Our direct line has now been disconnected, and only the memories remain. As the shattered glass that remains at the site, so is my heart :(

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Recent Tributes

October 23, 2023

October 23, 2022

Your voice of advocacy for special needs students is still is heard through all of us who were impacted by your work. Boy do we need more Joan's in the world. I miss you.

October 25, 2021

Happy heavenly birthday little sister. Holding you tightly forever in our hearts until we can see you once again. It’s never been the same…

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Your first grandchild Joanie Marie born September 26, 2019

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Your Namesake

October 23, 2019

Remembering you especially again today with a heavy heart of seven years ago, sweet sister. You are still so alive in my heart and I carry you everywhere I go. I just wanted you to know you are the proud grandmother to your first grandchild, a girl, your namesake - Joanie. Joanie Marie frowns just like you did when you slept. I keep wondering if you got to meet her in heaven before she wss born because in a photo taken the day she left the hospital she was making a sign language sign with her little fingers that humorously you would have taught her. Oh I miss your sense of humor. Your beautiful daughters though still have it.

My cousin

October 23, 2017

Joanie came and stayed with us while helping our son Tyler survive school. Without her I don't believe he would have survived it.
She championed his cause with her vast knowledge of programs and protocol we had no idea existed.
She did this for the same reason she did everything. Because it was right and fair.
The fact that she loved us was icing on the cake.
She was kind by choice not by default or weakness and beyond generous to everyone. A love comet.
Sorry, if you knew her you already knew that.
We all miss her.

Going back to the US

October 23, 2016

I just returned from a trip to New York with my Family yesterday.

This was my first trip back to the US, since the wonderful trip I had with Joan in Easter 2010. Even though my daughter was getting ill at that time, I just had this feeling that I HAD TO visit Joan and her family at that time. I am so glad that I followed my intuition, because I will always treasure all the great memories of that trip - and the last time I got to spend time with Joan. Going to the US will never be the same without the possibility to see her.

Joan, I love you and miss you!! You were so very special to me !!
I look at a photo of your lovely smile every day and will always remember you and your big heart this way.

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