February 3
February 3
I think of you often and find the world without you a lesser place. Ali
Joanne was born on July 30, 1949 in London, United Kingdom. The family moved to Indianapolis 1951 and she graduated from Shortridge High School in 1967. She moved to England to attend college, then became part of the Eel Pie Island Commune, the UK's largest hippie commune.
In 1981, she moved back to Indianapolis to be closer to her family. She worked for a time at the Public Access Radio Station WIAN. Joanne studied to become a Court Stenographer and worked in the field for 10 years. While raising her three children, she delighted in gathering friends and family from different cultures together for holidays and other special occasions. She would often visit Circle Pines Camp in Michigan to relive happy childhood memories.
In 1996 she relocated to the United Kingdom. She used her stenographer’s skills to work at the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) as a Live News Transcriptionist in Cardiff, Wales. She loved walking in the lovely Welsh countryside. She lived at times in California, a farm in Northumberland, UK then back to London where she worked for a time at Arista records.
She moved back to Indianapolis in 2012 to assist a daughter recovering from a nearly fatal car accident. She retired to Sarasota, FL in 2014 where she became affiliated with the Kadampa Buddhist Center.
Joanne is survived by her children Sara Red Rose Walton, Emily Crystal Walton, and Nicholas John Banks; sisters Leora Berns (David Schonfeld) and Beth Morrison (Scott Morrison), grandsons Angelo Torres, Ethan Banks and Alexander Taylor; nephews Benjamin Zarit, Elliot Morrison and Alec Morrison, and niece Ruth Morrison; and two loving cousins Harriet Wistrich & Daniel Ahaviel Wistreich, and by her partner Clyde Knight.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry & Jacqueline (Heiber) Berns, by her previous partner David Walton, and by her former husband, John Russell Banks.
Her many friends and family will miss her sparkling, warm, loving, funny and strong character. It is hard to believe she is gone and feels like such a big loss.
In 1981, she moved back to Indianapolis to be closer to her family. She worked for a time at the Public Access Radio Station WIAN. Joanne studied to become a Court Stenographer and worked in the field for 10 years. While raising her three children, she delighted in gathering friends and family from different cultures together for holidays and other special occasions. She would often visit Circle Pines Camp in Michigan to relive happy childhood memories.
In 1996 she relocated to the United Kingdom. She used her stenographer’s skills to work at the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) as a Live News Transcriptionist in Cardiff, Wales. She loved walking in the lovely Welsh countryside. She lived at times in California, a farm in Northumberland, UK then back to London where she worked for a time at Arista records.
She moved back to Indianapolis in 2012 to assist a daughter recovering from a nearly fatal car accident. She retired to Sarasota, FL in 2014 where she became affiliated with the Kadampa Buddhist Center.
Joanne is survived by her children Sara Red Rose Walton, Emily Crystal Walton, and Nicholas John Banks; sisters Leora Berns (David Schonfeld) and Beth Morrison (Scott Morrison), grandsons Angelo Torres, Ethan Banks and Alexander Taylor; nephews Benjamin Zarit, Elliot Morrison and Alec Morrison, and niece Ruth Morrison; and two loving cousins Harriet Wistrich & Daniel Ahaviel Wistreich, and by her partner Clyde Knight.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry & Jacqueline (Heiber) Berns, by her previous partner David Walton, and by her former husband, John Russell Banks.
Her many friends and family will miss her sparkling, warm, loving, funny and strong character. It is hard to believe she is gone and feels like such a big loss.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
February 3
February 3
Can't believe it is three years - missing you Joanne x
February 3, 2022
February 3, 2022
Dearest godmother, I think of you often. The memories I have and the relationship I shared with you bring me immense joy and comfort. You were and are one in a million and I miss you dearly. ❤️
February 3, 2022
February 3, 2022
One year already momma. I hope you're well wherever you are. We miss you so much. Please look out and protect us from above. Until we see you again. You are loved. You are one of a kind. You are my mom.xoxox
July 30, 2021
July 30, 2021
Happiest Birthday JSB! Hopefully Joanne has a shell in her pocket, sand between her toes, a big flute of champagne in one hand and a joint in the other! Celebrating!
June 8, 2021
June 8, 2021
Joanne. I miss you very much. Our meetings contained so much unspoken (and spoken) understanding. You inspired me in many ways with your carefree spirit, and your lifestyle choices opened my mind in many ways. I’m so happy that we met up in London and in Florida before your operation. Something told me that the long drive in Florida to meet you might be the last time. I cherish all my memories of you and now you are freer than ever.
Lots of Love from Cousin Daniel
Lots of Love from Cousin Daniel
June 7, 2021
June 7, 2021
I miss you so much mom. I miss our almost daily phone calls. Thank you for giving me a unique pespective on life. Your gift was also your curse. You had a depth that went unmatched and I yearn for that deep connection you gave me. It's so hard to find. You were always just out of touch, but your voice was always close and available. You were fabulous! Free spirited and one of a kind. I cherish you. One day I hope to rejoin you. Love you always and forever, your daughter, Emily
March 13, 2021
March 13, 2021
This is the tribute I read at Joanne’s online memorial event on 7 March 2021:
Joanne lived close to half her life in the UK and I think was always torn between the two continents. My family were her London family and she used to visit and stay a lot. As a child growing up in the sixties and seventies, to me Joanne was an exciting, glamorous role model: a rebel, a hippie a beautiful wild person with equally colourful friends. She was also warm, generous, opinionated but non judgmental,; great company and a strong memorable personality.
Last year my mum Enid, Joanne’s aunt died. When it looked like Enid, didn’t have long, Joanne was desperate to come over to see her, but in typical style realised that her passport had expired. At mum’s funeral she sent a lovely tribute and I would like to read from it - it is her voice and it had several of us in stitches at the funeral:
“In 1969, I lived on Eel Pie Island which was an island on the Thames in Twickenham. A group of us began living in the, once famous, now derelict, Eel Pie Island Hotel. During the first few months of our tenancy, (we, actually, paid rent to the owner) we attracted a lot of attention, due to our hippy appearance. Inevitably, we were busted by the police one dawn, who believed the place was awash with drugs. They found nothing illegal, and possibly out of frustration, took one married couple's tiny children, saying the hotel was unfit for them.
“I rang Enid and Ernest to tell them what happened. Immediately, Enid went to the police to make a complaint about the children's removal. As a London Councillor, she carried some weight. That complaint led to the return of the children, and Enid went on to make a complaint at Scotland Yard about the police's unjustifiable behaviour. She encouraged me in a non-forceful way, to lodge a complaint also, because I had been stripped searched by a male policeman with several other policemen in my room. As a result, the police were formally reprimanded, and some officers were demoted. Now you know where Harriet gets it!”
Sometimes when people close to you die, the memory of them begins to slip away, but Joanne is still so vivid and alive in my memory, it is hard to believe she is gone.
Joanne lived close to half her life in the UK and I think was always torn between the two continents. My family were her London family and she used to visit and stay a lot. As a child growing up in the sixties and seventies, to me Joanne was an exciting, glamorous role model: a rebel, a hippie a beautiful wild person with equally colourful friends. She was also warm, generous, opinionated but non judgmental,; great company and a strong memorable personality.
Last year my mum Enid, Joanne’s aunt died. When it looked like Enid, didn’t have long, Joanne was desperate to come over to see her, but in typical style realised that her passport had expired. At mum’s funeral she sent a lovely tribute and I would like to read from it - it is her voice and it had several of us in stitches at the funeral:
“In 1969, I lived on Eel Pie Island which was an island on the Thames in Twickenham. A group of us began living in the, once famous, now derelict, Eel Pie Island Hotel. During the first few months of our tenancy, (we, actually, paid rent to the owner) we attracted a lot of attention, due to our hippy appearance. Inevitably, we were busted by the police one dawn, who believed the place was awash with drugs. They found nothing illegal, and possibly out of frustration, took one married couple's tiny children, saying the hotel was unfit for them.
“I rang Enid and Ernest to tell them what happened. Immediately, Enid went to the police to make a complaint about the children's removal. As a London Councillor, she carried some weight. That complaint led to the return of the children, and Enid went on to make a complaint at Scotland Yard about the police's unjustifiable behaviour. She encouraged me in a non-forceful way, to lodge a complaint also, because I had been stripped searched by a male policeman with several other policemen in my room. As a result, the police were formally reprimanded, and some officers were demoted. Now you know where Harriet gets it!”
Sometimes when people close to you die, the memory of them begins to slip away, but Joanne is still so vivid and alive in my memory, it is hard to believe she is gone.
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
I remember my fellow Leo with hair like fire, free spirit from the beginning. She always had time to talk and share. As best friend to her little sister, we spent summers at Circle Pines together and I visited the family in Indianapolis and they visited us in Chicago. When I went to London, by myself, the summer I turned 17, I stayed with the Wistriches (kind souls!) for the first week of my two month adventure and Joanne came to take me on a tour of her life, living rough and fantastic. I helped her delouse her hair and she introduced me to a friend who made suede clothes and I got a beautiful pair of suede handmade trousers which made me feel like a free spirit too. The last time I saw her was on a visit to Sarasota with Beth and we got right down to business talking about what had happened in our lives with interest and love. She lived a Grand life and I think she had many joyful experiences as she lived it. I want to remember her that way.
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
I met Joanne in 1st grade at School 86 and we became best friends right away. She was so much fun, happy and silly. I have wonderful memories of our Camp Fire Girl outings and our sleep overs at each other's houses. I am glad we remained friends over the years and I got to see her smiling face and spend a little time together in London in 2019. Little did I know it was the last time. I am grateful for the memories we had and will miss her dearly!
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
I remember Joanne as being fun and carefree. I knew her in my childhood mostly and remember appreciating that she took me seriously when I spoke. She listened to me in a way that was rare and I kept it with me always. She remains a beautiful and bright light. Always loved and always loving.
February 20, 2021
February 20, 2021
I travelled to Florida for a dear friend, my guru really – to provide support before a life altering surgery. I pulled in her driveway and saw her front patio all lit up for Christmas; She later told me she thought of taking it down but wanted me to see it first. It was charming, and glistening; A perfect reflection of her. An eccentric and festive representation of who I always knew her to be.
I could not get out of the car fast enough. I didn’t unload my bags, I didn’t grab any supplies, I just almost jogged to the house. There she was with her crazy blonde, yet put together hair, and a smile I had not seen in months. We couldn’t hug because of covid and her fragile state, but I felt her love and happiness to see me and those are the best embraces.
Joanne was someone I met through work nearly 10 years ago. Immediately I knew we would be friends. And immediately we were just that. She showed me there are some people you can just see in an instant and know they will be important to your life. She showed me interesting restaurants in the city, cool graffiti in the most obvious yet unseen places, and tried to explain the ease of being vegan. She came solely to meet Stan when we got him home. She attended our wedding two hours away and was one of the last people to leave the reception. She visited our house shortly after we closed. For the important moments you could always count on seeing her there.
We had so many long conversations that week about life, love, God, morality, ego and how we are all truly just spirits and truly so very small in the scale of the universe. I asked for her advice and approval on so many subjects and she spoke in a way that protected me yet scolded me and said it would never be her place to judge me. She was always the perfect friend – always knowing the perfect thing to say – and having knowledge and experience to back it up. She was my dear friend. She knew my heart as she always had, and shared experiences of her youth that would rival most. I still am so enamored and intrigued by her. She was whimsical and free, as if she had never left the 60s - full of interesting stories and points of view. So easy to give her advice in a way that would change your way of thinking and in turn, change your behavior. She was my mentor – my guru.
I love you Joanne. Thanks for “shrinking” my head and reminding me always of my worth. Thank you for showing me a love of 1940s movies and the many cups of tea and conversation. It will follow me through the rest of my life. Thank you, friend.
February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
Joanne was one of a kind. I revel in the happy memories we made together -- walking, laughing, enjoying life. She was such a gift in my life. The first time I met her she was rushing (typical), falling up the stairs at our court reporting school. I knew immediately I wanted to be her friend. She had so many qualities I wish I had -- her free spirit, her independence, her fierceness. She paid a high price for those qualities. I hope she knew how loved and appreciated she was. It's hard to lose a friend, but her memory lives on and she will be in my heart forever. I salute you, My Friend!
February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
Joanne was a fiery presence. Meeting her dark brown eyes invited a range of emotions : fear and joy being among them. To laugh with her was a joy, few could be as much sheer fun. Yet to be the butt of her displeasure was fearful. She had both a fragile insecurity yet a determination that was just plain gutsy. She was bold. She eschewed traditional ways. She made some choices that lead to tough realities for her and at times for those close to her. I'm learning now how much I will always miss her being on this planet with me.
February 18, 2021
February 18, 2021
I miss Joanne.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
February 3
February 3
I think of you often and find the world without you a lesser place. Ali
February 3
February 3
Can't believe it is three years - missing you Joanne x
February 3, 2022
February 3, 2022
Dearest godmother, I think of you often. The memories I have and the relationship I shared with you bring me immense joy and comfort. You were and are one in a million and I miss you dearly. ❤️
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This is an almost complete video of the tribute that was held on March 7, 2021.
Joanne and I at a Halloween party in London on October 31,2007.
Joanne and myself and a friend named Donna in Minneapolis in 1965. We all saw Beatles that evening.
Joanne in my back yard in Indianapolis around 1985.
Leigh on Sea 2019 ♥️
Christmas party in Well walk Hampstead early 70’s
Recent stories
About Joanne spoken on 7th February 2021 by Ali (Campbell) Weeks
March 8, 2021
by alison weeks
Joanne and I ‘met’ virtually when we were about 13, 1963,
as pen-pals; Enid and my mother arranged it not knowing they were setting up a
lifelong friendship. After several years of teenage sharing, Joanne came to
London in 1967 to do a course at Froebel Institute in Roehampton, not a great
success as far as I know. When missing home she would bring chaos to my
families’ tiny kitchen making chocolate chip cookies, unheard of then in the
UK. The great success was the life we had out and about in London at that time.
Most weekends she would appear and off we would go to sample the delights of
that unforgettable world of adventure, music, parties, ‘happenings’, which were
kind of art/drama/music events, and shopping for clothes in the markets like
Portobello Road. Most of our adventures are best not repeated but we saw bands
such as The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds at open air concerts and the
Roundhouse. We were soulmates. Then Eel Pie Island and our ways divided.
Over the next 50 years we stayed in touch and often met when she visited. There were some bizarre requests for things she couldn’t get in the USA: toothpaste, ear plugs and Ovaltine. I started sending 6 packs such was her need for Ovaltine. The last time I spoke to her the day before her operation, she reminded me she had just finished the last jar!
In 2017 after her first serious illness, I visited her at her beautiful home that she shared with Clyde. The idea was to stay for a couple of weeks to help her convalesce, and get her walking again. In typical Joanne fashion she made it a proper holiday, she had a unique way of living well, which could get her into trouble at times. An extract from my diary ‘Sat on the porch and had breakfast with Joanne in the sun. Then later out to Longboat Key searching for the public beach access amongst all the millionaires’ properties (she has a map with house numbers indicating the tiny car parks for the public). Found a beautiful beach almost deserted, white combed sand, azure sea with pelicans diving. Lay there for a while then walked along, more sitting and chatting, then on to Santa Maria for late lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking the sea. Ate crab cakes and grits, coleslaw and fried green tomatoes, and there were margaritas. Sunset when we came back.’ Each day the pattern was repeated, going to different beaches; sometimes she walked a lot, sometimes less. Often, we would finish off with shopping in what are called consignment stores (for clothes of course). It was an unforgettable and perfect time.
She was a master at keeping in touch with her friends, many who were separated by the world and her demanding life. She was very loved. Her adored children were far away from her, so she had to learn to keep close from afar. Her last world tour was in 2019, when again she managed to see many of us in the UK. Recent words to me were ‘We don’t get long’, referring to our age! She certainly packed in as much as she could into her time! She will be sadly missed.
Over the next 50 years we stayed in touch and often met when she visited. There were some bizarre requests for things she couldn’t get in the USA: toothpaste, ear plugs and Ovaltine. I started sending 6 packs such was her need for Ovaltine. The last time I spoke to her the day before her operation, she reminded me she had just finished the last jar!
In 2017 after her first serious illness, I visited her at her beautiful home that she shared with Clyde. The idea was to stay for a couple of weeks to help her convalesce, and get her walking again. In typical Joanne fashion she made it a proper holiday, she had a unique way of living well, which could get her into trouble at times. An extract from my diary ‘Sat on the porch and had breakfast with Joanne in the sun. Then later out to Longboat Key searching for the public beach access amongst all the millionaires’ properties (she has a map with house numbers indicating the tiny car parks for the public). Found a beautiful beach almost deserted, white combed sand, azure sea with pelicans diving. Lay there for a while then walked along, more sitting and chatting, then on to Santa Maria for late lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking the sea. Ate crab cakes and grits, coleslaw and fried green tomatoes, and there were margaritas. Sunset when we came back.’ Each day the pattern was repeated, going to different beaches; sometimes she walked a lot, sometimes less. Often, we would finish off with shopping in what are called consignment stores (for clothes of course). It was an unforgettable and perfect time.
She was a master at keeping in touch with her friends, many who were separated by the world and her demanding life. She was very loved. Her adored children were far away from her, so she had to learn to keep close from afar. Her last world tour was in 2019, when again she managed to see many of us in the UK. Recent words to me were ‘We don’t get long’, referring to our age! She certainly packed in as much as she could into her time! She will be sadly missed.