Love and peace to her memory and to all who loved her. She was a special woman.

Mom just want to pop in and wish you a happy birthday. Think about you everyday. ❤️

Happy Birthday Mom just wanted to say I love you and miss you everyday.

Happy birthday Mom! I miss you so much and everyday. ♥️

Mrs. Joan Thate was my 9th grade English teacher. She has had a profound impact on my life. The absolute greatest teacher and mentor. She introduced me to the healing powers of reading, poetry, writing and expanded my mind. She was the light & understanding I needed during a tumultuous time. Her caring went beyond the classroom. She nurtured my wounded soul and helped me find myself and my purpose. I've often hoped to bump into her one day and imagined all the things I would say, just to catch up on life, share writings and stories....All that's left for me to say is "Thank you for saving me"

My heart aches and I am sorry for your loss.

To live in hearts that love is not to die.

We of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ormond Beach love you and hold your memory in our hearts, Joan. When we can gather again in our building, we will celebrate your life and your indelible mark on our community.

In sadness at your absence and in gratitude for knowing you,
Rev. Kathy

Today a year ago my mother your sister your aunt your friend passed away below is a poem she wrote looks like in 2010 of thousands I collected. God, I miss her. Look for hope it is always out there.

"Suggestions to be left on Earth in Case our deeply flawed species accidentally Re-evolves

1. Best to not invent sin; but if you must, make it greed.
2. Be watchful for unintended consequences of what appears to be progress.
3. Awareness and reason are the highest gifts. Cultivate them. Assiduously.


4. Treat everything as it is: Holy.

Joan Thate 2010"

We are still missing Joan's lovely smile and gracious presence.

Happy Birthday Mom

I first got to know Joan when we worked together on a New Member Welcome class for our Unitarian Universalist congregation here in Ormond Beach. What a lovely and thoughtful person she was--and a tireless worker for what she believed in.

I knew her as Ms. Thate. She was my teacher for 4 years from 1995 to 1999, but was also my friend. We kept in touch after high school, but life happened and we hadn't spoken in years. Fast forward to tonight.. my fiancee was telling me about how she still had poems I had written and sent her over 20 years ago. Poems I had written in Ms. Thate's classroom (either during school or a day in which is TA'ed or Study Halled in her room - I spent a lot of my time with her). That led me into this long, sprawling rant about one of the most influential teachers I ever had and how much I missed her. How she made me feel like I could express myself with words, and without remorse. I immediately sought to reach out to her and found this..

I truly loved this woman. She helped me in ways I never got to truly express. I regret that I waited to reach out.

I just hope that everyone here can see how important she was to people outside of her family. What she meant, and still means. An amazing woman. Truly one of the best. We will miss you.

My utmost sympathy goes out to her other friends, but mainly her family. I am absolutely positive she is missed by those closest to her.

Just know she was amazing to all that knew her.

PS: I saw another student, Carlos, mentioning Enya. Lol. Enya was the soundtrack to that class and I think of her whenever it's on.

Ms. Thate,

I had the honor of being both a student and teachers aide of yours before graduating in 2001. You were one of the most influential teachers I had and will always remember your creative writing class (especially listening to Enya). Rest in peace and may your memories live on forever.

Carlos & Lauren Dias
(Flagler Palm Coast High School Class of 2001 & 2003)

Dearest Joan, how I miss you - your leadership, your intellect, your humility, your sense of humor. I loved your sense of irony and I loved making you laugh - remember "wall of meatheads"? I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with you. We worked together for three years yet there's so much of you I barely knew - your wonderful poetry, for example. I was always impressed by how well-read you were and how incisive you could be when parsing a thorny issue. All the children you taught and served were so fortunate to have you. Your congregation and I were fortunate to have you. Your son, Joey is fortunate he was born to you - such a kind and gentle soul he is. We are all fortunate to have been in your wake. Goodbye dear one. To live in hearts that love is not to die. -Rev Kathy-

I’ll remember many days Joan spent at the UU church,
conversations on the back deck with friends,
setting lovely tables for potlucks and other occasions,
   with her creative genius,
previewing materials online for Life Long Learning classes,
cooking tasty dishes to share, like her amazing chicken salad with red grapes,
cleaning closets and
climbing up and down the attic ladder to store decorations,
meetings of all kinds,
sharing her abilities in giving back to others.

My favorite picture here is the one with Joey (Joan is holding a coke can) –
their faces show the connection of deep love between their hearts.
  

Joan, I went to the beach early Sunday morning and thought of all the times we walked on the beach together--the time we found the dead loon--the time we watched a green turtle digging her nest--all the sunrises. And all the conversations--your wit and your gift for words. You are still out there somewhere, part of the tide and the wind and the huge sky. I miss you.

As a neighbor of Joey and Sharon I must say that I never met the lady but, judging by the way Joey is, I'd say he lost one fantastic mother. She raised him right and - I believe - she'll continue to improve our world through Joey and every person Joey meets. Class acts produce class acts. Prayers.

Joey, we are so deeply sorry for your loss. Our earliest memories of you and your mom are when you visited Chicago for the summers. Your mom was so lovely, witty, brilliant and creative in countless ways, warm, kind, giving. I was privileged to read a few of the things she had written and was touched through her gift and expression.
We loved the way she and your uncle bantered, the beauty she created in gardening with your aunt or redecorating. Our family warmly remembers our Christmas Eve gatherings.
She was a woman of beauty that had so much to give and offer to others.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Peace to her memory and love to you.
Eva, John, Andrew, and Bea

Your mom sounds like a pretty special woman. I'm sorry for your loss.

I met your mother through Ann, my step-mom. It was years ago when I came to Florida to visit. Ann and Joan were out by the pool, sipping wine and talking. I sat down and was immediately taken with how beautiful and gracious your mother was. I was in awe of this woman sipping wine in the early afternoon, in her swim suit, with perfect red lipstick on! In the years following I had many opportunities to get to know your mother better and what really stuck out was....she was as beautiful inside as she was outside.
I am sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I look forward to meeting you in Florida to honor your mom.