Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Guest book for Joani?

[Alice Alexander (alicecohous]

Marty, what a thoughtful suggestion - a guest book!
I have been collecting "Joani stories" since her announcement of her
terminal illness, and now have posted as a blog - which can grow, so please
others, share with us.

Joani Blank, Cohousing Pioneer - Stories of her Impact and Influence
<http://www.cohousing.org/node/4223>

Earlier, I created a blog from Neil's coho-l post.

Joani Blank, Cohousing Pioneer, Passed August 6, 2016
<http://www.cohousing.org/node/4222>

Alice Alexander, Coho/US Executive Director

On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 9:59 AM, <mmaskall [at] pacbell.net> wrote:

>
> Hi Neil & all,
>
> I remember Joani well, since 2005, when I went on my first cohousing tour,
> which she ably led.  And I remember the 2006 Conference in Chapel Hill,
> which she chaired.  And many shared conversations since then.
>
> Will there be a guestbook for Joani?  I think it would be appropriate to
> have a link on the Cohousing.org website.
>
> She was a Giant in the Cohousing movement.  Dear Joani, rest in peace.
>
> With love to all,
> Marty Maskall
> ------------------
> Future Resident & Project Manager
> www.FairOaksEcoHousing.org -- a Family-Friendly Green Neighborhood
> (916) 967-2472
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2016 14:41:37 -0700
> From: Neil Planchon <neil [at] swansway.com>
> To: coho-l <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
> Subject: [C-L]_ Joani (Blank) update - Sad news
>
> Hello everyone in Cohousing-l land?
>
> I am attaching two recent messages about Joani - my longtime personal
> friend, neighbor and Cohousing ambassadress. One of mine and the other
> Amika?s (Joani?s daughter) are below?.
> =-=-=-
>
> Hello neighbors
>
> I am saddened as I share with you that Joani passed away Saturday (8/6)
> around 5:30PM.  She had loving family by her side who shepherded her
> through
> the last stage of this life.
>
> Rest in peace, Joani (my sweet)
>
> Neil
> (Swan's Market Cohousing - http://www.swansway.com
> <http://www.swansway.com/>)
>
> -=-=-
>
>
> And here is the message which Amika posted on Facebook on August 7th?
>
> "My mama passed yesterday, at home, Blossom and me and Bapu by her
> side...My
> family was blessed to have spent this sacred time with this lovely woman
> who
> raised me as her own.
>
> "She was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in June, took the news like a
> champ and did like she always does...got down to business and handled
> logistics and preparations. She chose to have a Celebration of Life rather
> than a funeral, and at celebration last week, she was able to say her
> goodbyes and feel the love of her community.
> "She opened her celebration addressing police brutality and honoring the
> Black Lives Matter movement. Her life was based on advancing social justice
> issues, and the bigger picture always took precedence over her personal
> struggles. The celebration was another platform for her to acknowledge what
> was really important to her. She had a rapid decline after the celebration,
> and I think she felt she had completed what she needed to.
>
> "This fierce revolutionary woman has taught us all so much. She has done so
> many things in her full days here on earth and I know you all have
> stories...share them if you feel like it. If I made this post about all
> she's done it would take days.
>
> "Instead, we are honoring the graceful way she passed. She relaxed into the
> process and let go of trying to control anything...she was able to receive
> love and care, and transformed into this gentle and vulnerable Queen. She
> spoke with each one of my kids and my Papa in the last days of her
> consciousness. She passed me the "boss torch", and gave her blessings to my
> incarcerated other half as he led us in family prayer on the phone. We laid
> with her and watched her take her last breath. She had a sweet smile on her
> face and was comfortable. Milo joined us and we covered her body in henna
> tattoos, flowers from the garden, frankincense and lavender oils, and
> filled
> her space with candlelight, sage, copal, and Palos Santos. Bapu stayed
> curled up with her in bed...we played music and looked at pictures and
> laughed and cried. It was exactly what she wanted, and it was beautiful to
> hold space for her at the gates??
>
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>
>


-- 
Alice Alexander
Executive Director
http://www.cohousing.org
[image: The Cohousing Association]