Goodbye

My friend Jo Anne was 77 years old when she died on Thursday. She was a tough, outspoken, ever-busy perfectionist who loved life, traveling, and Shi Tzus. It seemed, however, that life was against her in the last month or so. In December, she had a biopsy on her left leg that came back as melanoma and her opthamologist told her she needed cataract surgery. On Christmas Day, on her way back from enjoying a wonderful holiday celebration with her cousin, she was involved in a car accident that totaled her Toyota. Ten days later she suffered a stroke while dining with a friend. Twelve days after the stroke, she died in a rehab center. She took a nap and never woke up.

I will miss her greatly. She could be persnickety but she was also funny, loving and generous. She leaves behind her two beloved Shi Tzus, Sweetie and Stormy, and all of us who loved and cared for her.