Tuesday, September 19, 2023
When I was 25, I went to New York to get away after a bad breakup. I stayed with my cousin Marc and got to know JoAnn. I went to their wedding and a celebratory lunch afterwards. What a wonderful memory, although my boss made me rush back to work after lunch.
After a couple of roommate situations, I moved into my very first apartment on my own. JoAnn gave me a kitten she had found abandoned in a parking lot. That kitten, Cheesecake, was my beloved cat for the rest of her life. JoAnn also gave me a dresser she wasn’t using. It was the most beautiful piece of furniture I had ever had and I use it still today and think fondly of JoAnn.
JoAnn was a force of nature and one of the smartest people I have ever known. She was a whiz at puzzles and games and had a vast knowledge about so many things. I learned a great deal from her. She also had a great sense of style and aesthetics, both in the way she dressed and in the way she created her homes. I remember being with her around Christmas and watching her transform her living room into a holiday fantasy worthy of a magazine! I believe the theme that year was beautiful plaid ribbons and bows. Another time, she decided the picture frames on her wall weren’t quite right. She took them down, stained them antique gold, put them back up and they were perfect! She didn’t just have ideas, but she put them into action. I was a great admirer!
I am grateful for my memories of JoAnn and for her kindness in helping me start out on my own. I send my thoughts and love to my beloved cousin Marc and to Jenny, Jenelle and William.
Terry Ustaszewski
