Sadly, I must report to you that Joanie McGowan, a dear member of the JPR family, died on Thursday, January 6th.

Joanie was a rare person, passionate, empathic, visionary, ambitious, creative – all blended together at superhero levels.  To everyone and everything she touched, she brought boundless love, humor and passionate striving for a better world – all offered in an unforgettable manner that was uniquely her own.    She came to JPR because she deeply believed that this organization and its staff could assist in her vision of creating a better society.  She has been a comrade and friend to us all in the course of her work here.  Living as bright a life as she did, she was - like the candle burning at both ends – apparently consumed by her effort to grow and build a better world.   She has left a legacy of friends, work and inspiration among thousands that her life touched.  And she has left a void in the JPR family that can never be filled.

The Medford Mail Tribune ran a piece related to Joanie's death which is linked here:  http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2005/0113/local/stories/08local.htm

Ronald Kramer

JPR Executive Director