1945 - 2007

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that my mother, Joanne Helen Bolton, passed away last night. She passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. She was a fighter until the last minute. We know she’s in a better place now, surrounded by the loved ones that went before her.

I can’t even begin to eulogize my mother at this time. I’m just reminded of a poem I’ve read, that tells of a man who went to speak at a friend’s funeral. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth, and then the date of her death. But what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. That dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For in the end, all that matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

Anyone who knew Joanne will know, that her “dash” was priceless. She was sweet, kind, generous, thoughtful, and unbelievably talented. Despite her pain and repeated battles with cancer, she never complained, but took each day as a gift.

We love you mom, and miss you with all our hearts.