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I met Joanna in 1990. From that time until her recent passing, she was my friend. I participated in her memorial service.

One would not attribute worldly success to Joanna when canvassing her life story. She had a challenging life; her years in Vietnam as an army nurse colored her world with darkness. Joanna didn't marry; she had no children. he didn't distinguish herself professionally after leaving the armed services. She had no financial wealth.

Yet, making these statements does not diminish the significance that Joanna made to my life and to countless others. Many might describe her significance in a word: Joanna was a caregiver. She knew and lived the art of taking time to care for others. Probably, her professional work as a nurse prepared her for this life mission. her passion; this calling to care.

Joanna had a knack of touching people of all ages. At her memorial young Tiffany called her the most loving person she had ever met. Her friend, Barbara, also a nurse, talked about how Joanna's caring nature was rooted in her understanding of American Indian traditions based on an appreciation for mother earth and its inhabitants.

Joanna, I believe, was supernormal. She was intellectually brilliant; her many writings revealed it. Yet, the most shining dimension of her life was the character of her caring.

With words of encouragement that came from some place deep in her own heart, Joanna found a way to put arms of hope around the hurting and inspire those who faced fear and despair. In her latter years, Joanna was often found working her caring magic with nurses and patients at the City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, Calif., where she was both cancer patient and doctor of caring.

Joanna has a place in my imaginary book that I call My Most Valuable People of Character. She taught me that worldly success is dwarfed by the giant acts of those who use their life to shape thoughts and actions that bring encouragement to others. Joanna's life work was about being significant. Joanna practiced the character art of the caregiver, a special gift in this sacred season of the heart.