JOANNE V. HIRABAYASHI

As an extended guest in Joanne's house in Mill Valley, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to see what a truly special and caring person she was. We will all miss her terribly. She is always in my heart and my thoughts, just as my own mother is. Thank you Joanne for your kindness.

I have known Joanne and her family since the days they lived in Mill Valley. Watching Jan and Smiley grow up was special. I still have the book written by Ms. Seidler about a dog - with a great photo of Jan included. God is saving a very special place for Joanne, a very special person.

I remember Aunt Joanne the best when I, my twin sister Mari and brother Jay, lived at my grandparents' nursing home in Seattle in 1956 with my Mom, Esther Hirabayashi. We were there for the winter and us kids went to grade school nearby. Aunt Joanne was a young mother and I remember Smile (Lane) as being an active mischievious little boy about 4 years old. We got to know Aunt Joanne, Lane and Jan well that winter. Later on as I became an adult, we exchanged Christmas cards and letters...

As a newly-minted library school graduate, my first interview was with Joanne in Novato. We had a lively discussion, and her last question was about what types of children I had problems with. I think I mumbled something unintelligible and she said "Bullies. I have a problem with bullies." That was the first thing among many that I learned from her over the course of our work-life and friendship. She taught me how to cross-country ski, how to cook amazing meals in one pot, how to find frogs...