Sunday, June 11, 2023
My condolences to Steve, Richard and Riva.
Your mom Joan was a warm, generous, kind and loyal friend to my parents, Bob and Arlene.
Whenever I think of your mom, I am embraced with a warm loving smile.
Three memories immediately come to mind:
It must have been in the mid 1950s when my parents along with other couples attended a party at your Kiamesha Lake home.
Although it started out as a warm spring day, the evening brought a huge snow storm and everyone was stuck in your home.
it was one of those funny memories that slipped into conversations for decades.
A few years later, this time it must have been in the summer during early 1960s.
Everyone was busy working in the summer - and your mom called my mom on a Friday late afternoon.
I heard my mom say, 'But Joan, we simply can't get away, Bob is at work, and...'
I heard your mom say, 'Arlene you must come to the hotel tonight, you won't believe this singer.
I can't tell you how great she is. Please try and come and stay over if possible.'
My mom thanked your mom and the conversation eventually ended.
Curious as ever I asked mom what that was all about.
My mom answer, 'There's no way we can go. Joanie invited Dad and I to hear a new singer.
She's Jewish not very good looking but with a huge voice.'
Yes it was young Barbra Streisand
Another great memory that was repeated over and over through the years
The last time I saw Joan was in June 1981 when my father passed away.
I'm sure my father was smiling as was I when Joan catered my father's funeral and shiva.
Over the past 30 years or so our mothers lost touch.
Joan was in Florida, my mom in Israel.
But the loving memories kept them together.
