A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND JOANNE,
With Photos of her and her family spanning 1979 - 2006.
My friend Joanne passed away on the morning of September 30, 2006. She died from lung cancer. Earlier this year she asked me for some of the photos I
have taken over the years. I scanned about 120 pictures to get printed for her. I thought I would share some of my favorites and put them on this web site.
How do you write about someone's life? You are not with that person all the time.
As a friend you probably see a different person than a family member. My perspective of my friend Joanne
is my own personal one. The times I spent with her.
I first met Joanne and her kids Rick and Lisa in 1979 when I was living
on Dolores Street in San Francisco. I would pass her first floor flat as I was walking up to my second
floor flat. She invited me in for a beer and we eventually became friends. It was also the time when I got my first
35mm camera and began taking photography classes - so she and her family were photographed often.
I pray for you Joanne and send you my love wherever you are. I will miss you. I hope your family enjoys some of these photo memories.
This is probably the first portrait I took of Joanne in my apartment on Dolores Street.
On the right side of the photo you can see me taking the picture in the mirror.
This photo of Joanne's son Rick and his cousin Matthew is from the first
roll of film that I ever shot of the family. It was shot about a month before Rick's 15th birthday.
This photo of Joanne's son Rick and her daughter Lisa was probably
shot in early 1980.
I had a white wall in my apartment and liked to do "funny" portraits for my first
black and white photography class with the simple background.
Joanne's sister Shirley sat for a portrait I did for an early photo class.
Rick was on the high school wrestling team.
Although they were seperated, Joanne's husband Tony (left) came to visit in 1980.
From left to right, it's Lisa, Rick, Joanne's Mom and Joanne.
Searching through my negatives this week I came across this photogrpah of Joanne and me that
has never been printed before. What a surprise!
Another surprise from my negative file. A never been printed before photograph of Joanne and Rick
on Dolores Street before Rick's Junior Prom.
Joanne and Tony in front of an apartment Tony, Rick and I rented on Hearst Street in 1981.
Rick (right) joined the U.S. Navy after high school.
My brother Robert came to visit in the early 1980s. From left to right it's Robert, Joanne, and Joanne's boyfriend Jim.
Rick and I were roommates in a house in the Excelsior District of San Francisco in the mid-1980s.
From left to right it's Lisa, Lisa's boyfriend Paul, Rick, Joanne, Jim and me.
Here's a fun shot of Joanne with her two of her sisters. From left to right it's Marie,
Melinda and Joanne. Joanne came from a big family. She is one of eight children and has four sisters and three brothers.
Joanne and Jim celebrating Thanksgiving in the mid-1980s.
This shot of Joanne and Jim is from the late 1980s. Jim is a native of Brooklyn, New York and still lives with Joanne.
Joanne and I took a trip to Las Vegas in 1988. We met my Aunt Nina and Uncle Vinny there and their family.
Lisa and her children in the early 1990s.
Rick (right) with his kids in 2005. From left to right it's Rick's
step-son Mark, his son Brian and Rick.
Rick and Brian with their puppy in 2005.
This is probably one of the more recent photographs I have of Joanne, circa 1989.
We spent a fun day at the San Francisco Zoo with her nephew Brian.
BONUS PHOTOS
This is one of my favorite portraits of Joanne and I did not take it. My brother
Robert took it. My brother came out from New York a few times in the 1980s. He struck up a friendship with
Joanne and Jim and hung out with them at various times.
This photo is from Joanne's collection. Photographer unknown.
Joanne is in the center to the left is her mother-in-law Eloisa Villasenor and to the right
is her sister-in-law Eleanor.
EPILOG
I lost my friend Joanne a few nights ago. It's hard to believe she is gone. I knew her for 27 years.
I loved her - even through some of the crazy times she put me through.
I knew she had some personal problems, but deep down inside she was a very loving person.
This last photograph is not way I want to remember Joanne. But it does show the love
Joanne's long-time companion Jim had for her. Throughout their 29 years together there were only
a few periods where they were apart. He stood by her through her sicknesses and health.
He cared for her constantly in her last few months.
Jim checks up on Joanne in their bedroom in the Excelsior District.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, JOANNE.
FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME AT
Philflash@AOL.com
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS. THANKS!