Remembering Joan Maust

I learned today that my aunt, Joan Maust, died yesterday morning.  Her death was not unexpected, but it saddened me just the same.  She had suffered with multiple myeloma for years and was in a great deal of pain for the last years of her life.  I heard from her brother several months ago who told me she was on hospice care.  I was talking to Mike about her just this morning, and about an hour later, I received a telephone call telling me of the news.

She was the wife of my uncle, Leland Maust, who was my mother's brother.  He preceded her in death a few years ago.  They were always very good to me when I was growing up, and I kept in touch with them over the years.  Along with my grandmother, Bertha Maust, Aunt Joan inspired me to learn to quilt.  She was an expert quilter, and I always enjoyed looking through her newest quilts when I visited their home.  She knew I loved lemon meringue pie and she always had a fresh one waiting for me when I came.

They were not able to have any children, and I know she wanted them.  She would have made a good mother.  Instead, she enjoyed caring for the children at the childcare center at their church.  She and my uncle had a foster son, Jack, who was every bit as much of a son had he been of their own blood, and they remained close throughout their lives.  She had a long career with Bell Telephone Company before it was broken up by the court many years ago.  After that, she had a long retirement, but kept busy with her sewing, canning, crafts, and her church. 

So here's to you, Aunt Joan.  Journey sweetly to the great beyond.