ForeverMissed
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Joanne Marie Thayer passed away on August 4th, 2017 surrounded by her immediate family in the Vitas Hospice on Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas.

Born August 14, 1950 in Jamaica, New York, Joanne was the only child of the late Alexander and Mildred Bahr Melnichak of Huntington, New York.

She was married to husband Dennis Thayer on May 12, 1984 at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Chapel, in Tucson, Arizona. She was previously married to, and widowed by, Gene Fidler of South Brunswick, New Jersey.

Joanne is survived by her husband, and the couple's only child, Jacquelyn Michelle Thayer, of San Antonio, Texas.

Joanne had a long association working with the publishing industry. After her graduation from Walt Whitman High School in Huntington, New York in 1968, she completed a course of instruction at Katharine Gibbs College and began her professional career.

Beginning with her management position with Boys' Life magazine, she went on to work as an advertising executive at the Village Voice magazine in Manhattan, New York. After taking on the responsibilities of wife and mother, she went on later in life to found her own magazine, "A Heart of Grace and Joy," https://www.facebook.com/A-Heart-of-Grace-and-Joy-... based in the internet and featuring the splendid photography and writing of her and her talented contributors.

You can see and download if you wish, every copy. Joanne loved to share and would love for you to see her beautiful publication, created by her and her closest friends: https://aheartofgraceandjoy.wordpress.com/

Joanne's greatest interests were varied, and included crafts, particularly cross stitch; nature photography, at which she excelled as an amateur; bird watching, especially of the American bald eagle; caring for the many cats she came across in her life; her deep interest and work in genealogy; her love of travel across the United States, an interest instilled in her at a young age by her parents; her deep love of God and family; and meeting new people and making lifelong friends of them through her cheerful and smiling nature.

She founded the crafts blog "Of Generations Past," http://ofgenerationspast.blogspot.com/ to showcase her cross-stitch designs, talented and touching on so many areas, including her love of family and things of the heart and hearth, and the seashore. Please visit it, besides beautiful designs the site is filled with Joanne's thoughts and musings. In addition, she loved to post on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/joannethayerogp/

Perhaps her greatest achievement was home schooling our daughter Jacquelyn from third grade through graduation from high school, where she went on to great academic achievements herself. Based on lessons learned as part of that triumph, Joanne went on to teach at ENAACT, the New Braunfels, Texas home school academy, where she was beloved and aided the growth of so many students.

Joanne is also survived by her many cousins, and by relatives through both of her marriages, including my daughter Kelly Wagoner and her husband Thomas, of Jackson, Mississippi.

At her request, Mrs. Thayer was cremated, with her ashes to be scattered at some of the locations across the United States dearest to her heart. I will show those places in the "Stories" section of this memorial. Come, see the places she loved and where her spirit visits while her soul is with God.

Also by her request, there was no funeral. There was a commemoration and remembrance of her life in Tucson during the New Year 2018 holiday, with some of her ashes scattered at Gates Pass. Her friends and relatives are requested that there be no flowers, but donations to the Audubon Society, Vitas Hospice or your favorite charity are encouraged.

There is a marker placed in Highland Cemetery, Hopewell, New Jersey near her mother's grave, to mark her passing in perpetuity, but she will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

We love and miss you, Joanne.

December 25, 2023
December 25, 2023
Merry Christmas, sweetheart, I hope it's a wonderful one for you there, can't wait to share more of them with you together. Love and miss you!
December 9, 2023
December 9, 2023
You never wanted to shine like the sun, but nonetheless you did, and I was lucky enough to stand in your light for a time.
November 22, 2023
November 22, 2023
We have two Christmas trees up this year. The old, big one is in the front window, with colored lights, that'll be our Christmas decorating for the neighborhood. The stockings are on it too. And I bought a 6-foot tree for the living room, it's got white lights and the old ornaments will go on it, since they're breakable and you know cats... also bought a bone in ham for Thanksgiving, since I'm the only meat eater. Even Audrey, Benjamin and Freddy don't seem to be big meat eaters, go figure. Sorry, no turkey - that's just too much, maybe a big chicken on Christmas, lol. Anyway, sorry you're not here, I know how you love Thanksgiving. I hope you're having a nice one up there. All my love to you.
August 14, 2023
August 14, 2023
Happy birthday, sweetie! Not doing much today, but thinking of you and how much you hated surprise parties, LOL. I hope you've finally forgiven me for your going away party at the Village Voice.
August 14, 2023
August 14, 2023
Happy heavenly birthday Jo! I hope you are having an amazing time celebrating. We miss you so much and love you, and we wish we could be celebrating with you right now.
August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
There isn't a day you aren't thought of Jo. You are so loved and missed. ❤️
August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
It's been 6 years since you left us, thinking of you every day. See you when it's my time to come home.
December 25, 2022
December 25, 2022
Merry Christmas, sweetheart. It's not like it used to be, that's for sure. I kind of miss the wrapping paper from 11,000 kid presents lying all over the place! Miss you, can't wait to see you again.
August 14, 2022
August 14, 2022
I still miss you so very much! So many times I think of things I want to tell you... Happy Birthday. Say hello to my Mom... 
August 14, 2022
August 14, 2022
Happy birthday Jo! I hope you are enjoying your special day. We miss you. ❤️
August 14, 2022
August 14, 2022
Happy birthday, sweetheart! All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you.
August 4, 2022
August 4, 2022
It's amazing to me that five years can feel like just yesterday and also a thousand years ago at the same time. You are always in my thoughts and heart, and I look forward to being with you again.
March 27, 2022
March 27, 2022
Almost 13,000 views! I love that Joanne's story is still being told, and heard.
December 25, 2021
December 25, 2021
Your favorite time of the year and we're thinking of you, as always. Merry Christmas, love, and I will see you again, by and by.
August 14, 2021
August 14, 2021
Happy birthday Jo! We are thinking of you today, and hope you are celebrating what an amazing woman you are and know how much you are loved and missed.
August 14, 2021
August 14, 2021
Happy birthday, dear one. Thinking of you, as always.
August 4, 2021
August 4, 2021
Four years ago today this was the saddest day of our lives, but we're consoled knowing that you're with our Heavenly Father and watching over us. Love you, Jo!
December 25, 2020
December 25, 2020
Merry Christmas Jo. Every year we get out the cross-stitch pieces that showcase just one of your many incredible talents. It wouldn't be the holidays without some of your beautiful cross stitch hanging up. We love you and we miss you.
December 25, 2020
December 25, 2020
Merry Christmas, Joanne!

Thinking of you and missing you every day.
August 14, 2020
August 14, 2020
Happy heavenly birthday Jo! I hope you are up there celebrating with all your favorite things. You are so loved and missed!
August 14, 2020
August 14, 2020
Joanne thinking of you on your birthday . Still miss you, but I’ll see you one of these days....nancy clare
August 4, 2020
August 4, 2020
I won't let the world forget you, sweetheart. I know I never will. I love you forever.
August 4, 2020
August 4, 2020
Joanne...

Three years... and I still miss you just as much as I did before. Say hello
to my Mom for me!
December 26, 2019
December 26, 2019
Merry Christmas Jo! I'm looking outside at the snow and thinking of you. I think you'd love it! Today (and always) we are missing you.
December 25, 2019
December 25, 2019
Merry Christmas Joanne. Missing you today and always...

Love,
Linda
December 25, 2019
December 25, 2019
Merry Christmas, Joanne! I see you in my dreams, I can't wait until we're together again. Until then, keep watching over us, you're the best guardian angel ever!
August 14, 2019
August 14, 2019
Happy birthday Jo! I hope you are enjoying a delicious beverage and pastry up there, lighting up Heaven with your beautiful smile. We love you and miss you so much!
August 14, 2019
August 14, 2019
Happy birthday, sweetheart. I'm so looking forward to seeing you again and being with you. You are my heart.
August 6, 2019
August 6, 2019
I consider Joanne a very special friend who I will never forget. She is so missed by so many. Joanne and her family remain in my prayers.
Soon it will be Autumn. Joanne, say hello to my dad. Perhaps you can have a cup of coffee and a black & white cookie with him. You share the August birthday month.
--Andrea
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
Two years is far too long to not have you with us. We love you and miss you every day.
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
Joanne...It is so hard for me to fathom that you've now been gone from this earth and my life for two long years. I miss you so very much....

Linda...
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
Joanne has been on my mind this past week, and now I know why. What a wonderful friend you were. You are greatly missed.
August 4, 2019
August 4, 2019
What can I say? I've been without my heart for two years now, miss you so much.
May 13, 2019
May 13, 2019
Happy Anniversary, Jo. You're still the only one. Love you forever.
February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019
On this Valentine's Day I find myself missing you more than ever. Have a Happy Valentine's Day, and I'll be with you someday again. I love you, Jo.
December 25, 2018
December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas Joanne. Your second in Heaven. This is my Mom's first holiday there...  Missing you both so much....
December 25, 2018
December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas to my dear wife and love. I will be with you some day. Until then, I miss you terribly.
August 17, 2018
August 17, 2018
Your second birthday in heaven... Just wanted to let you know that my Mom passed away on Monday - August 13th... if you see her - tell her hello for me.
I miss you both so much!
August 15, 2018
August 15, 2018
Missing you with tears streaming down my face. Joanne, you were brave, smart, kind, generous, creative, a devoted wife and mother...and very loved by so many.
August 14, 2018
August 14, 2018
Happy Birthday, Joanne! We love and miss you so much. We're going to your favorite "fancy" restaurant, Crumpets to celebrate you. I'll raise a glass to your memory, young girl.
August 4, 2018
August 4, 2018
All I can say is...I miss you Joanne....
Linda Huson
August 4, 2018
August 4, 2018
We so treasure the time that we spent with Joanne.  We so enjoyed our visit to Arizona in 1997, and to San Antonio in 2005, as well as all the times that we hooked up while you guys were back East. Cyndie really misses her. The family keeps getting smaller. We hold the memories dear to our hearts. She was taken away too soon. Cyndie and I send our love to you and Jacqueline.
August 4, 2018
August 4, 2018
So today marks one year since Jo's passing. We all miss her lovely smile and sense of humor, and I can't say that the passage of time makes things any easier, but we adapt and look forward to that time when we'll be rejoined as a family.
We miss you, Joey.
June 7, 2018
June 7, 2018
As we did every year for 17 years, I'm wishing my dear friend Joanne a Happy Birth Day, in recognition of her beautiful daughter, Jacqueline's birthday. Jacqueline is my birthday twin and Joanne always sent this special Birth Day greeting to my mom. Missing you dear friend.
March 6, 2018
March 6, 2018
I've been watching the videos Dennis puts on here. I sit here smiling - with tears running down my face. I've enjoyed seeing all of the photos of Joanne throughout the years...
missing her so much....
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Recent Tributes
December 25, 2023
December 25, 2023
Merry Christmas, sweetheart, I hope it's a wonderful one for you there, can't wait to share more of them with you together. Love and miss you!
December 9, 2023
December 9, 2023
You never wanted to shine like the sun, but nonetheless you did, and I was lucky enough to stand in your light for a time.
November 22, 2023
November 22, 2023
We have two Christmas trees up this year. The old, big one is in the front window, with colored lights, that'll be our Christmas decorating for the neighborhood. The stockings are on it too. And I bought a 6-foot tree for the living room, it's got white lights and the old ornaments will go on it, since they're breakable and you know cats... also bought a bone in ham for Thanksgiving, since I'm the only meat eater. Even Audrey, Benjamin and Freddy don't seem to be big meat eaters, go figure. Sorry, no turkey - that's just too much, maybe a big chicken on Christmas, lol. Anyway, sorry you're not here, I know how you love Thanksgiving. I hope you're having a nice one up there. All my love to you.
Her Life

Thanksgiving

November 22, 2018

Thanksgiving was always one of the top holidays for Joanne. She would plan numerous side dishes for a massive Thanksgiving feast for Jacquelyn and I, but honestly all I wanted was the turkey, potatoes and gravy. And of course, the pumpkin pie! But she and Jacquelyn loved sides, and if she forgot to make or serve one or two of them, they still had plenty to choose from. All from old family recipes and all delicious.

Of course the real meaning of the holiday is to be thankful for what you have. Unfortunately the other lesson is that we're reminded of what we once had, but no longer have.

I am thankful that I was able to love and be with Joanne for 35 years, but frankly it's miserable without her.

Happy Thanksgiving Joey. Enjoy those sides at your feast and don't worry about forgetting the green beans.

Recent stories

A True Friend

August 14, 2022
In 2009/2010 my son, about to be a junior in college, was flying to Italy to attend a summer session. It was his first time flying to Europe. He was 18 yrs old. Joanne was in Texas. I was in CA. We had been on line friends for 10 years at that time. Joanne taught me how to navigate the flight site and track his flights that night. She stayed up with me ALL NIGHT until he made it by plane, train and taxi to his destination. 
Joanne did the same thing for me the first time he flew to Lima Peru laterthat year. She was a true friend and I miss her sunny caring sprit everyday.

Want to visit Highland Cemetery?

December 18, 2021
If you find yourself in (or near) Central New Jersey, why not take a ride out to Hopelawn, to Highland Cemetery, and see Joanne's memorial marker, and the graves of her mother, Mildred Melnichak and Joanne's first husband, Gene Fidler? It's a beautiful drive, and well worth the trip. This can help you to find the stones:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234850459/joanne-marie-thayer

For you, Jo

March 8, 2020

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