"What can I say? Joan was my mom. She was the best mother anyone could ever hope for. I firmly believe the world would be a much better and kinder place if everyone had a mother like mine. Not only was she the best mom, but she became my absolute best friend as I entered adulthood. We were partners in crime and I dread the day when I am out to eat at one of her favorite spots in Warrenton and someone asks where she is and why am I there without her. My mom was a force to be reckoned with. She was strong willed, very intelligent, and firm in her convictions. She was also kind, forgiving, and quite generous. Thanks to her kindness and love for the innocents in this world (animals and children), I was raised with all kinds of critters and met all kinds of people. I like to think those experiences she gave us deeply instilled her values in me. Mission accomplished! She did a good job. She was a phenomenal cook with a taste for good food – a true foodie. Good grief did she share that with us! Some of my fondest memories are of annoying Mom while she worked hard to put together yet another gorgeous meal. I don’t think I can remember my Dad ever jokingly rating anything less than an “A”. I will forever miss our daily talks and confiding in one another, the unconditional love and support she made sure I felt at all times, her smell, and her beautiful presence. Her passing has left a massive hole in my heart that I’m not sure will ever heal, but there is one small chuckle I get from it. She always said something along the lines of “Only the good die young, so don’t worry, I’m going to be here for a while”. She left us way too early, so as we all already knew, she truly was a good one. She was unapologetically Joan. She was the best. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Mom. Thank you for being my Mom and giving me the best life. Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for being you. I will love and miss you forever.”

"I met Joan in New York City on Friday 13th, 1984. It was the luckiest day of my life. We were young and our future was bright. Joan had finished her master’s degree, and I was working my first job downtown. We eventually married and moved to Rixeyville, Virginia with a view of raising a family after renovating our “fixer upper.” It was an adventure. I mean, this was not New York – yet we appreciated the tranquility and space which our new neighborhood provided. Joan, quick to adapt to her unfamiliar environment, took charge of the renovation project while I commuted to Alexandria. In those days, you could get away with a commute of that sort. Our life together as newlyweds in the new home was wonderful. Except for the ghost. Yes, there was the Rixey family gravesite near our backyard. And, yes, the woman (ghost) described by numerous friends and family visiting our home fit the description one would expect of one of the Rixey family members. Later we moved our young family to Warrenton (VA). These were interesting times because we had bought a builder’s home at a discount! No ghost, but a significant basement water problem. In retrospect, I would have preferred the ghost. Our family quickly became part of the Warrenton community – which was perfect for us in raising our kids. There were new friends and new schools. Joan and I had the “wanderlust” again, and so we purchased acreage in the Wildcat Mountain area, just north of Warrenton. This gave Joan an opportunity to relive her youth. She grew up on a cattle farm near Atlanta, surrounded by animals of all kinds—a setting that nurtured her lifelong love for them. As she got older, that love grew into a special devotion to horses, leading her to rescue and rehome them whenever she could. It was wonderful to see a dozen Thoroughbreds gallop up the hill to be the first in line during feeding time. The ground trembled and of course I provided the animals with ample space. I was a suburbanite from Jersey – so Joan reminded me every day to stay safe. She had no need for a person with disabilities. My job on the farm was to feed critters and mend fences. She did the supervising. As our family grew older, we sold Deerwood Farm in part and moved back to Warrenton. It was more of a practical move. Our emotional attachment to the farm has remained strong since that wonderful era. Joan took immense pride in ensuring that our kids adopted a sense of responsibility, purpose, and fair play. She also displayed her affection for all immediate and extended family members as a show of mutual solidarity – knowing that their lives would have new adventures and challenges. Sadly, I wish Joan had not left us so early. Her goal was to see our family continue to grow, and I am certain she would have offered her much needed advice. Even though Joan will not be with us in person, I am confident that she is here in spirit. Joan, I will miss you. Rest in peace. Dag Hellandsjo”