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Joanne Burkhart had a luminous complexion, a stunning smile and an infectious spirit and enthusiasm for the
dance *and* the frame drum. Joanne brought her son and his
girlfriend to the November 2000 hafla at the Aladdin and I will always remember
how much fun she had that night. She was sooo pleased she convinced her
son to come out to this event so he could catch a glimpse of this "thing"
she had such a passion for. In fact, Joanne is responsible for several
great photos residing here on my website from that party. (See Aladdin November Hafla) ~ she could hardly
wait to show 'em to me: she brought 'em to my house radiantly beaming that
they had turned out so well and wanting to share copies with me ASAP!
Joanne and I shared a tremendous respect for Glen Velez and together we
participated in the drumming circle with Glen at Lafayette College
September 2000. She was unable to commit to the HANDANCE series I organized at Little Pond but we were looking forward to drumming
together once the series with Glen concluded....
 Sherry Zera and Joanne at the November 2000 Hafla |
The last time I saw Joanne she was
with her good friend Sherry Zera at the women's fashion show/event at the
Islamic Center of Lehigh Valley here in Whitehall at the end of April. We
giddily bought painted Egyptian papyrus together. Joanne also purchased a
plague with an inscription in Arabic calligraphy. My recollection is it
said: "Allah O Akbar" (God is Great)
Joanne now rests in the hands of God/Goddess. Some of you may remember Joanne from my Level I
class at Northampton Community College while others of you may not have
ever met Joanne. In either case, Joanne's Spirit will live on in my
classes forever. Less than two weeks before her passing, Joanne sent me an e-mail requesting prayers of grace, particularly for her son that he might have the strength to face
what may lie ahead. Of course, I replied she would be in mine (*never*
imagining *how very quickly* this was all transpiring).
'Allah O Akbar' ~
I believe those prayers were answered. Many of us know all too well how
nasty cancer can be but Joanne did not suffer long. 'Allah O Akbar'
Joanne, only 48, was diagnosed with colon cancer in early May and on
Friday, June 15, 2001, she passed on from St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill.
