(memory email about Joan from a dear Canadian teacher friend who taught with Ilana in Doha, Qatar) "I distinctly remember being at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour for the annual Creativity arts and craft show, being drawn to this very intriguing women. It wasn't just the jewellery that had me nearing her table (Yes, that was also true!). Here was this women with a boundless smile and fabulous floating kaftan-like dress. She reminded me of Endora from Bewitched. Soon enough, I was spending all my savings - as a student, that is a relative term - to purchase a unique pewter with a stunning blue/green stone. I did in fact purchase the necklace for my own mother. Your mum placed it in a Scottish tartan fabric pouch. Mum still has it. This is remarkable given I really wanted to keep it myself! Decades later, now as a teacher, one day, I see this very same lady again in DOHA of all places! Was she a famous artist in the Middle East now? Imagine my surprise when I saw that she was with you (Ilana). Who knew that our lives would be connected through her charming, sporty, creative, and intelligent daughter! It may sound cliche, and sometimes cliches are comforting, but your mum really does take root in you. All that I have experienced of your mum, is perpetuated in you...with your own twist. It is good to see such 'wonder'-fulness continue to grow. Thinking of you and all your family...