…I’ll bet you loved her!

This is my Aunt Jo (Josephine) and she was one of the kindest, sweetest people I had the honor to know. She is my father’s oldest sister and she passed away last Tuesday, 12.30.2008 and was laid to rest on Saturday, 01.03.2009. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, who loved her, and who had the good fortune to be in her presence.  She was a good woman.

I’ve chosen to post an image of Aunt Jo when she was vibrant and young because in my eyes and in my family’s hearts that is all she ever was any way; vibrant and young and filled with love and life!

Aunt Jo, circa. 1940, Conneaut, Ohio

I have been blessed to hail from a wonderful Italian family filled with special Aunts, Uncles and cousins on both sides of my family and I am grateful for all of you.

My Aunt Jo is the third loss I’ve had to deal with from November through December, but I continue to count my blessings. I figure if I count my blessings - many of them coming from those I know and love - I’ll be way too busy to think anything other than loving thoughts.

Here’s to you Aunt Jo, and to the legacy of love you’ve left us…not to mention all those good cookie recepies!

BIG love to Aunt Jo, Eddie Jr., Bart, Randy and our extended family - Joanne

This past Saturday, July 5th Jeremy Ganss, DJ extraordinaire and his beautiful fiance, Heather Wingard, married in an intimate ceremony surrounded by their loving family and closest friends in a beautiful outdoor setting! It was my honor to attend as a guest, but as I mentioned in my previous blog, how could I not take my camera?!!! I couldn’t; I did! And Ryan Sigesmund, the talented photographer and friend of Jeremy and Heather’s, who was actually hired by them to photograph was gracious enough to allow me to, well, kind of “second-shoot” with him. Actually, as a friend of Jeremy and Heather’s, and as professional photographer I just HAD to photo them! For me, it was simply impossible not to. Heather, you were simply stunning and Jeremy, as dashing as could be! It was a beautiful day and it REALLY was an honor for me to be your guest and enjoy your beautiful love - CONGRATULATIONS! I love you both and am thrilled for you!

So, here is a slide show of some of the many wonderful images I created for Jeremy and Heather from throughout their day…ENJOY!

BIG love, Joanne Bartone, Photographer