Joan Longanecker
August 01, 2007
A Very Special Friend of Wilson By Bonnie Faulkner
The first time Joan's name became known to me was through Alma Long, a long-time Wilson Memorial employee who was hired in 1987. Alma, always cheerful and caring, made a significant impact on Joan and her husband, John, as you will read below.
Just before Christmas in 2004 Alma received a Christmas card and note from Joan, which read:
Dear Alma,I will always think of you as my guardian angel and of all my caregivers. I do pray you and your family are well. Remember when we had no hospital many years ago and how blessed we all are. I gave Wilson Memorial Hospital Health Foundation my property in my will. I thank God for you all. Bless your pea-pickin' heart.Joan Longanecker
It was through this brief touching note to Alma that the Wilson Memorial Hospital Foundation first learned of Joan's charitable intent. I then had the privilege of making her acquaintance. At that very first meeting on a cold December day, I realized what a wonderfully warm and caring person Joan has always been and continues to be.
In 1918, babies were born at home. Such was the case when Joan was born in Jackson Center weighing in at slightly less than three pounds. Remember, this was 1918, it was a miracle that she survived. Joan attributes her survival to her mother who nursed and cared for her day and night. She was so tiny that her mother lined a cigar box with batting and satin. This was Joan's bed until she eventually outgrew it and moved to a pillow. Joan is still tiny in stature, but a giant when it comes to her determination, values and strength of character.
Joan's husband, John was born in North Dakota and was delivered by a midwife. He suffered from ill health since birth, but that didn't stop them from doing things that they enjoyed. Both Joan and her husband, John, always loved music and the Big Bands. So much so that even on their wedding day in 1936 during the Great Depression, they headed to Indiana with other members of John's orchestra to play a ballroom gig so others could dance to their music.
Beginning in the spring of 1945 and for many years thereafter, Joan and her beloved Johnny traveled in automobiles and, if they were lucky, maybe a bus or plane, playing with bands and orchestras often part of groups that entertained soldiers all over the United States.
In 1940, John had a serious bout with pneumonia and spent 2 months at Wilson. Dr. Cyril Hussey called him his walking miracle. Unfortunately, John was diagnosed with cancer that prevented him from playing his treasured trumpet and trombone and eventually took his life in 1983.
Later that same year Joan had an auto accident that very nearly ended her life. She spent quite some time at Wilson and attributes her survival to the care she received and to her doctor. She never fails to describe Dr. Miguel Topalov as her "wonderful physician".
Joan always says, "Johnny had wonderful care at Wilson and they took such good care of him and of me actually saved my life. This is why I love Wilson Memorial Hospital and am so thankful! We are so lucky it is here in our community and I want people to appreciate it, too".
At age 89, Joan is still a very perky, lively lady who often writes poetry, loves music and believes strongly in the mission of Wilson Memorial Hospital. She has an inner strength and perseverance that many of us could only hope to emulate.
Joan, thank you from the bottom of our pea-pickin hearts for your gift to Wilson Memorial Hospital!
For more information please contact Bonnie Faulkner, Executive Director Wilson Memorial Hospital Foundation at bfaulkner@wilsonhospital.com or (937) 498-5575.