Saying goodbye is hard to do

Published 2:59 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

“Joan knows everybody, so when someone walks in the

door, they instantly recognize someone. And she also knows what it

takes to get a newspaper out, never missing an issue for 25 years.”

Jim McKiernan

Publisher, Valley Record

“She’s a very dedicated person to this paper and she will truly

be missed because you always knew that Joan was going to be

here. Over the last four years, there was a bit of hesitation on trying

something new, but she did it anyway — the change in the business

and the modernization — she would just go with the flow. She’ll

be missed. She’s a piece of the history of the paper.”

Karen McKiernan

Publisher, Valley Record

“I can’t even imagine the Valley Record without Joan.

Twenty-five years is a long time. She has always been there for all of us

and after nine years, we are definitely family. I am so happy for her

to have the opportunity to do what some of us only dream about.

Can’t wait for her to get settled so I can take my vacation. I’m going to

miss her so much.”

Marie Everett

Advertising, Valley Record

“Every place I’ve ever worked has always had one person who was

the “corporate memory” and that’s Joan. She’s the one here who knows

everyone and everything and she’s always been willing to help the rest of

the staff and our readers. I really hate to see her go.”

Mark Morgan

Editor, Valley Record

“We always talked about running away to Hawaii to get away from

the rain — I guess she won! Aloha to my Hawaiian soul sister.”

Michelle Liu

Reporter, Valley Record

“Joan was the glue here, and though we’ll all be lost without

her, she’s a living example of good things happening to good people. I wish

her Godspeed.”

Jeanette Knutson

Copy editor, Valley Record

“She keeps the whole office in a positive mood because she’s

always kidding around and you never know what to expect from her. I will

miss the choice comments when I put a folder of finished ads on her desk.

And she puts up with me.”

Steve Laurens

Graphics, Valley Record

“We’ll miss her clutter — numerous bears in assorted

sizes, candles and candy. And the oldies but goodies music, that’s what

I won’t miss most about Joan.”

Sally Campbell

Office staff, Valley Record

“I will miss giving her a bad time. I will miss her sense of

humor — she takes the bad time I give her pretty well. She has a pretty

big heart; she’d do anything for anybody if she could. She’d

always come to the back shop with this annoying drawn out way of saying

my name, `Ba-aart.’ That usually meant she wanted something.”

Bart Kelly

Falls Printing

“The food — cookies and candy too.”

James McKiernan

Columnist, Valley Record

“She was nice and kind to me and the sweets.”

Lynnae McKiernan

Columnist, Valley Record

“Joan was a great worker. Very dependable. And she always

went over and above.”

Bob Scott

Falls Printing