On a perfect 65-degree, breathlessly beautiful, winter Cedar Key Sunday afternoon, today, some twenty folks gathered to celebrate what would have been Joan Horn’s eighty-fifth birthday.   Though Joan passed away on October 27, Joan, in her most fulsome spirit was there as well.  

Wonderful remembrances were shared. One of Library Manager Molly Jubitz’s favorite memories about Joan was that Joan always wanted Molly to know, “You always have an angel in Cedar Key,” implying that if Molly ever needed anything for the Library, the angel would help. Joan did not say who the angel was and while Joan was alive, Molly would never say who she thought that angel was. Now that Joan is no longer here, Molly, somewhat weepily, told the gathered group the tale, with Joan, of course, being the angel.

Molly offered that the Friends of the Library would soon dedicate the bookshelves’ wooden end panels in memory of Joan. “She has done so much for our library,” furthered Molly.

Commissioner Sue Colson remembered the countless times she had driven up and down G Street, buoyant, or conversely, grumbling about the day’s events. Joan would call her over, quietly sit with her, calm her, listen to her, and counsel her. Sue said, “I needed more tempering and mentoring than Molly did.” Sue also remembers Joan worrying about the sea oats in front of her house, wanting a sign there to educate people about the oats’ assets to the coastline. The group reflected that Joan would be most happy that the Living Schoreline Project was healthily moving forward in her own front yard. Sue also talked about Joan’s dedication to the Cedar Key School, neighborhood turtles, and, of course, the school’s Track Team.

Sue also reflected on how very much Joan loved young Jeff Schleede, now an eighth grader at Cedar Key School. She recalled how much Joan wanted to “pour everything from her head and her heart into the boy.”

Thoroughly in keeping with Molly’s, Sue’s, and the Schleede family’s remembrances, Leslie Sturmer recalled Joan as “Noni, no bologna!”   “And she was absolutely no Balogna, for sure!” exclaimed Sturmer.

Lori Schleede read the powerful, comprehensive obituary that she and her family wrote. Immediately thereafter she read a poignant reflection written by Joan herself. The obituary and the reflection may be viewed by clicking here.

Lori’s mother, Sandra Geraine, remarked, “We’re celebrating a wonderful woman’s birthday; she would have been 85 years old today.”

The Schleede family dedicated a bench to Joan; it is located on First Street at the foot of G Street. Ever so appropriately, the plaque reads, “the counselor is in….”

Should anyone care to donate in remembrance of Joan Horn, Drummond Bank has a container from which all proceeds will go to the Cedar Key School track team.

Among the folks in attendance were Rick and Vickie Crumpley, Molly Jubitz, Anne Miller, Jeff Schleede, Lori and Jeff Schleede, Sandra Geraine, Leslie Sturmer, Esta Johnson, Frank and Mandy Offerle, Jane Moore and Glynn Warwick, and Sue Colson.

Indeed, as Sue said, “this is not a sad day; it is a celebratory day!”

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