A Shining Star

Your life ought to be as one long prayer that God's Spirit may work through all your thinking and acting to bless your neighbor.

Peter Reisch
trans. from German by Br. David Steindl-Rast

 

 

JoAnn Nalbandian Koobatian was that person

and we were indeed blessed to know her

 

Diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer eight years ago, she underwent dozens of procedures, treatments and surgeries without an ounce of self-pity or a dimming of her prodigious faith. 

 

Through it all, she continued her work as

Foothill High School Director of Choirs. 

Even when she could no longer use 

her own beautiful singing voice, she made sure she was there

to help her students find and develop theirs.   

 

She gave her little girl, Amanda, her husband, Richard, her parents and family and friends eight precious bonus years of love and devotion.

 

We often hear of people ferociously battling cancer.  JoAnn did so from an inner strength that sometimes helped sustain those around her,

instead of the other way around.

 

The traditional Armenian blessing when someone dies is:  May his/her spirit be illuminated in its journey.  In JoAnn's case, there is no doubt in my mind that she's making her journey under a celestial spotlight,

surrounded by applause and cheers.