It has been a week since I heard the news that my fellow genealogist, blogger, and friend, Joan Miller had passed away after a battle with cancer.  It is still difficult for me to believe she is gone.

There are people who come into your life, and you instantly like them.  Joan was one of those people.

I remember meeting Joan and her husband, Reg, for the first time in January 2010 when I was a speaker at the Arizona Family History Expo in Mesa, AZ.  A group of Geneabloggers in attendance went out for dinner.  I remember Joan and I shared a sampling of wines and some great conversation.

Over the years, we saw each other at other conferences, including RootsTech, and the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree.  We would always joke about how Reg, who swore he was “not a genealogist” was slowly becoming one, even though he would not admit it.

Joan wrote a wonderful and award-winning Blog called Luxegen.

I will miss Joan’s kindness, enthusiasm, and sense of humor.  Quite simply:  Joan was one of the good ones.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Reg and her family.