Joanna Keith Fabling

To my GodBrothers, Bobby, Keith, and David and especially to my JoNanner...
After I received the phone call that my Godmother, Joanna had passed away, I just could not seem to function for the rest of the day or for the next........the tears just could not stop flowing. I felt that a very special time had come to a halt, one that I had been realizing for quite awhile, but none the less, one that was brought more into focus when I heard about Joanna's passing. She was my GodMother. She was the last of the Mohikans. She was from a group of friends that were my family, always there and always supportive and always supportive for each others children. They have now all passed and Joanna was the final one. There was my Mom and Dad (Sydney and Jimmy), who lived next door to Joanna and Fabe before I was even born, then there was Carl and Donna, and Jake and Virginia, and Francis and Marcene, and please forgive me if I've left others out. These wonderful people taught me the true meaning of friendship and unconditional love. I will forever be grateful for their love and wisdom, that I now can confess that I did not truely appreciate until I got older.
Please say hello to everyone for me my JoNanner, because I know that you are now with them all......
And lastly I have to say that I love you Bobby, and Keith, and David with all of my heart and I thank God that my parents and your parents taught me that love.
Pat

Bobby, Keith and David--Reading the tribute to your mom linked me to your family and sent me back to my childhood. We were one of those families who lived on Betty street in Bellaire in the late 40's and early 50's (remember the railroad tracks at the end of the street?)and we were a family with two children at the time (Doug and Carolyn). So many times while going thru family photo albums we see pictures of ourselves with 'some boys' from the neighborhood. Mom fondly speaks of your family. Though you are not in anyway related to our family you have always been a part of our lives in stories and pictures mom and dad continued to share with us. My thoughts and prayers are with your family

My grandmother(Nana) will be missed by my wife(Myra) and I very much. I will always think of her and my grandfather as the best grandparents a child could have. I am so thankful that my daughter(Eva) was able to meet her great grandmother and put a huge smile on Joanna's face. I remember like it was yesterday, waking up at 4 a.m. to go catch blue crabs in Galveston with my brother and Nana. She did know the best places to go "crabin". She put up with my brother and I for a week long drive to Lake Tahoe not once but twice! That alone should qualify her for sainthood. I will miss talking to her about the Astros, or about what mess my daughter was making that day, or asking her to please make her Oyster dressing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most of all, I look forward to telling my daughter all about her great-grandmother while we are "crabin" at one of her many secret spots. I Love you Nana.

Closing Becomes Opening

Compassionate eyes,
Clear enough to see,
Deep enough to care.

Bright eyes with sparkle
Lighting the face of Joanna Fabling:
Eternal light, her legacy.

A candle will lighten her loss
This first year 2008, June 19
And ever-returning revolution.

My dear, dear friends-Bobby,Keith,&David. What a beautiful tribute you have written to describe Joanna! I just returned from a trip to hear the news of your Mom's passing. I think my spirit sister,Pat, said it all. I will always be grateful for the wonderful memories of all the love that our parents shared and the bond that they taught us of the importance of friendship. Those childhood times were something that few people are privileged enough to experience. She was the last of "the good ones" and I thank God for her presence in my life. With loving condolences, Cindy

I've been friends with Keith since the 9th grade so Joanna has always been, and still is, Mrs. Fabling to me. You never had to look beyond Mrs. Fabling to see why Keith was such a wonderful person. She was a great mom and inspiration to all the "kids" who hung around their home and grew up together. Keith and I both went to Texas Tech and, when it came time for sorority rush, Mrs. Fabling flew to Tech to personally share her interest in my becoming a Theta and support me during the process of rush. That's just another example of her level of love and caring for others. She will be missed.

Although we had not been in contact with each other for quite sometime, I feel a deep emptiness just knowing she is gone. She was my Godmother too, and I can still hear her beautifully distinct voice; and I can feel her love and warmth surrounding me. She has been a big part of my life ... whether or not she knew that. The Fablings and Flints' lives were very bonded growing up in Houston and Uncle Fab was my first boss! Such kind and loving folks. You kids (and grandchildren and great grandchildren) have truly been blessed to have her undivided love all these years. My heart is filled with sadness and at the same time, a comfort knowing that she and Uncle Fab can now be reunited! Peace.
All my love goes out to Bobby, Keith & David, & family. Melissa Rae 2821 57th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817-2403

I am sorry to read about the passing of your love one. I send my sincere condolences to the family and friends. When the enemy death strikes our grief can be great. It is at times like this that we need comfort and support whether we are acquainted or not. May you find comfort in Almighty God's word the Bible and his promise of the 'resurrection': "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out..." How truly comforting it is to know that we have the prospects of seeing our love ones again under the best condition possible, a beautiful Paradise earth; God's original purpose for mankind. All of God's promises will come true, for it is impossible for God to lie. Once again, you have my sincere condolences.-John 5: 28 & 29, Psalms 37:29, Luke 23: 43, Hebrews 6:18.