I am so sad to hear of Jo Ann's passing... We were very close friends in high school; and then lost contact when we went off to college. However, I saw her at the 20th reunion, and was so happy to hear about her wonderful life then. I send my prayers to her family during this sad time..With love, Ina (Miller) Meyer
I was saddened to learn this news about Jo Ann. I knew her pretty well in high school not just from classes but also because we shared a piano teacher (she was much better than I). We both settled in the NYC area and had communicated a couple of times over the years. However, starting about a decade ago we began to socialize more regularly. I visited her in Great Neck several times and met her children. We lost touch in recent years, but what struck me was how she remained the same person, an open book and anything but shy. She often spoke about her children and grandchildren, and I send my deepest condolences to them.
Your photo in the Yearbook 1969 looks familiar obviously, not sure we knew each other. I was very saddened of your untimily death. Rest in Peace dear friend. Condolences to your spouse, children and grandchildren.
Jo Ann, whom I lost contact with decades ago, and I had a joint piano recital in our junior year. Our teacher was Esther Howe, beloved and long-gone also. I wonder if Jo Ann continued with her music, as I have done.
My sister-in-law Emily is a great baker. My sister-in-law Emily has severe epilepsy.
I am a certified adult nurse practitioner who can’t stand to see people suffer and always tries to figure out solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems.
Thirty-two years ago, when I met Emily, she would have grand mal seizures every 15 minutes for the two weeks preceding her menstrual period. We, not any physicians, recognized this pattern. I spoke to physicians I knew and most had no idea what to do. With prodding, a few were willing to listen.
Over time, a few regimens helped a bit, but the problem persisted and Emily could not drive, work or live on her own. As if this was not enough, in 2000, Emily was given two medications together, developed a rash which her doctor told her to ignore, and in one day she was completely orange. Emily’s liver was destroyed. Luckily, a donor liver was found. Emily must be on immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of her life. However, these drugs destroy the joints. Emily, now 52, has had two hip replacements; one knee replacement and is awaiting the second knee replacement in June. The second knee replacement had to be postponed because after the first knee, Emily began rejecting her liver. More drugs and time were needed to save the liver. She currently wears a brace and uses a walker. At last, the coast is clear for the second knee surgery. (The surgery went well (June, 2010) but she now suffers from sciatica pain and still needs the walker.)
By chance, while working as an English teacher (I also have a degree in English) I discovered other women were suffering from what is termed catamenial epilepsy, seizures caused by the menstrual cycle. Now, six years later, one teacher’s daughter has had to drop out of college because of her seizures. Her parents have gone everywhere and tried many things, but nothing has solved the problem.
I can’t say when the idea first came to me about starting Emily’s Edibles. I can tell you how it evolved. My first idea was Emily’s Edibles for Epilepsy. My family and I rejected this name because we did not want people to think they might get epilepsy from the pastries.
Time passed and Emily’s Edibles and Pastries With A Purpose were both trademarked. They are baked in a commercial bakery in New Jersey using Emily’s recipes. All ingredients are kosher. The idea behind the company is simple: instead of buying commercial pastries, why not purchase Emily’s Edibles? When purchasing Emily’s Edibles, one gets delicious, all natural pastries and contributes to building a research fund for the study of epilepsy in women. As the fund builds, I will advertise for those who wish to study epilepsy in women. I will have a professional review the grant proposals, and if the grant truly studies the effect of hormones on seizure activity in epileptic women, an Emily’s Edibles® grant will be awarded.
Emily can no longer benefit from this research since she is now menopausal. This research will prevent other women from suffering as Emily has suffered. Emily’s Edibles® honors Emily’s baking expertise; how she has survived all the traumas associated with her epilepsy (Emily had seizures from flashing lights, diesel fumes, paint, glue and smoke and still has seizures from low blood sugar and other unknown causes). Emily’s Edibles® honors Emily for her joyful approach to life. Rarely does she feel sorry for herself. She has the amazing ability to be happy with and for others. She currently lives in a group home sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation.
It is my hope that while Emily’s Edibles grants fund the study of epilepsy in women, other questions will also be answered. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the answers to these other questions could help Emily to finally live her life on her own and, perhaps, eliminate her epilepsy once and for all?
On the eve of our 50 year reunion; fond memories of the way we knew you:
GREENWALD - Jo Ann. We mourn the loss of Jo Ann Greenwald who passed away on Sunday February 14th after a brief illness. Jo Ann was a devoted mother to Lisa, David and Max Greenwald, mother-in-law to David Rosenberg and Shana Greenwald and future mother-in-law to Lauren Goldfaden. She was an adoring grandmother to Aleah and Hazel Rosenberg and Barbara Hattie Greenwald. A nurse practitioner, English teacher, entrepreneur, pioneer in the early days of Diabetes in pregnancy, advocate for consumerism in healthcare, writer of picture books, passionate fan of MSNBC, Jewish tradition, The View, corn muffins and chamber music - her absence will be felt forever. Published by Newsday on Feb. 21, 2021.
Ina Miller (Meyer)
I am so sad to hear of Jo Ann's passing... We were very close friends in high school; and then lost contact when we went off to college. However, I saw her at the 20th reunion, and was so happy to hear about her wonderful life then. I send my prayers to her family during this sad time..With love, Ina (Miller) Meyer
Michael (Mickey) Rindler
I was saddened to learn this news about Jo Ann. I knew her pretty well in high school not just from classes but also because we shared a piano teacher (she was much better than I). We both settled in the NYC area and had communicated a couple of times over the years. However, starting about a decade ago we began to socialize more regularly. I visited her in Great Neck several times and met her children. We lost touch in recent years, but what struck me was how she remained the same person, an open book and anything but shy. She often spoke about her children and grandchildren, and I send my deepest condolences to them.
Antonio Magri
Dear Jo Ann,
Your photo in the Yearbook 1969 looks familiar obviously, not sure we knew each other. I was very saddened of your untimily death. Rest in Peace dear friend. Condolences to your spouse, children and grandchildren.
Sincerely
Tony Magri
Hollis Raphael (Weisman)
Jo Ann, whom I lost contact with decades ago, and I had a joint piano recital in our junior year. Our teacher was Esther Howe, beloved and long-gone also. I wonder if Jo Ann continued with her music, as I have done.
Hollis Raphael Weisman
Oren Kaplan
About her entrepreneurial initiative: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-story-of-emilys-edibl_b_888574
My sister-in-law Emily is a great baker. My sister-in-law Emily has severe epilepsy.
I am a certified adult nurse practitioner who can’t stand to see people suffer and always tries to figure out solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems.
Thirty-two years ago, when I met Emily, she would have grand mal seizures every 15 minutes for the two weeks preceding her menstrual period. We, not any physicians, recognized this pattern. I spoke to physicians I knew and most had no idea what to do. With prodding, a few were willing to listen.
Over time, a few regimens helped a bit, but the problem persisted and Emily could not drive, work or live on her own. As if this was not enough, in 2000, Emily was given two medications together, developed a rash which her doctor told her to ignore, and in one day she was completely orange. Emily’s liver was destroyed. Luckily, a donor liver was found. Emily must be on immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of her life. However, these drugs destroy the joints. Emily, now 52, has had two hip replacements; one knee replacement and is awaiting the second knee replacement in June. The second knee replacement had to be postponed because after the first knee, Emily began rejecting her liver. More drugs and time were needed to save the liver. She currently wears a brace and uses a walker. At last, the coast is clear for the second knee surgery. (The surgery went well (June, 2010) but she now suffers from sciatica pain and still needs the walker.)
By chance, while working as an English teacher (I also have a degree in English) I discovered other women were suffering from what is termed catamenial epilepsy, seizures caused by the menstrual cycle. Now, six years later, one teacher’s daughter has had to drop out of college because of her seizures. Her parents have gone everywhere and tried many things, but nothing has solved the problem.
I can’t say when the idea first came to me about starting Emily’s Edibles. I can tell you how it evolved. My first idea was Emily’s Edibles for Epilepsy. My family and I rejected this name because we did not want people to think they might get epilepsy from the pastries.
Time passed and Emily’s Edibles and Pastries With A Purpose were both trademarked. They are baked in a commercial bakery in New Jersey using Emily’s recipes. All ingredients are kosher. The idea behind the company is simple: instead of buying commercial pastries, why not purchase Emily’s Edibles? When purchasing Emily’s Edibles, one gets delicious, all natural pastries and contributes to building a research fund for the study of epilepsy in women. As the fund builds, I will advertise for those who wish to study epilepsy in women. I will have a professional review the grant proposals, and if the grant truly studies the effect of hormones on seizure activity in epileptic women, an Emily’s Edibles® grant will be awarded.
Emily can no longer benefit from this research since she is now menopausal. This research will prevent other women from suffering as Emily has suffered. Emily’s Edibles® honors Emily’s baking expertise; how she has survived all the traumas associated with her epilepsy (Emily had seizures from flashing lights, diesel fumes, paint, glue and smoke and still has seizures from low blood sugar and other unknown causes). Emily’s Edibles® honors Emily for her joyful approach to life. Rarely does she feel sorry for herself. She has the amazing ability to be happy with and for others. She currently lives in a group home sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation.
It is my hope that while Emily’s Edibles grants fund the study of epilepsy in women, other questions will also be answered. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the answers to these other questions could help Emily to finally live her life on her own and, perhaps, eliminate her epilepsy once and for all?
Oren Kaplan
On the eve of our 50 year reunion; fond memories of the way we knew you: