The lake was always our home away from home, the peaceful place to escape life for awhile, a place where Aunt Joan’s door was always open. A place where so many childhood memories were added to the photo album, the best being the one of me sitting next to that old little fisherman on the wall. Whether it was just a short day time visit or a weekend on air mattresses in the basement, Aunt Joan always joyfully welcomed us with a smile on her face. I can still hear the “come on in!” through the screen door. She was always so eager to fill us with whatever ice cream she could find in the freezer, which was always a treat after our long-awaited endeavors taking the gator up to the gulley. And even more often was the sitting in the basement in front of the cases of empty beer cans, systematically emptying each case, twisting off every single soda tab, and restacking the cans, just to bring the little tabs to school for class collections. Aunt Joan was always so excited to share her extra box tops and soda tabs that she’d saved in the little bowl by the basement stairs. It was just one of those little things you could always count on. Just like Aunt Joan, who was always there and always beyond happy to have us.

From as far back as I can remember, I have been visiting Keuka Lake with my family. And I know it was even before I can remember, also. My earliest memories started with camping at the state park, but always included the visit to Aunt Joan and Uncle Lee’s house. That house was a landmark of fun for me. The memories are truly endless. Hiking up the gully by the big red barn, driving the gator around (once we were old enough), watching all of the men use the slingshot off the porch (then one day finally trying it myself), exploring the swamp and woods, swimming out to the floating raft, looking at the pictures on the boards in the basement, visiting with my family that lived far away, campfires and lastly, but most special, the visits with Aunt Joan and Uncle Lee. We would be there for hours upon hours, sometimes even spending overnights. They were the center of all the fun I had at the lake. Aunt Joan always had great food ready for us, fun stories, and endless plastic bags to collect the tabs off of Uncle Lee’s empty beer cans (me and Abby did this for years). That house and the people inside of it hold some of the best memories I have of Keuka Lake, my second home. We say that Keuka is one of the most special places on Earth, and Aunt Joan and Uncle Lee will always be a part of that special place and my favorite memories. Aunt Joan was a ray of sunshine, and she will be missed dearly.

A lifetime of wonderful memories at the “Lake”, with Aunt Joan, Uncle Lee and the boys. Over the years Aunt Joan continued to make us feel welcome on our Lake visits, with my children, Gail, our nieces and nephews, and friends. I will miss the dinners Aunt Joan and I enjoyed during the off season the last four years, catching up and keeping company on a cold winters night at the lake. Rest in Peace.

Alan

From the very first trip I made to the Lake with Alan, I knew I found my peace. And from that day and the 25+ years following, I was welcomed as part of the family by Uncle Lee and Aunt Joan. I developed a close connection to Aunt Joan and grew even closer in the last few years since we were more regular visitors to the lake. What I remember best was our one-on-one time, when we'd sit and talk, maybe sip some wine, and just let the conversation wander...from recipes to kids to church to the latest news on the lake. I miss her already. But Faith gives me comfort in knowing that she is resting peacefully; that she has rejoined the love of her life; and that one day, we will all be together again.