Obituary of Joan Lessing Sattler Millson

Full Name: Joan Lessing Sattler Millson; also known as Joanie. Joanie recently became 77 years old; November 26, 2021 and passed away November 30, 2021. Joanie was born in Los Angeles, CA on November 26, 1944; She lived in Hemet, CA, Riverside, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and moved to Hollister, CA in 1969 to her new home and where she lived until her untimely demise. Joanie is survived by her husband, Dr. Murray R. Millson; her son, Gregory Lessing Garrett, her son, Robert Lessing Garrett; her daughter, Laura Joan Garrett, and her step-son, Murray Edwin Millson. Joanie was born to Dr. Lessing Robert Sattler, an Orthodontist to the Hollywood stars and part time entrepreneur and farmer, and his wife Ruth Isabel (Chamberlain) Sattler of Los Angeles, CA. Joanie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences at San Jose State University, 1970; Completed all graduate coursework in a Health Administration Master of Arts program, San Jose State University in 1973; Major Graduate Subjects were: Health Science, Gerontology, and Enology. Attended University of California (Santa Cruz and Berkley) where she took 45 quarter units while studying in certificate programs in Human Services, Mental Retardation, Fundraising, Public Relations, and Substance Abuse. Academic Honor Societies: History: Phi Alpha Theta Psychology: Psi Chi Sociology: Alpha Kapp Delta Joanie’s life’s work encompassed several impressive titles that include Executive Director, Executive Board Member, Manager, Marketing Strategist, Consultant, Sales person, among others. The organizations that she supported in these roles include Jovenes de Antanio, Immaculate Conception Church, Hazel Hawkins Hospital, Lion(ess)’s Club, San Benito County Red Cross, San Benito Foundation, San Benito Interfaith, San Benito United Way, Barrios Unidos, Casa de Fruta, Civilian Personnel Office at Fort Ord, CA, Gilroy Healthcare (Marketing Director), That’s Entertainment (Video Sales Management), Willow Glen Villa (Retirement Complex, Assistant Activity Director), as well as the “driving” Partner in our Partnership, Millson, Sattler and Associates. Joanie was also listed as a noteworthy Consultant in Marquis Who's Who for several years. Joanie and I, (Murray R. Millson) married on October 13, 2007 in a quiet, loving ceremony in the rose garden in Dunne Park, Hollister, CA with God, Ruth and Ron Erickson, and Lupe Maldonado, who presided, in attendance. Our second marriage was performed by Father Rudy on the evening of December 14, 2007 in the Sacred Heart Pastoral Office’s second-floor Chapel on Cottage Street in Hollister, CA. Joan is a devout Roman Catholic and we really did not want to move forward together without a Roman Catholic church wedding. Joanie was very attentive and insightful, and loved to study almost any subject as long as it involved people and how she might assist them. We had an opportunity to travel together a few times when I taught or attended conferences overseas. We had three very special and wonderful opportunities to travel together and those travels were to Helsinki, Finland where I taught, to Surfers’ Paradise in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia where I taught, and to an academic conference in Pisa, Italy. During our Italy trip, we very fortunate to also visit Rome, Italy and the Vatican. We took many photographs while on these trips. Upon her return to Hollister, Joanie used her artistic talents in conjunction with the Country Rose Gallery, then in Hollister, to enlarge to living room display size, photographs that were then situated in the front windows of the gallery so that all who passed by could view what she had the opportunity to view and visit in person. Joanie was always trying to share whatever she had with others. Memorial services/visitation will be held at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA 95023; December 12, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 5pm; there will also be a mass at Immaculate Conception Church, 7290 Airline Hwy., Tres Pinos, CA 95075 on December 13, 2021 at 11am. For those of you who would like to make donations in Joanie’s name, please make such donations to Jovenes de Antanio, 300 West Street, Hollister, CA 95023. Eulogy I am Murray Millson, Joan L. Sattler’s husband, and so very proud of it. I know her much better as Joanie so I will call her that in my eulogy. I want to thank everyone for being here today and for your friendship that you have shared with Joanie for the time that you have known her. Today, I want to provide for you, in brief, or as brief as I can, a glimpse into the varied and magnificent life of my wife, my best friend, and the most “giving” person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. First, a bit about her roots. Joanie’s Early Life: Joanie was born in Los Angeles, CA on November 26, 1944 to Dr. Lessing Robert Sattler, an Orthodontist to the Hollywood stars and part time entrepreneur and farmer, and his wife Ruth Isabel (Chamberlain) Sattler. Joanie spent much of her early years living in Hemet, CA and Riverside, CA in addition to Los Angles, CA. Joanie was fortunate to have such an intelligent and multi-faceted father since he constantly instructed her in music, along with a variety of other areas that widened and deepened her appreciation and understanding of the world that she was entering. For example, Joanie learned firsthand about and became interested in Civil Rights, social justice, and aiding those who had less than her as provided by her father who owned a considerable amount of land, and employed and cared for many full and part time workers. Joanie often spoke of the interest and compassion that her father had for the workers whom he employed. As time progressed, Joanie would participate in several activities such as those that involved Cesar Chavez and other activists of the day. I have had the opportunity to support Joanie and to walk with her on the grounds of Cesar Chavez’s home in La Paz in addition to many other projects that she supported. Education: Joanie’s education progressed in a similar direction as her early learning that was provided by her father. Joanie graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School. Joanie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences at San Jose State University, 1970; Joanie completed all graduate coursework in a Health Administration Master of Arts program, San Jose State University in 1974 and attended the University of California (Santa Cruz and Berkley) where she took 45 quarter units while studying in certificate programs in Human Services, Mental Retardation, Fundraising, Public Relations, and Substance Abuse. All of this magnificent education provided the stepping off point for her life’s work as she made Hollister, CA her home. Occupational Interests and Achievements: Joanie’s occupational titles are several, impressive, and include Executive Director, Executive Board Member, Manager, Marketing Strategist, Consultant, Sales person, among others. The organizations that she supported in these roles include Jovenes de Antanio, Immaculate Conception Church, Hazel Hawkins Hospital, San Benito County Red Cross, San Benito Foundation, San Benito Interfaith, San Benito United Way, Barrios Unidos, Casa de Fruta, Civilian Personnel Office at Fort Ord, California, as well as the driving Partner in our Partnership, Millson, Sattler and Associates, and she is listed as a noteworthy Consultant in Marquis Who's Who. Joanie performed excellently in all of these roles that are associated with the noted organizations from the time of her completion of her academic work at San Jose State University through the present time. Our story: For Joanie and me, our first marriage, was a business partnership in 1994. I guess that means, at least in our minds, we have been married for 27 years for all practical purposes. The partnership agreement that I developed was so compete and detailed that Joanie always was certain that it meant we were married. This development occurred shortly after we met through a very good friend of Joanie’s who was an insurance broker in Hollister with whom I was looking to secure auto insurance. Additionally, I mentioned to the insurance agent that I needed employment as well. [I was terribly needy at the point in time.] The insurance agent noted that Joanie worked in the Fort Ord Civilian Personnel Office and might be able to assist me with my employment question. Joanie, of course, not wanting to be forward, requested that I provide my resume via her mail box at her home in Ridgemark. I provided it as requested. She received it, smelled it, realized that I was a smoker, and told me to stop which I, of course, quit smoking immediately as she requested. This “mail box” meeting process started us on our journey in which I got the Fort Ord position, we dated, and we started a consulting company, Millson, Sattler and Associates, that continues to exist today. What a wonderful, beautiful, brilliant, driven partner! Our Second and Third Marriages: Our second marriage was for the public record and took place on October 13, 2007 during which Lupe Maldonado presided in the rose garden in Dunne Park, Hollister, CA with Ruth and Ron Erickson and God in attendance. At this time, Lupe provided us with a wonderful metaphor for our lives that guided us from that time forward. Lupe’s guidance suggested that in an exceptionally amazing way that “we are wonderful and loving opponents, who look at every potential side of every situation, question, and issue”. There may have been some yelling and screaming associated with this model of decision making but our LOVE always overcame it all and provided us with solutions for all of the situations that we have ever confronted. Our third marriage was performed by Father Rudy on the evening of December 14, 2007 in the Sacred Heart Pastoral Office’s second-floor Chapel on Cottage Street in Hollister, CA. Joan is a devout Roman Catholic and we really did not want to move forward together without a Roman Catholic church wedding. It was a wonderful occasion at which we had several friends in attendance and a dinner at Paine’s Restaurant to top off the evening. Joanie is very watchful and insightful, and loved to study almost any subject as long as it involved people and how she might assist them. When I traveled to international conferences to which she did not attend, she tracked me on the internet and she wrote about my trips and shared these travels with a wide variety of others via BenitoLink and other outlets. Even while I have been attempting to keep my online, university courses going recently during these trying times, I felt very proud that Joan would often comment to me as well as others with whom she was communicating that she enjoyed listening to my online class lectures so that she might incorporate some of those thoughts in her efforts to assist others. We were also fortunate to be able to travel together when I taught or attended conferences overseas. We had three wonderfully memorable opportunities to travel to Helsinki, Finland where I taught, to Surfers’ Paradise in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, and to an academic conference in Pisa, Italy. During our Italy trip, we very fortunate to also tour Rome, Italy and the Vatican. We took many photographs while on these trips. Joanie used her artistic talents in conjunction with the Country Rose Gallery, then in Hollister, to enlarge for living room display size, photographs that were then situated in the front windows of the gallery so that all who passed by could view what she had the opportunity to view in person. Joanie continued to share whatever she had with others. OUR CLOSING IN THIS LIFE: A final thought, and the most sad thought for me is that Joanie did not want to die. She loved life so much and had so much more to give. Joanie had wonderful times in life but she definitely had many challenges. Unfortunately, many of those challenges had to do with health issues. I have counted at least 8 major medical challenges which Joanie confronted during our time together that Joanie had that involved significant medical trials, hardships, and challenges. The ninth and most recent challenge that Joanie had is known as Septic Shock which is quite horrible. It appears that Joanie’s 9 lives had run out. What is not something that is often attributed to a woman, or even fewer times to a rather petite woman, as a major trait, is that she is the toughest, most resilient human I will ever know. In closing, I have three quotes to offer and would like to suggest how they pertain to Joanie and me. FIRST CALLED “MIRACLES”: Albert Einstein noted, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” We chose the latter. The meaning and my memories pertaining to this quote are that every day with Joanie became the many miracles of working and providing for others under her careful direction and watchful guidance. SECOND CALLED “TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON”: As noted in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. The meaning and my memories pertaining to this quote are that possibly more than anything Joanie loved to play the piano and organ, loved to dance, and was excellent at performing both of these activities in addition to her career roles. Now she will be able to play the piano and organ for God and dance once again every day. Finally, source unknown, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is GOD’S gift, that’s why we call it the present.” “DO IT TODAY and rejoice in it.” My mom’s good, family friend, MARIE, RN. Based on what I have presented today, I would like everyone to leave here with three thoughts and memories of JOAN LESSING SATTLER MILLSON and those are she was the most INTELLIGENT, BEAUTIFUL, GIVING, AND RESILIENT PERSON that I have ever known. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My mother, Joan Lessing Sattler Millson, was named by her mother after Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc is considered a heroine of France for her role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years’ War, and was canonized finally as Saint Joan of Arc. In my grandmother’s eyes, my mother was born to be a warrior for The Catholic Faith, and in many ways, her name was aptly chosen. Since I was a child, my mother’s singular message to me has been the need for me to understand that I have imperfections which I need to struggle to overcome through diligence and conscientious work, and yet, she also imbued in me the idea that I cannot ever fully achieve any pure perfection in anything, and that there was always something more that I could do to improve. Subsequently, my life became a testament to her teachings, and I sought mastery in academics, the fine arts, as well as in athletics, in a never ending progression of learning and growth. Nevertheless, the deeper lesson that she was teaching, all along, which was at the epicenter of her existence, was the Christian message of the limitations of human ability in the face of the perfection of The Lord. This was the most difficult lesson she taught me…that no matter what I or anybody else did, it would never be enough or perfect….there was always more room for growth. Subsequently, her standard was so incredibly high, especially in academics, athletics, and the fine arts, that often people would be mystified by her motivation. And so, some background information helps to elucidate why her standard was so high. You see, Joan had accomplished more than most women could ever dream of accomplishing, having achieved, in the course of her life, an undergrad degree from San Jose State University, with master courses at San Jose State, and several certificates from the universities of Stanford, Berkley, and Santa Cruz, having been a professional dancer, and professional pianist, a model, a professional Grant Writer, President of The San Benito PTA, President of The San Benito Lioness Club, Founder of The Loma Prieta Earthquake Fund to help those who suffered The Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, mother of three children, voted one of the top 2000 Women in The United States by Who’s Who In America for Women, instrumental in Catechistic education and training at Sacred Heart Church in Hollister, Chief Publisher for all the educational and administrative material for Hazel Hawkins Hospital for the past 10 years, and the publisher of Saint Benedict’s Roman Missal and The Liturgy of the Eucharist Pamphlet here in Hollister for many years. Chances are, if you walked into Saint Benedict’s Church, here in Hollister, in the last 10 years, you were handed her writing as you entered and found your seat. But, in spite of all her achievements, her lesson to everyone stood firm: “There is always more you can do”. And so, what was her motivation? Was it perfection…or something far more profound? She knew she would never attain perfection in anything, and yet she sought it. Why? This seems paradoxical, and hence, this is why many were mystified by her particular “grace under pressure”. I remember her last 20 years, fighting Lupus with all here might, and doubled over in pain so badly at times that she could barely move, and yet she would climb up to the computer in the kitchen and work on The Catholic Mass flyer and Grant Writing Projects to get money for new equipment at Hazel Hawkin’s Hospital. And this was all philanthropic work. She was paid nothing to do it. But why did she do it? Was she trying to redeem herself before The Lord? Was she trying to earn some divine praise? Why was she motivated to sacrifice even her very life in the end, from the long hours of writing literature until all hours of night for The Catholic Church, when she should have been resting from the ravages of Lupus upon her? And why would she literally sacrifice her last year of life to make sure others found Christ? She could barely walk or breath, and yet she still sat at the computer, in complete agony and pain, creating flyers for The Catholic Mass. How are we to understand such sacrifice? Well, in order to comprehend such sacrifice, first we must understand that Joan was raised by Catholic nuns in a Catholic High School in Hemet City in the San Jacinto Valley in Riverside County, California. Every morning she woke up at 5 am, and prepared to play organ for the Catholic Mass at her school. Her every waking breath was filled with the worship of Christ. She even named me after Pope Gregory The First. This was yet another reflection of her devotion to The Faith. Now, flash forward to the end of Joan’s life. All that she had done, all that she had thought, all that she had felt, all that she had given was for The Lord. And the summation of all that devotion completely filled her with sacrifice for The Lord in her last years, as she devoted every waking breath to helping others find The Lord. This is how we are to understand her sacrifice for The Christian Faith. It was no longer Joan doing the work. It was The Lord working through Joan. She had decreased so that The Lord could increase. And, her sacrifice was incidental in light of her Glorification and Magnification of The Lord. And so, the ultimate message that Joan conveyed was a very clear message. And that message is this: There is no greater thing you can do than to sacrifice everything for the Glory of The Lord, and to lead others to do the same. Mortal life is transitory, ephemeral, a fleeting image dancing upon the wall, but life through the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, is Eternal. The lesson that Joan communicated to all in her death was that Eternal Life is not an inherent and intrinsic attribute of human existence, but rather, it is a unique gift from God, based upon the Resurrection of Christ, and she viewed it as a unique event through which death was conquered, once and for all, permitting Christians to experience Eternal Life. This is how she lived her life and this is how she should be remembered. No mortal overcomes death through any work of their own. And this fact became very real to Joan as she felt her last years of life drain from her mortal body. But, fortuitously, she was taught from childhood that the Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ are seen as demonstrating God’s Grace, which in turn, creates the opportunity for Salvation and Eternal Life. This was her Faith. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is itself a gift, given from God to humanity. It fulfils God’s promise of Salvation by showing that Death can be defeated. Today, I think that we can all agree that Joan defeated death through her lifelong dedication and faith in Christ. She passes on, but she did not die. And, all that she was lives on in all the souls that she has touched. Joan’s life was an example of how, though humanity has strayed from God and does not necessarily deserve Salvation, there is Redemption and Salvation through The Lord’s love for humanity to provide this spiritual concession through the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. Joan knew she was not perfect, and she knew in spite of all her efforts, and few have strived for more perfection or achieved more than she, that she could never attain perfection or Eternal Life based solely upon the summation of her efforts. She needed The Lord until her last dying breath. 1st Corinthians 15:55-57, it says: "O death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." And that lesson is: All Glory Be To The Lord. And there is no life but through Jesus Christ. To any who boast tomorrow's gain, what is your mortal life? Like Joan's life, it is a mist that vanishes at dawn, but in her humble submission and obedience to Christ, and love of others, she sought Life Eternal. If she felt humble and inadequate before The Lord, how much more should we? I have a composed and recorded a short composition in honor of my mother, entitled, "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the Highest") I would ask that all stand, raise their heads, and look up to Heaven in prayer during this short musical composition in memory of the nobility, courage, grace, love, beauty, intelligence, and sacrifice that Joan exhibited to the world, and her ultimate ascension to The Lord. In Christ, Gregory L. Garrett