Oh, sad to hear of Joelle’s passing. Joelle and I shared a room at several OSonOS gatherings (before it was WOSonOS). In 2001, we were part of a 6-woman delegation who went to Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union to introduce leadership skills to women who had started NGOs to handle social needs left by the government’s collapse. Of course, we opened space there. It was amazing to see the change in the women. They went from standing and pontificating in the opening circle with everyone else talking to those next to them to listening to each other in quiet, intimate conversations during the breakouts. That shift remained with them for the rest of the time together. And hopefully beyond. I think Marina Tyasto, one of the people who made the trip happen and who acted as a translator, is still on this list. Perhaps Elena Marchuk, another of our Russian partners is as well.
As Michael said, Joelle was curious, generous with her time and expertise, and a powerful spirit. Here is a picture of Joelle from our Russia trip. May her spirit be free, Peggy ________________________________ Peggy Holman Co-founder Journalism That Matters Bellevue, WA 98006 206-948-0432 www.journalismthatmatters.org <http://www.journalismthatmatters.org/> www.peggyholman.com Twitter: @peggyholman JTM Twitter: @JTMStream Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity <http://www.engagingemergence.com/> > On Jul 14, 2022, at 6:08 AM, Rijon Erickson <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > > Such a beautiful and evocative poem. I’m sure Joelle will be missed. May her > memory be a blessing. > > On Wed, Jul 13, 2022 at 10:38 PM Michael Herman <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > Sad news out of Shelton, Washington, from Joelle's husband Paul. > > For those who didn't know her, Joelle was one of the rocks in the foundation > of Open Space in the world and certainly my own OS practice. A mischievous > curiosity, quiet generosity and powerful spirit. I'm otherwise out of words > at the moment, but passing this on for the others here who will want this > news and might add some more about Joelle. > > See also, below Paul's message, one of Joelle's poems that resonated on the > OSlist years ago, 2003 (not one second out of date today!), found when I > searched the archives for "joelle poem" (what else?!). > > Michael > > ---- > > To our family, friends and acquaintances--- > On July 6, 2022 at 1:10 AM, while I am holding her hand, my wife of 60 years > died (Parkinson's disease and dementia). There is a new star in the > firmament. Joelle Lyons Everett graduated high school 4.0, Valedictorian and > won a National Merit Scholarship. Fortunately for me, she chose the > University of Washington where we met. We married August 26, 1961. We were > blessed with four sons, Aaron, Hugh, John and David, 8 grandchildren and two > great grandchildren. > > We have had a strong and interesting life together. Several foreign > adventures as well as exploring the United States and Canada. Two particular > activities/interests helped glue us together when the inevitable bumps in the > road occurred. The first "glue" were two academic years of evening classes > at Seattle U, a Jesuit University. We studied why we think as we do (our > philosophies-led by Fr. Toulouse) and the psychology of the being human (led > by Ed Maher). We read and discussed many books. It was a two-hour drive one > way from Shelton, WA to Seattle, WA and back. Deep discussions coming and > going. > > The second "glue" was the Creative Problem Solving Institute that usually met > in Buffalo, NY. A June week of learning and leadership that sometimes > included one or more of our children. We both taught Springboard and > Extending sessions as well as attending many sessions of interest by strong > thinkers and doers. More deep discussions. > > So, for the next several months, maybe a year, I will be involved in > re-orienting my life. I do have help from Sons and others. I am writing > this in the hope that many friends and acquaintances will see it and pass it > on to those whom they know would want to know of Joelle's passing. > > Many blessings, > > J. Paul Everett; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > > ---- > > > I'm breathing the smoke > > of gunshots, mortars, missiles, > > and oil wells burning. > > I'm stirring in the night, > > hearing children crying > and mothers keening. > > The soft spring breeze > > has the grit of desert sandstorm. > > The night sky is torn by explosives, > > cut by the arc of a missile. > > There's no place far enough > > to put my heart at ease. > > > Can I buy another chance? > > > I want to refuse to take sides. > > I want to imagine a world > > more spacious and more intimate. > > I want the courage to buy > > homes and meals and schoolbooks > > instead of guns and tanks > . > > I want to be peace, wild and fierce and sweet. > April, 2003 > > Joelle Lyons Everett > > > -- > > Michael Herman > Michael Herman Associates > 312-280-7838 (mobile) > > MichaelHerman.com <http://michaelherman.com/> > OpenSpaceWorld.org <http://openspaceworld.org/> > > > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list -- [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]> > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list -- [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>
_______________________________________________ OSList mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected]
