A Cardie who always made us smile with her wit and wisdom, the world lost a bright and happy light when JoAnn passed in the summer of 2021.
We first met JoAnn in January of that year, when she noted on a cardthartic.com order she placed, “It’s becoming more and more difficult to find truly meaningful cards. Grocery and drugstores still carry cards, but in a price range of $4.99 to $10.99. Plus they are huge and ugly.” Then she took a quick left turn, “So how is everyone’s sweetheart, Hannlis? Someday perhaps an opportunity will surface to explain the meaning/origin of her name? Warmly, JoAnn Dalziel”
Still giggling over “huge and ugly,” we decided it would be fun to surprise JoAnn with an up-close-and-personal answer to her Hannlis question, so we recorded and sent her a video of Cardie Oma Hannlis LIVE. The very next morning we heard back from one delighted and delightful Ms. Dalziel. “WOW! WOWIE,” she began. “What a super wonderful surprise to be visited by dear Hannlis on this dreary cold and sunless January day in Michigan.”
You might have to watch the video to really appreciate why she would write the following to Hannlis, but JoAnn went on to address our grand dame of Cardies directly. “Lady Hannah Elisabeth Emma,” she wrote, “you are a beautiful fashion runway example of style and grace. I suppose looking out on the ocean doesn’t hurt either. Your hair looks perfect in your fashionable bob and pert pixie bangs. I respond with no video nor photo,” JoAnn wrote and, in what we began to appreciate as her signature wit, explained, “for nearly a year now, I have dyed my own roots and cut my own hair. I am no stylist. My technique is clump and cut. I could scare a raccoon or make a baby cry. But I so appreciate your reply to my question, Hannlis, and on video to-boot!”
We couldn’t resist quoting that fun exchange in a Cardie Newsletter, and decided to make it a surprise for JoAnn. When that CNews hit her mailbox, she emailed straightaway, “I am so shocked that my husband is still trying to scrape me off the floor as I unsuccessfully try to explain the background to all this. Hard to believe but I am speechless. And, as usual, my hair sticking out all over like a porcupine!
“It is said that a star is never recognized in his/her own lifetime,” JoAnn teased, “but this is my proof that I am funny! Be assured that, if I get on Comedy Club, I will comp you front-row seats!”
We enjoyed this brief back and forth with JoAnn so much that we wanted to know more about this jovial woman. She told us how she believes her love of cards originated. “My mother was in charge of the card department in a Kresge dime store in a suburb of Detroit. At home, she kept her increasing stash of purchased cards on an old dresser in the spare room, and always had a card on hand for any reason, for any person, at any time.
“In the past few years, I’ve been desperately searching for cards with deeper and more meaningful messages,” JoAnn explained, “sans glued-on glitter or goofy images, and I found my way to Cardthartic. The condolence cards in particular spoke to me, as they are always a simple photo with a few simple words inviting the recipient to open and read a very simple — and gently powerful — message that seems to say it all.”
Every exchange with JoAnn was such a pleasure that we promised her, “When we host our first big Cardie Con, we’ll ask you to MC (porcupine hair and all)!” There is no doubt, this charming cardie will always live large in spirit! And in our hearts.
I am a very fortunate recipent of the wonderful cards sent by JoAnn Dalziel, a true “Cardie”. It is with a broken heart that I inform you of JoAnn’s passing on July 23, 2021 after short illness. She was a very thoughtful person who had an excellent sense of humor and compassion.
Carole Radzialowski