Joan Munkacsi Rest in Peace

Christmas morning I logged into an ebay charm bracelet discussion group that I belong to and read the heartbreaking news that the founder of the group had passed away on Christmas eve.  Her name was Joan Munkacsi.  She had fought a long painful battle with cancer, which finally claimed her life. I knew that she wasn't doing well as she had gone through many treatments and the cancer kept reappearing, but I never really thought she would not be back to the group.  The news left me with an empty and hollow feeling.  Throughout the day I kept thinking of how devastated her family must be, and about mortality in general and how fragile life is.

I first became aware of Joan when I bought the book "Charms and Charm Bracelets" written by Joanne Schwartz, of which she was the technical adviser.  Joan had a vast wealth of knowledge about vintage charms and owned an extensive collection.  Many of the photographs in the book are of Joan's charms.  At that point I had been collecting for about a year, was just starting my ebay business, and this book was THE authoratative guide for identifying types and periods of charms.

Then one day I found an ebay group called Vintage Charms & Charm Bracelets and requested to become a member.  I was delighted and a bit star struck to find that Joan was the founder and principal moderator of the group.  When I was admitted I started reading every thing I could in the threads and it all made my passion for collecting stronger.  There was so much to be learned from her.

Joan also authored a web site packed with volumes of information called "A Charmed Existence".  I was insightful enough to print many of the pages from the site for reference, as the hosting was not renewed once Joan began her cancer treatments and the site was taken down.  I'm so grateful to have those pages now.

I wasn't a member of the group very long before Joan found out she had cancer, but during that time she was very active in the discussion threads, and she responded to all of my questions and comments personally.  She was a kind and dedicated person and seemed to be such an expert on all things charmed.  I feel honored to have known Joan for even a short time.  I also know that the world has lost someone special with her passing.  Yesterday all of the group members wore their favorite bracelets and jingled them towards heaven in honor of Joan Munkacsi.   The ebay group name has also been changed to "Joan's Vintage Charms and Charm Bracelets".  Joan, you will be dearly missed.

Summary

Article Name

Joan Munkacsi Rest in Peace

Description

The vintage jewelry community has lost a great resource and friend with the passing of Joan.

Author

Fitzcharming

Tags: Joan Munkacsi

Category: All About Old Jewelry