Beyond the South End

She Entered Laughing and Left us Laughing

From Hollywood Reporter

September 7, 2014—Temple Emanu-El, New York City

 

Today we buried a great comedienne, a greater friend, and an even greater humanitarian. They stood in line at the door to Temple Emanu-El in New York City to be checked off a long list of those who wished to pay their last respects to their friend and co-worker in many cases.

They came from Hollywood; from the theater; from the fashion world; from the world of stand-ups and TV talk shows. The paparazzi were out in force. It was the way Joan wanted it. She said, “I want an affair with lights, cameras, action and Hollywood all the way.”

In her long career she touched many lives and the people she encountered and became friends with were all there, from the young to the old. Howard Stern gave the eulogy; reminisces and tributes were given by Deborah Norville, close friend Margie Stern, Columnist Cindy Adams and Joan’s daughter, Melissa.

The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus sang Broadway hits and Audra McDonald sang “Smile.” Bagpipers from the New York City Police Department played on the streets.

Everyone came to say goodbye including Bernadette Peters, Tommy Tune, Clive Davis, designers Carolina Herrera and Michael Kors; Barbara Walters, Geraldo Rivera, Diane Sawyer, Kathie Lee, Hoda Kotb, Kathy Griffin, Andy Cohen, Paul Shaffer, Donald Trump and Steve Forbes.

Joan was an example of how any woman can pull herself up by her bootstraps and start over, reinvent themselves. She reinvented herself several times in her career from stand-up comedienne; to late night talk show host; to a QVC dynamo; to doing Red Carpet commentary with her daughter, Melissa, to doing a show on fashion; and finally back to her stage show again in Vegas. She was also on stage, in film and a TV actress. She was never down for long and she was working full tilt at 81 till the day she died in August.

She also found time in her busy schedule to remember those who were less fortunate than she was. In lieu of flowers her friends were asked to make donations to her favorite charities—God’s Love, We Deliver, (which she was very much involved in--even delivering food at times); Guide Dogs for the Blind; or Our House.

Joan’s biggest fear was to own a blank appointment calendar. All the pages will be blank now-- except in heaven--which she probably entered laughing. Rest in Peace, dear Joan.