Joan Shepard Lustig

August 11th, 2022

A mutual friend just shared the news of Joan’s passing today—many years after her loss, although I know “loss” never has an expiration date.

I’m very sorry to learn this. I worked with Joan on numerous events and women’s fundraising activities while overseeing PR at Toledo Hospital many years ago. Her wit and warmth kept every encounter memorable!

My sincere condolences, Dr. Lustig, to you and Joan’s entire family. May her memories be fond and your lives forever enriched by her abiding spirit. Take care.

~Christine Wasserman
~Friend, TOLEDO

October 14th, 2014

When I was a college student at DePaul University, Joan hired me to help with the accounting at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. I vividly remember her warm personality and nice smile. She was always so kind to me and had so much trust in me. It was a time in my life when I greatly needed some work experience and encouragement to keep strong in my studies and she provided ample amounts of both. She was a wonderful person professionally and personally.

~Nancy Chapa Cabrera
~former employee, Chicago, Illinois

September 5th, 2014

Joan and I worked together when we started the first computerized donor registry in the Country. She was so helpful and always so kind. She was a member of the Secretary of States first Advisory Board. I was so sorry to see her leave NKFI. My sincere condolences to her family.

~Liz Hager
~Friend, Taylorville IL

September 3rd, 2014

So sorry to hear! Joan and worked together for NKF for many years. I have only fond memories of her, her smile and her sense of humor

Wendy

~Wendy Brown
~colleague at NKF, Chicago, IL

August 27th, 2014

Joan was one of the kindest and strong woman I worked for. She was a mentor and someone I looked up to. I am lucky to have worked for her and grateful she left her print in my life… She was looking forward to spending more time with her family, and she always spoke about them with a smile. All of them are in my thoughts and I hope they find peace and strength during this time….

~Laura Lagana
~Working, New York, NY

August 25th, 2014

The first time I met Joan when I interviewed for the NKF, I knew she was someone I wanted to work with. She was truly an inspiration and a truly good person. We immediately clicked. We had a lot in common and I respected her so very much. I know how much her family meant to her. She talked about all of you so fondly. My thoughts are with you.
Warmly
Patti Gold
.

~Patti Gold
~Boss/Friend, Columbus OH

August 25th, 2014

I am incredibly saddened by the news of Joan’s passing. My sincere condolences to everyone in her large family.

I had the good fortune of having Joan as my boss at the National Kidney Foundation for many years. It was because of Joan that our local chapter was able to access needed resources to grow and flourish. She was incredibly supportive, fair, insightful and a supreme non profit professional in every regard– and completely committed to the mission of the organization. She also had a great sense of humor and fun!

Over the years our bond crossed over into friendship based on mutual admiration and affection.

With deepest sympathy and good wishes,

Ingrid Montecino

~Ingrid Montecino
~colleague, friend, New York, NY

August 24th, 2014

Joan and I were friends, as well as colleagues for over 30 years with the National Kidney Foundation. She was among the most insightful, thoughtful and inspirational people that I have had the opportunity to work with and there are so many kidney patients who are better today due to her many efforts.

Joan was unique for she never saw a barrier that was too great nor a challenge she would shy away from; I along with many will miss her so much.

~Tony Englert
~Friend, Washington DC

August 23rd, 2014

I am so shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Joan. My deepest sympathy to Jim and the entire family. She was taken from the world much too soon. Joan was my colleague and mentor at the National Kidney Foundation for 17 years. She was respected and loved by everyone around her. She was a thoughtful, considerate, professional of the highest caliber who contributed so much to the growth and success of NKF nationally and in the Chicago area. Everyone who worked with her benefited from the experience. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Sincerely,
Barbara Hofstein Spiegel
Friend and Colleague

~Barbara Hofstein
~colleague, Redwood City

August 22nd, 2014

I have been a colleague of Joans’ since I began with the foundation 25 years ago!I always appreciated her graciousness, friendship and kindness to me as I began my work at the foundation. She was so knowledgeable in every area of the foundation’s work and always so dedicated to share and build each affiliate to it’s very best success. Her outgoing and happy personality will be greatly missed and her legacy of changing lives for the better through her commitment to the foundation goals will be always remembered. We hope that the many happy memories of Joan with you and your family and her outstanding legacy of kindness and goodness for the foundation will comfort you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Deen Vetterli and the staff of the National Kidney Foundation of Utah& Id

~deen vetterli
~colleague and friend, provo utah

August 22nd, 2014

To the Lustig family, I am so sorry to hear about Joan’s passing. Joan hired me at NKF, became a mentor, and a friend. I will never forget her or the many lessons she taught me about business and life. Countless lives have been made better by the work she did and that is part of her incredible legacy. Please know that so many friends at NKF are thinking about her and you.

~Krystn Kuckelman
~Friend, Philadelphia, PA