TRIBUTES TO JOLYNNE BUEHRING FROM MEMBERS OF THE DVWG

Our Diamond Valley Writer’s Guild friend, author, and former DVWG Board of Directors Treasurer, JoLynne Buehring, passed away in her sleep Sunday, July 10, 2022. A gentle, caring woman, she was calm on the surface with a powerful current running underneath and a clever way with words that left one laughing and sometimes crying.

She authored Oddballs and Other Folks, a delightful collection of short stories gleaned from her childhood in the Southwest and her years as a clinical social worker. Royalties from the sale of her book will go to the Diamond Valley Writer’s Guild. We thank JoLynne and her daughter for this generous gift. Oddballs is available on Amazon.

A valued member of the Straitjackets Magazine editorial team and a frequent contributor, her contributions and her friendship will be missed.  

JoLynne was a quiet woman who preferred to stay in the background, but many of us have become aware, now that she’s gone, what a significant impact she had on us, a strong presence that we are missing so very much. She didn’t speak often, but when she did, it was meaningful and often clever or funny with a storehouse of homespun expressions that bedazzled us when she used them. This is how I prefer to remember her.

JoLynne had two children, a son who passed away when he was a young boy and a daughter, Cyra Sadowl of Tuscon, AZ. –Ellyn Wolfe

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To say I was stunned by Jo’s passing is an understatement. I walked around for days in a stupor of thought. Sorrow fused with humor as I remembered the beginning of our friendship. When I first joined the editorial team, Jo and Ellyn were already friends. We met at Ellyn’s to edit the magazine. I always sat next to Jo—which now makes me chuckle because I was acutely aware of how my enthusiastic effervescence landed on her subtle, quiet nature. I tried to tone myself down for her sake. Slowly, she saw I was not a complete freak and our friendship grew.

When we transferred our meetings to online, something changed. Ellyn, Jo, and I became soul sisters. We liked our time together so much we began scheduling dinner chats every three weeks. We questioned, inspired, explained, probed, and shared things together we would normally never share, becoming deep, genuine friends. We embraced our inner frailties and became life-empowering together. As different as we were, the three of us were conjoined. We needed each other and elevated one another. 

Surprisingly and without judgment, Jo accepted the ridiculous and flamboyant predicaments I had gotten myself into in my younger days. She encouraged me to write them down—they are all embarrassing, so I doubted I would have the courage without her prodding. Her original stoicism betrayed her love of oddballs and had me fooled in the beginning. 

When Jo passed, Ellyn and I didn’t know how we would go on. Our three styles had shaped the perfect tripod. Now one leg had been knocked out from under us. We had lost one-third of our combined being. We were lost. We knew no one could fill her shoes.

I love Jo. I believe our friend is alive and well on the other side, keeping a close eye on Ellyn and me. –Cheryl McGuire

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I so appreciated JoLynne's gentle, kind presence.  She was a very wise woman with a great sense of humor.  I feel very blessed I had the opportunity to know her. –Dixie Ayala

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I wish there were words to describe JO, who brought a ray of sunshine wherever she went. She will be missed. –MJ Kruty

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For readers of Straitjackets Magazine, JoLynne Buehring's short pieces offer an eclectic
blend of characters to enjoy and contemplate. She was not only a superb editor, but also an entertaining writer. She, like her characters, was an oddball, yet, her stern look couldn't
hide the depth of her own character that comes out in her writing. Stories submitted to Straitjackets, and her fellow editors, benefited from that last touch before publication. The edits
were gentle and deserved, with changes to words and phrases that she seemed to understand
and grasp so easily. I'm happy she was able to see her own book in print, before her passing. –Greg B. Porterfield

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JoLynne and I would arrive about a half-hour early for the Guild's monthly Saturday meetings at the library. We both wanted to make sure to get handicap parking spaces. Usually our cars were parked side-by-side, JoLynne in her red Saturn and me in my red Equinox. We'd roll down the windows and chat. Our first conversation was about her Saturn. I once owned one and thought it was a great vehicle. So did she. General Motors discontinued making the Saturn. It became a rare sight to see one. But JoLynne remained loyal to hers and took good care of it. My Equinox was covered with dust. Her Saturn sparkled. JoLynne valued the good things in her life. I admired what I thought was her defining trait: loyalty. She was an insightful writer. I will miss her. –Howard Feigenbaum

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I am so sad to read this post. JoLynne was a sensitive and gentle soul. I felt secure in her presence. Thank you for letting me know. –Judie Maré

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I was so very saddened to hear of JoLynne's passing. She was such a sweet woman! Sending hugs to all. –Melissa Eiselein

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I’m so sorry. She was a sweetheart. –Daniel Kuttner

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Sorry to hear the news. Jo’s Oddball and Other Folks was fun to read and her critiques, invaluable. She will be missed. –Jeri Greene

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I’m so sorry to hear this. I didn’t know her well at all, but in my early years as a DVWG member, I do remember her wicked sense of humor. I’m sure she will be missed. My condolences. –Bev Siddons

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Condolences to her friends and to her daughter. –Brenda Hill

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I am so sorry for your loss. Please extend my condolences to her friends and family. –Janet Feldman  

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My heartfelt and deepest condolences. I am so sorry for your loss. –Lorna James

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I do not know JoLynne but now I am terribly sad. What a beautiful woman. I’m sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was amazingly gifted. I believe the greatest legacy we leave for our families is our words. I will be praying for comfort for her family. –Kristen Bessette