by Bridget Bauza '08
Joan Gaeta, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2004. During her treatment, although faced with feelings of resentment and disbelief, Joan remained optimistic and hopeful. Her optimism and hopefulness ran out, however, when she was told that the cancer had spread to her brain and was, thus, inoperable. In May 2007 Joan entered hospice care where she would spend the remaining months of her life. On July 17, 2007, surrounded by friends and family, Joan lost her battle with cancer. These are facts, but what lies beyond these facts is a story of love and hope and at the center of this story lies St. Bonaventure University.
For Richard J. Gaeta, a member of the St. Bonaventure class of 1960, the University will always hold a special place in his heart. It was here that he met his roommate and friend Dr. Don Lanese whom he still speaks to once a month, and it was here that priceless memories were created. Memories of long discussions of the world and religion with Fr. Gervase White, O.F.M., the prefect on his floor in Falconio Hall, and of an unstoppable basketball team that never failed to be among the top 15 teams in the country.
More than this, however, Richard Gaeta will remember St. Bonaventure as the place where his love for his late wife, Joan {maiden name} Gaeta, was truly ignited. High school sweethearts, Richard and Joan made the difficult decision to carry on a long distance relationship throughout college, as Joan decided not to attend St. Bonaventure, opting for Bates College in Maine instead. Throughout their four years apart, Joan made frequent visits to Richard at St. Bonaventure, accompanying him to such events as his junior prom, which he says was especially fun for Joan since one of her passions in life was dancing. These events caused Joan to develop a fondness and love for the University that almost equaled Richard’s, and as their mutual love for what would become a sacred place grew, so did their love for each other. In 1960, the same year of their college graduations, the love that flourished at St. Bonaventure became a marriage that would produce five children and 13 grandchildren.
Throughout her life Joan would devote much of her time volunteering. She spent time tutoring pregnant teenagers at the Nazareth House, distributing clothes and food with St. Joseph’s community outreach program, and even teaching English and basic monetary skills to a Laotian immigrant family. Despite her busy schedule, Joan continued to regard herself as the caretaker of her family. She was passionate about putting others before herself and thrived on being part of a large family. Inevitably, however, her children and grandchildren became adults, needing less and less of her care, so Joan reluctantly turned her attention elsewhere.
At age 63, Joan picked up a paintbrush for the first time in her life, and discovered not only a new passion but also an incomparable talent. This new passion and talent for painting 
would prove especially useful as Joan reached for a pamphlet at one of Richard’s class reunions. Inspired, Joan created a watercolor painting based on the picture of the St. Bonaventure bell tower that she had seen on the pamphlet. This same painting would later be bought by Sr. Margret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., president of St. Bonaventure University, at a fundraising auction for Mt. Irenaeus.
Sr. Margaret came to like the painting so much that she asked the family for permission to use it as her personal stationery. This simple request set in motion an idea that would both honor Joan as well as keep her memory alive within the St. Bonaventure community.
Sr. Margret’s interest in a special painting, painted by an extraordinary woman, as well as a family’s passion and persistence helped to allow Joan’s watercolor painting of the St. Bonaventure bell tower to be distributed on note cards. The note cards are for sale in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts and the University Bookstore. The proceeds from these note cards will be used to benefit the Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Foundation, established by the Gaeta family as a way to honor her indomitable spirit. The money that is raised for this foundation will be put toward cancer research, a cause that Joan was passionate about since so many people, including her, are diagnosed with cancer while leading healthy and addiction-free lives.
The University has a special ability to leave its alumni with feelings of strength and passion that very few people possess. Although not a St. Bonaventure alum, Joan Gaeta, through her kindness, generosity and perseverance, was able to embody the spirit of St. Bonaventure.
Bridget Bauza is a senior English major from Buffalo, N.Y., who hopes to one day make her living as a writer.