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Joanna Le Van Noble died peacefully at Hospice in Branford on Nov. 26 on her 74th birthday, after a long battle with lupus and MDS (blood cancer), and other associated illnesses.

Joanna graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 1969 with a double major in history of art and English. She lived and worked in Washington D.C. and Brussels, Belgium, before returning to New Haven to join Yale University in an administrative capacity to the associate secretary of the university. After several years at Yale, she contracted lupus and retired her full-time position to focus on her health.

While recovering and working part time at home, she continued writing and publishing poetry and short stories. Her signature publication was Embracing the Wolf, a well-researched and acclaimed book on dealing with chronic illness and its impact on families. Her book was reviewed nationally and listed as a recommended read in the New York Times book review in 1989. Joanna was frequently asked to address professional groups treating others affected by this disease.

Joanna is survived by her husband Lawrence Noble and her daughter Lisa Hansen, Lisa’s husband Daniel Hansen, and her two grandchildren, Morgan Dunn and Calvin Hansen, as well as by her husband’s three children, their spouses, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Franklin and Peggy Baumer and her sister Constance Hagedorn.

She also leaves behind many very close friends who have loved her for years. Joanna was exceptionally caring and loyal and will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

A private burial and celebration of life will be held at a later date by her family.