Joan Winston, Star Trek Convention Pioneer, 77
Chuck
TrekMovie has been informed that Joan ("Joannie") Winston, one of the
founders of the first Star Trek conventions and author of "The Making
of the Star Trek Conventions," passed away September 11th at age 77.
According to her family, Joan died in her sleep at an assisted living
center in New York.
Joan Winston’s contributions to Star Trek fandom are legion. She was
one of the organizers (aka "The Committe") of the original Trek
conventions during the 1970s, the story of which is chronicled in her
excellent 1977 book "The Making of the Trek Conventions." Winston was
also a co-writer of the classic 1975 text "Star Trek Lives!" where she
wrote about her visit to the Star Trek set during the filming of the
episode "Turnabout Intruder." Winston also wrote fan fiction and even
edited a fanzine ("Number One") all about William Riker. Winston
continued attending and speaking at conventions into this decade, with
her last appearance at Shore Leave in 2006. Winston was featured in
the 2005 documentary Trekkies 2. In 2007, she was named the 4th most
influential Star Trek fan of all time by Trekcore.com.
Winston, who at the time worked for CBS and ABC was instrumental in
introducing the main cast and crew of Star Trek to the notion of
attending the world of conventions. Winston was a key source for
William Shatner’s 1999 book on Trek fans and conventions, "Get a
Life!" In the book Shatner describes Winston as "bright, bubbly, and
energetic beyond every law of human physiology and comprehension," and
Shatner goes on to thank Winston for "finally opening my eyes about
Star Trek conventions and fans." About these early conventions,
Winston is quoted by Shatner as saying:
"There were people who found a friend, that was the most important -
(starts to get emotional). Now, I’m getting all - because all the
really good friends I’ve ever made came through Star Trek. I’ve also
seen handicapped people and people who are socially challenged
literally turn their lives around because of the love and acceptance
and friendship they’ve found at the conventions."
This week, the Star Trek community has lost a friend. Winston was a
pioneer who helped shaped Star Trek fandom. Thanks, Joan, and we’ll
miss you. To learn more about Joan and her contribution to Trek
fandom, both her "The Making of Star Trek Conventions" book as well as
Shatner’s "Get A Life!" are highly recommended.
Services for Joan will be held Sunday September 14th, 2008 at the
Plaza Funeral Home located at 630 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan at
9:30am and fans are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations be made to The Hebrew Home for the Aged at
Riverdale located at 5901 Palisade Avenue, Bronx , NY 10471, who cared
for her in her final months.
Brad Ferguson
<5aebe4cb-0640-4f66...@z66g2000hsc.googlegroups.com>,
Chuck <trekke...@verizon.net> wrote:
> TrekMovie has been informed that Joan ("Joannie") Winston, one of the
> founders of the first Star Trek conventions and author of "The Making
> of the Star Trek Conventions," passed away September 11th at age 77.
> According to her family, Joan died in her sleep at an assisted living
> center in New York.
>
> Joan Winston’s contributions to Star Trek fandom are legion. She was
> one of the organizers (aka "The Committe") of the original Trek
> conventions during the 1970s, the story of which is chronicled in her
> excellent 1977 book "The Making of the Trek Conventions." Winston was
> also a co-writer of the classic 1975 text "Star Trek Lives!" where she
> wrote about her visit to the Star Trek set during the filming of the
> episode "Turnabout Intruder." Winston also wrote fan fiction and even
> edited a fanzine ("Number One") all about William Riker. Winston
> continued attending and speaking at conventions into this decade, with
> her last appearance at Shore Leave in 2006. Winston was featured in
> the 2005 documentary Trekkies 2. In 2007, she was named the 4th most
> influential Star Trek fan of all time by Trekcore.com.
I met Joanie a few times, and she was delightful. Sad news.
Aje RavenStar
"Chuck" <trekke...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:5aebe4cb-0640-4f66...@z66g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
http://trekmovie.com/2008/09/12/convention-pioneer-joan-winston-has-passed-away/
TrekMovie has been informed that Joan ("Joannie") Winston, one of the
founders of the first Star Trek conventions and author of "The Making
of the Star Trek Conventions," passed away September 11th at age 77.
According to her family, Joan died in her sleep at an assisted living
center in New York.
....
Sigh. Another sad thing to learn as I catch up on things. She was also the
editor of a paperback titled "Startoons" which I was lucky enough to stumble
across early in fandom, introducing me to Phil Foglio, the Klingon
Diplomatic Corps, and more. Thanks, SMOF Winston.