Sad news: The Clay Nation Loses A Great Friend

I was hoping to announce the winner of my latest comment contest, but I just found out that the only person who entered died last week. Joan Martin, aka Ashes, was a dear friend to her fellow Claymates. Although I never met her in person -as I live in Tennessee and she lived in Alberta, Canada; we shared several comments and personal messages through our blogspot blogs and The
Clay Aiken Official Fan Club . She died due to a lung infection.


Joan was among the first who welcomed me to the OFC 3 years ago. She has made several photo blends, montages and videos that featured Clay and/or his music, many are featured on her blog Ashes Clay The Man. She made the montage at the top of this entry. Click the photo to see the whole pic. Instead of the Itunes card, I will donate to the National Inclusion Project in her memory. One video is part of her entry to this contest. It is featured below with her comment;

"Ashes said...

Cynthia (hey there's a "C"!)you have such interesting new ideas :)

How about a montage -- Christmas Waltz by Clay!
It's at my blog:
http://ashes-clay-theman.blogspot.com/2009/11/clay-aiken-christmas-is-comin-birthday.html

A happy Christmas season to you!!
hugs, Ashes

November 27, 2009 10:26:00 PM EST

"

Joan, we miss you. Our thoughts and prayers are with your friends and family.
Another Claymate has made a touching tribute to Joan with a video with some of her artwork featured. It is by Aspiegirl and is the second video(P.S. You may want to press stop on the music player in order to watch the videos.).

There are some touching tributes from Joan's friends on Carolina Clay's blog and the fan club board,