It is difficult to describe the impact Janice O'Neal had on the hobby we all love and participate in. It wasn't just through the public things she did that we all knew about; there was so much she - and Jerry, who always had her back - contributed that wasn't so evident. So many chip collectors became involved through Janice's tutelage and generosity, and some of that effect can be seen in the number of posts here today. There are many more.

Bobbie and I were fortunate enough to live not too far from Janice and Jerry before they moved to Las Vegas, and hosted them at our house on a couple of occasions. I well remember the pages and pages of handwritten letters Janice and I exchanged in the earliest days of the Club, trying to make sense of and preserve the sometimes contradictory and puzzling history of gaming in Nevada. I used to call her my "soul sister" because her interest in history and background was as acute as my own, and neither of us was ever satisfied to add a chip to our collections without knowing as much as possible about the club that issued it, the owners, and its history. Her hand can be seen in books the hobby has benefitted from for many years, sometimes without credit (Anderson's ashtray book, for example). Her lists of chips and tokens and her gathering of tribal gaming history in the upper midwest from its outset, made sure that the history of those casinos would be maintained even as it was being created.

Janice and Jerry always had time for chip collectors, and selflessly helped so many collectors build their collections.

Even before she served as an elected officer of the Club, Janice contributed as Club Historian by appointment. But she needed no title to help others and share her knowledge and research. As a member of the Club's Hall of Fame, Janice's name will be recognized as a pioneer and bulwark of the hobby forever.

I really believed Janice was going to pull through this and that we'd see her at the 2009 convention. I cannot even imagine what Jerry is going through right now. The two of them were inseparable, and although Jerry preferred to remain in the background, he did everything he possibly could to assist Janice in the hobby and worked tirelessly with her (and she could tire out most of us!).

The Club and the hobby has lost an incredible asset and a wonderful woman. I will write to Jerry, and will make a donation to the MoGH in Janice's name. I hope others will do the same.

Rest in peace, Janice. I won't be the only one missing you!

Michael