Joan JansenA frequent writer of fan letters, Joan Jansen became a “friend of the work,” as May Sarton put it, and then a close friend to and manuscript typist for the prolific poet, novelist, and memoirist. Jansen served as a director of the Massapequa Public Lbrary on Long Island. Also drawn to politics, she ran for Congress from New York’s 2nd District, to represent parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties. Although not successful in that bid, she was later elected to the Westport, CT, Representative Town Meeting. In her fifties, Jansen indulged her restless mind and received her bachelor’s degree in philosophy and applied ethics from Fairfield University and a master of arts in humanities from Manhattanville College. When her husband, Richard, retired after a 35-year career with IBM, she established an executive search firm in Fairfield, Conn., which she ran for 25 years. Throughout her life, Jansen has been a generous patron of the arts with a special passion for theatre and writing. In retirement, she continues to write poetry and nonfiction. She makes her home in Peterborough, NH, and enjoys spending time with her family. Read More Read Less