In the spring of 1956, Joanie Nobis, a senior at Boston College and a member of the dinghy sailing team, met Richard Toner, a varsity baseball player and there began a love affair that would last fifty-one years. SAM: Memories of a Remarkable Woman is an intimate memoir that reveals Joanie’s valiant, lifelong struggle against disease through her husband’s eyes.
When Richard and Joanie were married just fourteen months after they met, Richard knew he was deeply in love with Joanie, but he had no idea of the magnitude of the indomitable courage and determination he would witness from his wife on a daily basis as she faced physical and emotional obstacles. In this passionate tribute to the woman whom Richard regards as his hero, he details not only how he came to name his wife Sam—a pet name that would stick with her for their entire marriage—but also shares their love story and how they became stronger together through Joanie’s continual battles with diabetes, heart disease, and amputations.
SAM: Memories of a Remarkable Woman is a poignant reminder that no matter what the challenges in life, true love is the bond that holds everything together.
