In Remembrance

JOAN "JONI" MCKAY WALLACE  1931-2018

smlrJoni-Wallace__1_.jpgIt is with deep sadness that NASBP announces the passing of Joan "Joni" McKay Wallace, the spouse of NASBP's first Executive Vice President, Bruce T. Wallace, who served in that role for over 29 years. Joni passed away January 12, 2018. Joni was born May 24, 1931, in Philadelphia, PA. She, her mother, and older brother moved to Denver, CO, in 1932. Joni grew up in Colorado, attending East High School in Denver and the University of Colorado in Boulder. She met the love of her life, Bruce, while skiing in Aspen and married him in Denver in January 1953. She and Bruce moved to Fredericksburg, VA, in June 1953 when Bruce was in the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. They moved in the fall of 1953 to California when Bruce was stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Their son, Scott, was born in 1955 in San Diego.

Joni and Bruce returned to Denver with their infant son Scott in the spring of 1955 after Bruce left the Marines and began working as a surety bond producer and insurance agent at C.H. Ritter Agency, the owner of which was then the NASBP First Vice President C.H. Ritter. Joni's and Bruce's twin daughters, Jennifer and Julianne, were born in 1957. Joni and Bruce moved their family to Millburn, NJ, in July 1960 when Bruce opened NASBP's first headquarters at 60 John Street, New York City. Then, in 1962, the officers of NASBP and of the National Association of Casualty & Surety Agents (NACSA) agreed that Bruce should become the chief staff executive for both Associations. In 1971, Joni and Bruce moved to the Washington, DC area, where the NASBP headquarters was relocated. Throughout Bruce's career with NASBP, Joni attended numerous NASBP meetings where she became close friends with many NASBP members and staff. After Bruce died in 1989, members and their spouses remained close friends with Joni until her passing. 

NASBP Past President Vince Como recalled, "Joni was a very warm, sweet person who, as the wife of Bruce Wallace, made all of the membership feel that they were part of the family. She was very helpful and accommodating to the wife of each incoming President of NASBP. I would say everyone who knew her loved her."

NASBP Past President Charlie Fleck added, "Joni was loved by everyone and close to many wives of members. She helped make Bruce the great leader he was, and she was a real asset to the association. She helped the association by her presence in many activities. Joni had a smile for everyone and the ability to make friends wherever she went--petite in stature but mighty in her joy of family and friends."

Joni is survived by her children, Scott Wallace (Joanne), Jennifer Beebe (William), and Julianne Benson (Steven); and her grandsons, Patrick Benson of Los Angeles, CA, and Jeffrey and Brian Benson of Las Vegas, NV. No service was planned. Donations in her memory can be made to www.communityhospices.org or Compassion and Choices at www.compassionandchoices.org. We invite you to share your condolences with Joni's family by signing the guest book at Legacy.com.

Please join the NASBP leadership and staff in expressing our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Joni's family. NASBP would not be what it is today without the dedication, kindness, and friendship of Joni and Bruce.   

EMILIO SALDANA

NASBP recently learned the sad news of the passing of Emilio Saldana of Marsh-Saldana of San Juan, Puerto Rico. NASBP will provide more information in a subsequent issue of the newsletter.