Joanne Gast Anderton 1930-2013 (AKA Johana, spelled professionally)—daughter, sister, beloved mother of two, teacher of thousands, author, publisher, artist, co-founder of OPDAG [Original Paper Doll Artists Guild] in 1984. Died December 22, 2013.

Johana was born in Kansas City and had two sisters and a brother. She married Harold Anderton and had a son and a daughter (Rebekka). They sadly lost their son some years ago in a motorcycle accident. Harold passed after they moved back to the KC area after many years near Orlando. Before I met Johana, she began Athena Press to publish paper dolls by Janet Nason, Peggy Jo Rosamond, and perhaps her own art. Even earlier, she had been active in the Modern Doll Collectors clubs and annual conventions. She was the expert on 20th century dolls, and was published with at least four books by that very title.