Joan Brown Dodd, born in Kansas City, Missouri, came to Alaska just prior to statehood to teach English in Seward High School along with her husband, Charlie Brown (now deceased). They moved to Dutch Harbor in '61 and, lured by the charm of the Aleutians, eventually ended up on the semi-isolated island of Akutan. Joan resides in Homer with her husband, Doug, who encouraged her to tell her Akutan story. An accomplished artist, she takes time to do oil painting and place them in local galleries. With some of her children, grandchildren and one great-grandchild living in Homer, she is able to visit them frequently. When not writing, painting, or visiting family Joan spends time gardening and reading for relaxation. At more than age 80, Joan is sometimes asked when she will retire, to which she likes to respond, “That's what I do at night.”