She was born on July 29, 1928 to J. Frank and Josephine Hudson in Kansas City. She attended Sunset Hill School; Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York; and the University of Kansas. At KU, she joined the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, where she developed many lifelong friendships.
In August of 1950, Joanie married Paul “Pud” Hamilton and thus began 64 years of married life. Joanie and Pud became the parents of two daughters, Josephine Anne (Annie) and Elizabeth McKellar (Betsy), who were raised in Kansas City, where they enjoyed the support and friendship of a wide circle of cousins and family friends.
Joanie enjoyed entertaining, going out to lunch, and playing golf, bridge and gin rummy. A devout Catholic, she faithfully attended Mass, but you just might have caught her departing church before the recessional hymn as she hurried to avoid the inevitable traffic congestion. She was pretty certain that God was OK with that.
Joanie had a wonderful, subtle sense of humor which delighted everyone around her. She also had a real love for dogs, particularly Dachshunds, and wherever Joanie and Pud lived, you could count on being greeted at the front door by one or two of the joyful four-legged family members.
Joanie and Pud lived in Kansas City and Colorado Springs, and in both communities Joanie led an active civic, social and family life. In Kansas City, she was a member of the Junior League and volunteered for many organizations, but the one she enjoyed the most was the Crippled Children’s Nursery School (now Children’s TLC). In Colorado Springs, she was a member of the Assistance League and the Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees.
Joanie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Pud, daughter Betsy and sister Marilyn Hudson Jurden. She is survived by her daughter Annie, grandson John Hamilton Rowley, granddaughter Margaret Elizabeth O’Leary (John) and great grandchildren Margaret Ruth O’Leary and John Cameron Gallagher O’Leary.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 6 at 10:30 am at St. Ann Catholic Church at 7231 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208 with visitation prior to Mass at 10:00 am. Burial to follow after services at Forest Hill Cemetery, KCMO.
In keeping with Joanie’s love for dogs and her strong Catholic faith, donations to Wayside Waifs or St. Ann Catholic Church would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be made to www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com. Arrangements: McGilley Midtown Chapel, 816-753-6200.
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