Joan Patricia MacLean

Joan Patricia Gormley MacLean, 86, of Annapolis, MD, died on Friday, November 29, 2024.

Joan Patricia Gormley MacLean was born in New York City on 5/28/1938 to Helen and Robert Gormley and grew up in Larchmont, NY where her family belonged to the Larchmont Yacht Club. At the club, she developed into an enthusiastic athlete, participating in swimming, diving, and became a proficient sailor.

She graduated from the Convent of The Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT. in 1956 and made her debut the same year at New York City’s Gotham Ball, where she was formally presented to Cardinal Spellman.

In May 1958, she graduated from Marymount College, Arlington, Virginia where she majored in Nursing. While at Marymount, she coordinated the social programs with other local colleges. Rupert MacLean, a Midshipman, did the same for the Naval Academy. This resulted in a Soc Hop at St. Mary’s in Annapolis, MD, where they met for the first time. After dating for 2 years, they married on 21 June 1958 in Larchmont, NY. Together they raised five children who subsequently produced 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Ever the sports enthusiast, Joan coached girls’ soft ball and was Den mother to her son, Scott's, Cub Scout Pack.

Joan and Rupert spent the next 20 years on active duty at 9 duty stations, serving throughout the US and 2 years in Japan. During these tours, she took up the hobbies of quilting, stitchery, and making clothes for her children. Their last tour of duty, in 1974, brought them to Washington, DC and to their new home in Bowie, MD. While in Bowie, MD she became interested in Democratic politics where she ran Maryland State Senator Ed Conroy's constituents’ office and participated in Congressman Steny Hoyer's political campaigns. Following that, she went into sales.

Joan was a member of The Embroiders Guild of America, The Smocking Arts Guild of America, The Belair Swim and Racket Club, Bowie Boys & Girls Club and The Annapolis Yacht Club.

She and Rupert both retired in 1997, sold their house in Bowie, bought a sailboat and went off cruising for the next five years, wintering in the Bahamas and summering on Chesapeake Bay. They finally came ashore in Annapolis, MD in 2002. Since coming back ashore, Joan enjoyed sewing, quilting, hand and machine embroidery, cooking and gardening.

Missing the lure of the cruising life they moved up to cruise ships where they ultimately became world travelers, culminating in a world circumnavigation in 2006 aboard Cunard's QE 2. For the next 10 years, between cruises, she assisted Rupert in running the Naval Academy’s Class of 1958 football tailgates. Joan and Rupert were married for 66 years and led one incredible life together.

Joan was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathryn (JT) Kady. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Rupert Jr, four children, Rupert III “Scott” (Belinda) MacLean, Donna (Brian) Gunning, Mary Pat (Tom) Bromwell, Duncan (Sherri) MacLean, 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and numerous other friends and family members.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends are asked to make donations in memory of Joan to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122.