Joan was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 20, 1931. She was educated in Chicago Public Schools, and graduated from Northwestern Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a B.S. from Rollins College and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida. She was a member of the nursing honorary society, Sigma Theta Tau. She moved to Winter Park, Florida in 1958, and to Cape Canaveral in 1996.
Joan was employed by Orange County Public Schools at Orlando Technical Center for 27 years, first as a nursing instructor in the adult health occupations program, and for the last nine years as Assistant Director.
As a member of Winter Park Presbyterian Church, she served as an elder, deacon, choir member, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, and as an officer and Bible leader for the Women of the Church. She was awarded Lifetime Membership in the WOC in 1983.
Joan was a member of the Marlando Club since 1959, functioned as an officer, and served as president in 1967. She assisted in establishing the Glaucoma Detection Center. She also participated on several community boards, and was a Cub Scout den mother. After retiring, she joined the Cape Canaveral Hospital Auxiliary, serving as a volunteer, and as president from 2009-2011.
Her life was blessed by loving family and enduring friendships.
She was preceded in death by her son, Timothy Robert, her parents Kenneth and Florence Thomas, and her brother Kenneth Thomas, Jr.
She is survived by daughter Jane Zappia (husband Jon), of Yucaipa, CA, and son Thomas Harold Newman (wife Ann) of Sunnyvale, CA, five grandchildren, Karter, Alex, Emily, Elizabeth, and Steven, and sister Jane Munns of Winter Park.
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