Joan Staple (known professionally as Dr. I.J. Lorch) passed away at the age of 99 on November 27, 2022 in her home at Canterbury Woods, Williamsville, New York.
Born in Offenbach, Germany and educated in England, Dr. Lorch earned a PhD in histochemistry from the University of London in 1949. She moved to Buffalo in 1963.
Her ground-breaking research in the field of cell biology at the University of Buffalo’s Center for Theoretical Biology was recognized by the New York Times and led to more than 30 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
In 1973, she became a member of the Canisius College faculty, becoming Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology. In addition to her teaching and scientific research, Dr. Lorch founded the women’s studies program at Canisius, now called Women and Gender Studies. In recognition of her devoted advocacy for women, in 1992 Canisius established an annual I. Joan Lorch Award to "honor a person who has made a significant contribution to women and who exemplifies the pursuit of liberation and justice regarding sex, gender, and sexuality."
Following her retirement from Canisius in 2003, Dr. Lorch published a two-volume memoir: Chance and Choice (2007) and Change and Challenge (2009).
In 2019, Canisius awarded Dr. Lorch the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters to celebrate “her exceptional achievements in scientific research, unwavering dedication as an educator and for being a steadfast advocate for women.”
Dr. Lorch was an active hiker and skier (both downhill and X-country) well into her eighth decade. She was a long-time member of the Adirondack Mountain Club. In recent years, she also loved playing Scrabble with her family and connecting on-line daily with other players of "Words with Friends".
She was pre-deceased by her husband of over 55 years, Dr. Peter H. Staple, a Professor of Oral Biology at the University of Buffalo’s Dental School. She is survived by her sons Gregory (Siobhan) of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Alan of Chestertown, Maryland; four grandchildren, Nicole, Nico, Justin and Camille; and one great grandchild, Naomi Joan.
A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst in 2023: www.uuamherst.org. Donations, in lieu of flowers, should be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo
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