Joan (Joanie) was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1942 to Charles Darcy and Mary Kingsmill. She grew up there, spending many summers in Muskoka, Canada, where she was an enthusiastic tennis player and diver. She attended Havergal College School and the University of Toronto, and held numerous jobs including stewardess for United Airlines, banker for the Royal Bank of Canada, and director of the Havergal College Alumni Foundation, where she was well known for roller skating the hallways.
In 1985 Joanie married William Winston Roper, III (aka “Roper”) and moved to Pittstown, NJ. She became a citizen of the United States in 1986. Joanie lived in Pittstown for ten years, enjoying her life on the family farm with her dogs and new family. She was very active as a volunteer for the Hunterdon Developmental Center, a state facility providing services to women and men with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In 1995, Joanie moved to Saint Simons Island, Georgia. She deeply embraced various civic and social activities, including running the Saint Simons Island Library Book Sale, walking dogs and fundraising for the Human Society of South Coastal GA, organizing the annual Sea Palms 4th of July Parade and Kazoo Band, hosting fundraising events in her home for cancer research, and enthusiastically participating in the Sea Palms ladies 9-Holer golf group, where she was well known for her putting, which sometimes started from 50 yards off the green. She loved dogs and shared her home with six canine companions over the course of her years living in the US. Joanie also loved travelling with Roper, ocean cruises with family and friends, and vacationing in St. Barts and Maine.
Joanie is survived by her husband, William Roper, sons Marc (Erica) Roper and Monty (Lucy) Roper, son-in-law Pearce Lahn, grandchildren Allie Lahn, Jake Lahn, Jordan Roper, Paige Roper, Phoenix Chang Roper, and Kaia Chang Roper, brother David Kingsmill, and many, many friends. Her daughter Susan Lahn and her sister Lynn Kingsmill predeceased her.
Joanie had a huge heart, a giving soul, and a wonderfully mischievous sense of humor. She was a consummate host, who could throw marvelous dinners or lead a party in Christmas carols, but who might also slip trick candles into your cake. She was a stalwart correspondent known for her colorful cards. She was a dear, dear friend who would deliver smiley-faced sponges to your front door and brighten your day with thoughtful gifts, such as the lovely little chirping birds with a seemingly endless battery power and no off switch. She was beloved to friends and extended family. She will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held at Lovely Lane Chapel on January 9th, 2024, at 11 am, followed by a gathering of friends and family at Joanie’s home. In lieu of flowers, Joanie’s family requests those wishing to express sympathy to consider a memorial donation to Hospice of the Golden Isles, https://hospice.me/giving/remembering-a-loved-one/.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandsons.com, is entrusted with the arrangements.
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