Encouraged from an early age to study music and dance, Joan nurtured her passion for the arts throughout her life. She began as a student and became a partner with her instructor after graduating with dual majors in business and sociology from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. She worked in the Social Services Department of Rochester General and Genesee Hospital while teaching dance classes. Joan met her late husband, Dr. James L. Secrest, during a blind Valentine’s Day date (which she remembers fondly and with humor) and the two were married June 13, 1953.
Joan and her husband moved to Mansfield, Ohio for his medical practice and it was there in 1955 that she established ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz dance classes at the local YMCA. She taught these classes for close to two decades and went on to choreograph numerous choir and theatre productions in Mansfield over the years, for which she has been recognized in local newspapers many times. Joan was active in the community and participated and helped with many Town Roasts. She was an instructor for the Richland Academy of the Arts and began, as well as choreographed, a dance program called “STRUT” for 60 to 80-year old performers. This group performed across Richland County and continues to do so today, which Joan followed until her passing. In 1996, she was honored by the Academy for her contributions to dance.
Joan, or Joanie as her friends called her, was known for her vibrant and energetic life. She once said that she would be happy if she left this life dancing and she certainly did so. She continued to teach and choreograph dance well into her eighties and was known to “strut her stuff” around the house to music playing in the background even after her health forced her to retire from dance instruction. She was a dedicated dancer and instructor, as well as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her huge personality will be greatly missed by anyone who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Jeff Secrest, Thomas (Pamela) Secrest, and Sara (Douglas) Frye; as well as her grandchildren, Matthew, James (Heather), Jeffrey (Lindy) and Benjamin (Emily) Secrest, Justin (Shannon) Tapp, and Elizabeth and Thomas Frye; and three great-grandchildren.
Her family will receive friends Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will be officiated by Rector Emeritus David S. Sipes. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Mansfield Cemetery.
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