She was a bit of a miracle since day one of her life. Born prematurely at her grandparents’ ranch, Joan weighed less than 2 pounds and was kept alive via a homemade incubator consisting of a brick that had been heated in the fireplace then wrapped in a blanket.
Joan (pronounced Jo Ann) graduated from Austin High School in 1947. She loved marching in the Red Jackets at Austin High where she would meet her future husband, Albert Francis Kirby. They were wed on June 6, 1947, and had 65 glorious years together before Kirby passed away in 2012.
During the 1950’s, Joan worked as a service representative for Southwestern Bell, the only phone company in Austin at the time and purchased stock in the company which she later sold to buy the family’s first home air conditioner. She was devoted to her family, was an active PTA member, and Girl Scout troop cookie chairman. Later, she became the Principal’s secretary and bookkeeper at Lanier High School where she kept a watchful eye on all 3 of her daughters who attended school there. During retirement she enjoyed antiquing with Kirby, playing bunco with neighborhood friends, volunteering at St. David’s Hospital, and was a longtime UT Longhorn supporter.
Joan is survived and cherished by her 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren: Beth and Rusty Shaw (Austin and Jordan) of Houston, Texas; Kay Schwab (Philip, his wife Carrie, and Elliott) of Dallas, Texas; Nancy Kirby & Rich Brock of Austin, Texas; and many friends. Joan was the oldest of 5 children, with one surviving sister and brother-in-law, Jessie and Bob Grissom, numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 9, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. Dr. Jeff Cramer of Crestview Baptist Church will be conducting the service with a reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may direct a memorial donation to Crestview Baptist Church, 7600 Woodrow Avenue, Austin, TX, 78757 or to the Austin High School Hall of Honor Scholarship Fund, 1715 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78703.
To share memories and condolences with the family, please visit Joan’s memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.
