Joan Reilly Pountnay

Born in San Francisco, CA on 6 February 1926, she grew up in Floral Park, NY and Charlotte, NC.

After studying Psychology at Chestnut Hill College in Pennsylvania, she became employed by Delta Air Lines as a stewardess. Her dream job led her to meet the love of her life, John Ralston Pountnay, a pilot with Delta. They married in 1953 and eventually settled in Miami, FL to raise their family.

They were fortunate to have been able to travel extensively through Europe, Canada, and the United States where they made lifelong friends. Beginning in childhood, Joan continued as a lifelong volunteer with the American Cancer Society, driving patients to cancer treatments, organizing fund-raising events, and helping in the local offices. She was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) in Port Charlotte.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: daughter, M. Elizabeth Wakeford and husband, David, of Raleigh, NC, and son, Thomas C. Pountnay and fiance’, Tracy Bruehs, of Laurel, MD; her grandchildren: Catherine Emily Wakeford and Christian Nicholas Wakeford of Raleigh, NC, and John Richard Pountnay, Thomas Christopher Pountnay, Jr., Lauren Grace Pountnay, and great-grandson John Richard Pountnay, Jr., all of Laurel, MD. She also leaves behind her beloved sister, Gail Reilly Grim of Charlotte, NC, brother-in-law, Wilbour Conroy of Towson, MD, and adoring nieces and nephews, Rusty Grim, Cindy Grim, Joanie Elder, Paul Grim, Diane Conroy, and cousin, Colleen Conroy of Washington DC.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, John Ralston Pountnay, her brother-in-law, Harry J. Grim, and her sister, Ann Reilly Conroy.

We wish to express immeasurable gratitude to Tidewell Hospice and Home Instead caregivers, especially Elizabeth, Linda, and Taija, for providing such compassionate care in the last months of her life. And to her friends, Charlette and John Heyer, for their tireless companionship and love for her.

Per our mother’s request, there will be a single service at Arlington National Cemetery at a later time where her remains will be interred alongside our father’s.

If you choose to do so, donations in Joan’s memory would be greatly appreciated by the American Cancer Society of Charlotte County, FL or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

We will love, honor, and miss you forever, Mom. Thank you for the wonderful life you gave us and for choosing us to be your children.