Joan was born in Wilson, NC, but grew up in Adelphi, MD.  After college at the University of MD, she was a school librarian in Prince Georges County, MD, a reference librarian at SUNY Fredonia, and then at her longest tenure in the schools in Angola, NY, while living in Springville, NY.  She retired in 1999, and later moved to Palm Coast, FL.  She returned to NY to be with her new grandchildren in Rochester in 2017.  She spent many happy hours creating hundreds of miniature quilts, crafting, collecting seashells, and painting in water color and oils.  She delighted in the many squirrels and birds in her yard. 

She is survived by her husband, James, who were happily married for 60 years, children, Andrea Tao and James Wallace; grandchildren, Williams (Tao) and Briony Elin (Tao) sister, Patricia of Bowie, MD, and niece, Diana of Elkridge, MD. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 4 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Harloff Funeral Home, 803 S. Washington Street, East Rochester.  Interment will be held privately for family.