Joan is my nana. For those of you who didn’t know her as well, here’s a look into her life as a grandma… 

Some of my best childhood memories with her are from when we used to camp with nana and Denny. Often times it was the two of them, and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins, and sometimes friends. Since it wasn’t a huge group, we were all very close. We’d play board games and card games, make s’mores, play in the campers, watch movies, and eat delicious meals and treats. Denny always took us tubing behind his boat, which was the highlight of the day for the 4 cousins and our friends.

Other great memories from my childhood were when the aunts and uncles would get together at nana and Denny’s house and play cards and the kids would fend four ourselves in the basement, or when us grandkids would stay overnight. We’d wrestle, watch movies, play games, bake cookies, play in the “crick”, and eat ice cream, hot cocoa, and cereal with lots of sugar.

As an adult, I think about when she took in my sister and I at 17 and 21 years old when my mom had to move away for work. She was SO generous! Many family members lived with her or stayed with her from time to time for various reasons.

Then as an adult with my own kids, some of my favorite memories of her were when she’d come to as many of their sports events as she could, even hockey in the freezing cold, showing just how dedicated she was and how much she loved them. I also love that she came and babysat and dogsat for us SO many times. Every time I’d ask she’d be excited and happy to help and say she was free, even if she wasn’t. She babysat, rocked, sang to, and fed all three of her great grandsons and I know she cherished every minute of it. They all had a very close relationship with her. We will all miss her very much, but we are lucky to have had so much time with her and so many great moments. Our memories of her will last forever through our stories and pictures!

My first memory of Joan is when her brother, my husband, arranged a lunch with her and Denny so we could meet for the first time.  It was going well and I liked them both.  When I visited the ladies room, she came too.  I found out that day that she was a fierce family protector.  She told me not to hurt Butch.  I said I never would.  I respected her for what she said and when I met the entire family, I saw it was a family worthy of protecting.  Rest in peace, Joan.  Until we meet again.

Love, Terri Moran