Joan Mary Wendell

Joan was born to Blanche and Jack Dempsey in Rutland Vermont in 1934. She spent her youth in various states in New England as her father was an Electrical Engineer who was moved several time throughout his career, she attended High School in New Jersey. She was the oldest of four children and the only girl. She graduated from Goucher College with a Bachelor of Arts and proceeded to work for the NSA where she met her husband with whom she eventually divorced.Joan raised her two children essentially single handled while working often 3-4 jobs to give them Catholic educations, fun vacations and memories, all very important to her. She had wonderful family friends in the community who were her village that loved and supported her as she raised her kids. She was fun loving, very involved in the church, bridge clubs and the community of Berkeley CA where she ultimately retired from Alta Bates Hospital hospital.For the past 19 years Joan has lived in Huntington Beach with her daughter Kathy and her two grandchildren Molly and Matthew. Joan moved to HB after her retirement and bought a house with her daughter Kathy (newly divorced at the time) and helped her raise her grandchildren Molly and Matthew. Her son Tharin and daughter in law Kathy visited often with her other two wonderful granddaughters, Allison and Lauren.Joan will be remembered for her witty conversations, amazing cooking and strong sense of family. She has been the matriarch of her family and will be missed by all who knew her.

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