Joan Hardesty
July 14, 1950 — January 29, 2019
Joan Stacy Hardesty, 68, of Frederick, and formerly of Rockville, Maryland went home to the Lord and to the waiting arms of her loving Mother, January 29, 2019
Born in Arlington, VA., July 14, 1950, she was the daughter of Robert James Hardesty and the late Jacqueline Mullin Hardesty.
Joan graduated from Robert E. Peary High School in Rockville where she enjoyed being a soprano in the Accapella Choir. She graduated with a Secretarial Degree from Montgomery Junior College and was employed several years at Vitro Laboratories, in Wheaton, MD.
Known by her friends as “Joanie”, she loved all creatures great and small, keeping mice, turtles, chameleons and birds as pets in her youth. She was a horseback riding enthusiast and acquired great jumping skills. Joan had a twenty year attendance record as a loyal fan of the Washington International Horse Show. She was a doting mother to three lovable cats, and an annual donor to the National Humane Society. Joan was a passionate follower of the journey of a young boy, Mattie J.T. Stepanek, who, in spite of facing similar physical challenges went on to express his love for humanity and peace through his poetry books called “Heartsongs”. Their resting sites at the Gate Of Heaven Cemetery are close in proximity.
Besides her father, Joan is survived by her devoted twin sister, Carol Hardesty Croall and her husband, Jim, of Frederick; two nephews, James R. Croall and wife, Jenevieve, of Ft. Worth, TX. and David P. Croall and wife, Ruchika, of Frederick; two gran nieces, Corrina and Mariella; and one future grandnephew due in May.
Joan will be missed by a lifetime friend, Darlene Newsom of Landenberg, PA. She with her mother, Jewel, made countless long distance visits, including birthdays, celebrating Joan’s, Carol’s and Darlene’s shared birth date together, and many times bringing her family members and their pet dogs, making these occasions some of the most joyful in Joan’s life.
A remembrance of Joan’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2019 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD. Friends will be received at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Auxiliary at Citizens Care & Rehabilitation Center, Frederick, MD, Hospice of Frederick County or the Frederick Humane Society.
Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.