Joan Masterson Harnett passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief illness at the young age of 98. "Young", being how Joan felt her whole life. She would often say she felt 'about 30'.
Joan was born to James and Evangeline Masterson on March 26, 1922, in Philadelphia, PA. She had 3 younger brothers whom she loved very much. She attended Melrose Academy for her primary education and then Rosemont College, where she majored in English. Joan married Gerald Harnett after graduation and anxiously awaited his return from his service in the US Navy during WWII. Joan and Gerry had 6 children, two of whom predeceased Joan, Gerry and Kevin. She is survived by her sons James (FL) Mark (VA), and Chris (PA), and her daughter, Evanne (CT); her children's spouses, Erica (Gerry), Joye (Chris) and Dan (Evanne); her grandchildren Brendan and Emily, Meeka, Annie, Claire and Dan, and her great grandchildren, Marquis, Shane, and Lillie. Besides her immediate family, she is survived by her brother Richard (Mary Lou) and her sister-in-law Patricia, and a treasure trove of nieces and nephews. Her brothers Tom and Jim predeceased her, as well as her spouse, Gerry.
After raising her children, Joan attended Temple University and was granted her Master of Social Work degree in 1979. She then went to work for Children's Aid Society in Norristown, PA where she tended to the needs of foster children, foster parents, and adoptive children and their parents. She worked at Children's Aid until 2004 – 81yrs old!
Besides her family, Joan had a myriad of interests, her fondest being her love of books. She was either a member of or a leader of, sometimes 3 book clubs at once. She kept lists and lists of the books that she read. The subject matter of her reading material was quite varied which convinced her family that they could ask her any question and she would know the answer.
Joan also loved the ballet and opera, introducing her family to both from early on. She loved a good adventure and was fond of traveling to far off lands such as Antarctica, crossing the Panama Canal, and many trips to Europe. She said the most exotic and fascinating country to visit was Turkey. She made that trip in her early '90s. But, above all, her favorite family vacation was the South Jersey shore. Being from Philadelphia, the 'shore' was practically a second home.
Joan exercised daily, either swimming or walking, or playing tennis. She thought of swimming as such a 'chore' but she was committed and enjoyed the endorphins it provided. She also thought a good swim should be rewarded with a good martini. With a twist of course!
Joan made many friends of all ages – those friends who say that Joan 'really listened' to them and was truly interested in them. It has been said that it is the best of her many gifts.
She left an indelible mark on those friends as well as so many lovely memories for her family. To quote Joan, 'let's hope we meet again!'
To offer the family online condolences please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com