Joan was born in New Rochelle, New York on January 28, 1941 to Joseph and Isabelle DeFolco. She moved to Seattle in 3rd grade with her parents, sister Peggy and her brother Bob. They settled in Centralia where she graduated valedictorian from St Mary School and she graduated from Centralia High School in 1959. While in Centralia her brother Jay was born. After High School she worked at the Centralia Library allowing her to pursue her love of reading. After moving from Centralia to Shoreline, she worked at Travelers Insurance Company for 13 years as the administrator of HR and Payroll. In Shoreline, she attended St Luke Church and it was there that she sung in the choir. A fellow member of the choir was Judy Haider and it was Judy that introduced her to her brother-in-law Clarence. It was at St Luke where they were married by Fr Petosa. Following the wedding Joan joined her husband on the farm in Zell, South Dakota. During her life as a "farmer's wife" she learned to raise and to can all their vegetables and fruit. She learned how to birth calves and to harvest the crops. She learned how to handle the farm equipment, tractors and trucks. Beyond the farm, she was the bookkeeper for St Mary Church in Zell and she created ceramics and many crocheted blankets and clothing. Upon their retirement from farming, Joan and Clarence moved to Lynnwood. She worked at St Thomas More for 15 years and for a few more years at St Luke. Joan continued with her arts and crafts by making Christmas ornaments. Following her retirement from church work she continued to volunteer at St Luke Parish coordinating the "Sandwich Makers" averaging over a 1000 sandwiches each week to feed the homeless in Seattle. Joan was known for her deep faith, her love for everyone, the "sparkle" in her eyes, speaking her mind, traveling, cooking, baking her pies, sewing and reading. She had a deep love for anything concerning history. Joan will be greatly missed by her large extended family and numerous friends.