Joan A. Gudaitis

Joan Amelia Gudaitis, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on She was born in New York City on May 2, 1935 to the late Marion & Mary Lopat

The family resided In Ozone Park, N.Y. and when Joan was 11 years old they moved to Oppenheim, NY, where she attended Oppenheim Ephratah Central School. In her Senior Year she was Varsity Cheerleader Captain, Crowned May Queen and graduated Valedictorian of Class of 1952.

She enrolled at The State University of New York at Albany and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1956. While attending college, she was a member of Pi Omega Pi Honorary Society, Distributive Education Club Secretary, House Treasurer of Kappa Delta Sorority and Senior Class Songleader.

Her first teaching position was at her high school alma mater. On August 9, 1958

she married Bernard Joseph Gudaitis. They resided in Madison Wisconsin for a year and then moved to New Jersey. Joan taught business education subjects at Westwood High School, Montville High School, Mountain Lakes High School. After 17 years of teaching college accounting and business and personal law at Morris Knolls High School, she retired in 1997.

In addition to her teaching assignments throughout the many years, she was Advisor to The Future Business Leaders Club of America for 8 years, Assistant Yearbook Advisor for 10 years and Cheerleading Coach for 4 years.

In 1997 Joan and Bernie moved from New Jersey to Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort in Haines City, Florida. While living at Grenelefe, Joan was Secretary of The Aspenwood Homeowners Association for 5 years, then Secretary of The Grenelefe Homeowners Association for 2 years. She also attended St. Ann Catholic Church, Haines City, Florida and sang soprano in the church choir.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bernie who passed away in December 2002.

Joan moved to The Villages in April 2006. While living in The Villages, Joan enjoyed cooking, knitting, shopping, playing Mahjong and Super Samba. Her great love was for her pet cats over the years, especially for her tuxedo cat named Checkers. She was a member of The Elizabeth Villas Guys & Dolls, Queen Mother of The Elizabeth Villas Red Fedoras for 12 years, a member of The Bear and Afghan Ladies and The Heart Pillows. Joan attended St. Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church.

Surviving are her two loving children: son, Dr. B. Mark Gudaitis & wife Nanette Salley, Palos Verdes Estates, California and daughter Dr. Terry M. Gudaitis & spouse Stasi Poulos, Great Falls, Virginia.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 17th at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church, Summerfield.

Burial will follow in Lone Oak Cemetery, Leesburg, Florida next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Joan's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements are by Hiers-Baxley, The Villages