Joan MacDonald

Joan was born in Dedham, Massachusetts. She grew up in Boston and attended the public schools there. She attended the University of New Hampshire for two years and then transferred to Simmons College in Massachusetts, graduating with a major in English. She earned a Master’s Degree from Boston University and did post graduate work in Speech at Emerson College.

Joan’s stateside teaching began in Brookline and Boston, Massachusetts. Her overseas career was in Panama, Puerto Rico, Okinawa, the Philippines, and Korea. Joan was reassigned to Japan when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines but was able to take advantage of the opportunity to return to Subic Bay Naval Station . After one year Subic closed and Joan spent the remainder of her DoDDS career in Seoul, Korea, teaching ESL.

It was in the Philippines that Joan was pleasantly pleased and surprised to meet a previously unknown cousin, Beth Holcomb. This in turn led to Joan becoming acquainted with other long lost relatives whose friendships enriched her retirement.

Joan retired to Sun City Center, Florida where she did her primary shopping at Barnes & Noble. She joined a poetry writing group that enabled her to expand her creativity.

As a teacher Joan loved and cared very much for her students . She was a voracious reader and was respected for her sharp mind, humor and quick wit. She is greatly missed by all who knew her.