Joan Elizabeth York

Joan Elizabeth York (née Gorman) was affectionately known as “Joannie” by her siblings, “Mom” or “Ma” by her three adult children and their spouses, “Grandma” by her 5 wild grandchildren, and “Pooh bear” or “Pooh” by her loving husband Fred, despite their children constantly questioning the appropriateness of that particular nickname.

Joan (pronounced Joan and not Joanne) passed away on October 20, 2025. She was 75 years old. She was suffering from lung maladies, as well as being tired of being called Joanne.

Joan was born on October 10,1950 in Syracuse, New York. Her father, a World War II Veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, worked nights for the railroad while her mother worked during the day at a local family-owned jewelry store.

Joan (not Joanne) was the third child of seven. Each of these seven children would grow up to be distinguished in their own unique ways. All went to college, and many went beyond that. Joan was no exception. Joan received a full academic scholarship to Boston University (Go Terriers), where she received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing. She then moved to Miami, Florida to attend the University of Miami (Go U) to become a nurse practitioner.

In the 80’s, Joan returned to Massachusetts to practice nursing and start her family. She met a man in Boston that had a sailing boat, a sports car, and a great job as an electrical engineer. Upon considering all those things (and love), she married him.

As a nurse, Joan was not afraid of taking the most difficult cases. She worked on a pediatric burn ward and then was a traveling nurse in difficult neighborhoods in Massachusetts. Although many people she visited were grateful and kind, she occasionally would be greeted at the door by a naked man, or one armed with a gun, or one that seemed to be nice enough at first, only to have him block the only exit when she tried to leave. She had many wild stories of her time doing this work.

Through kindness, calmness, and peacefulness, Joan de-escalated some dangerous situations.

Towards the end of her working career, Joan found work that really spoke to her. It was working for the Seminole Department of Health in their HIV/AIDs clinic. Her compassion, kindness, and exceptional knowledge of this area of science made her the perfect fit for this job.

Joan had three children, Tom, Kate, and Jen. Her unending love and support allowed her children to achieve their dreams. Tom is an entrepreneur and business owner, Kate is an attorney, and Jen is a physician/hospitalist.

After Joan’s children were raised and she retired from nursing, her new full-time job was to travel.

Joan ate black squid in Rome. She went dog sledding in Alaska. She took a Russian prison bus trip though Estonia where she was fed a shot of cheap vodka and a boiled egg for breakfast. Joan described this experience as being a highlight in her life. She saw Hamilton in London at the height of its popularity. She floated in the Dead Sea.

In truth, Joan was not looking for exotic travel destinations to cross off some list. She went to places that she felt compelled to go to. She went to England, Italy, France, Switzerland, Greece, Russia, Estonia, Israel, Turkey, the Philippines, Guam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, Alaska, and more.

Joan’s grandchildren were born, she decided to take time off from gallivanting around other countries and show her grandchildren the mischief they can get up to close to home. Her children would jokingly refer to Joan as “Trouble Elizabeth Trouble,” as trouble was not her middle name, but her first and last name. Joan would play sports with kids such as hockey and football, and card games. She went to their sports games, helped them with homework, and listened to them when they needed someone safe to vent to.

Joan is predeceased by her parents John and Pat Gorman, as well as her sister Ann Wilson. She is survived by her husband Fred York, her siblings Tom Gorman, Maureen Mapes and spouse Paul, Judy Gorman and spouse Patrick Sullivan, John Gorman and spouse Fides, and Sue Murray and spouse Tom, her sister Ann Wilson’s surviving spouse Fred Wilson. She is also survived by her children, Tom York and spouse Melissa, Kate York and her imaginary spouse that she utilizes for tax purposes, and Jen Peterson and spouse Brett. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Madison, Liam, Dalton, John, and Luke, and innumerable friends.

Joan was an amazing spouse, mother, grandmother, friend, colleague, and person. Her sharp and sly sense of humor put things in perspective and allowed her to keep going when bad news was unavoidable. She could see the best in terrible situations. She lives on in all those that she touched.

In lieu of flowers, please send money directly to her daughter Kate. Just kidding. Please consider making a charitable donation to Shriners, St. Jude, or the American Lung Association. Also, please think of others who are immunocompromised and get vaccinated.