Joan Marie Parker

Born and raised in Howell, Michigan, Joan later attended Saint Lawrence Mercy School of Nursing in Lansing. She met Bill Parker on a blind date, and after graduating from nursing school and Bill completing college and ROTC, they married in May 1955. When asked her birthdate, Joan loved to say “3-3-33,” proudly noting she was also the third child.

After spending much of her early life in one place, Joan and Bill raised their five children while moving to a new state every few years due to Bill’s career. Eventually, they retired to Spotsylvania, Virginia, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Joan dedicated her life to her family of seven. As a stay-at-home mom, she ensured there was always a clean home, clean clothes, and good meals on the table—even when the budget was tight. She worked hard to instill her Christian faith in her children, making sure the family attended Mass every Sunday, often followed by breakfast as a special treat. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fredericksburg until COVID restrictions and her illness prevented her from doing so.

Joan was a smart, talented, and creative woman who loved crafts of all kinds, including sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, needlework, and building dollhouse miniatures alongside Bill. She created many beautiful pieces, most of them gifts for her family.

In addition to exploring the states where she lived, Joan enjoyed traveling to visit family in Germany, Alaska, North Carolina, Texas, and Michigan. She also treasured trips to San Francisco with her daughters and to Hawaii with Bill.

Music was another lifelong passion. Joan played the piano from childhood and even performed “Pomp and Circumstance” at her own high school graduation. Her family especially cherished hearing her play Christmas carols and favorite songs requested by Bill. She attempted to teach several of her children to play and encouraged her grandchildren as they learned as well.

Joan loved visits with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

She is survived by her children: Sue Plachy; Bruce Parker (Alice); Karen Nash; David Parker (Elizabeth); and Debbie Parker. She was a loving grandmother to Robin Plachy (Kevin Facto), Tony Plachy (Ashley), Shannon Parker, Colleen Parker (Jacob), Danny Nash (Mariah), Sarah Rovnak (Ryan), Kara Schaal (Jeff), and Jenna Parker (Charles Hébert), and a proud great-grandmother to Sebastian, Madi, Parker, Griffyn, Layla, Sean, Thomas, and Rachel.

Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Wilson “Bill” Parker; her parents, Lawrence Hahn, Sr. and Mary Lona (Gehringer) Hahn; her siblings, Clarence Hahn, Lawrence Hahn, Phyllis Wright (Clare), and Jacquelene LeClear (Ronald); and her son-in-law, Ricky Plachy.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service in Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, followed by a brief reception. Burial will take place at Laurel Hill Memorial Park and will be private for family only.

Alzheimer’s disease gradually took the mom, grandma, and great-grandma we knew and loved. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Joan’s memory.