Joan Adams Hudiburg

Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Community Volunteer

Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and community volunteer, Joan Adams Hudiburg passed away on July 13 in her home, surrounded by her family members, after a lengthy illness. She was eighty-two years old.

Born in Watertown, MA, as Joan Helen Adams, she moved in 1952 to Miami, FL, where she met her husband of fifty-nine years, John Justus Hudiburg, Jr. Additional survivors include her four children, Lee Ann Hudiburg Kunkle (David), Carol Hudiburg, John “Jay” Hudiburg, III (Jane), and Mark Hudiburg (Maria). She was the grandmother to Katie Kunkle Argenna, and Carl, Eric, Sophie, Jackie, Jack, and Matthew Hudiburg, the aunt to Rick Adams, Rob Adams, and Joan Adams Levitt, and the great aunt to Ben, Mike, and Ann Levitt, and Alexa and Zack Adams. Her sister-in-law, Evelyn Adams, was a dear friend. She was pre-deceased by her parents, John Quincy Adams and Helen Leahy Adams, and her brother, John “Jack” Adams.

Joan Hudiburg was a graduate of Belmont High School (Belmont, MA), Boston University (A.A. degree), and Florida International University (B.S. degree with High Honors).

Throughout her adult life, Joan Hudiburg volunteered in community organizations. She served in the PTA and the Garden Club of Sarasota and was the vice president of the local YWCA. After moving back to Miami in 1972, she became active in the Miami Museum of Science. She served as the museum’s volunteer coordinator and operated its planetarium for visiting school children prior to becoming the president of its Guild.

In 1989, she and her husband moved to the Admiral’s Cove neighborhood of Jupiter. She soon joined the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, a non-profit organization that seeks to preserve the history of the region, while operating the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. Her roles included docent to the museum, volunteer coordinator, and President of the Guild. At the time of her death, she served as the Secretary to the organization and was a member of the Board. In 2003, she was the recipient of the Bessie DuBois Award, recognizing her “outstanding contributions” to Jupiter and the Loxahatchee River Historical Society. Joan was also a member of the P.E.O Sisterhood, an international women’s organization that provides educational opportunities to female students worldwide. She was active in and past President of the AL Chapter in West Palm Beach and helped raise funds for several scholarships for local women.

In addition to her volunteer work, Joan Hudiburg relished her time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. She took annual trips to New England to see the fall foliage and visit with her northern relatives. She enjoyed travelling, excursions on her boat, “Callisto,” and participating in the many weddings, baptisms, and other special events enabled by having a large family.

There was a small private funeral and internment on Tuesday, July 16th. A public memorial service will be held at Jupiter FIRST Church on August 23rd at three p.m., Reverend Deborah Kaiser-Cross officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joan’s name to the Loxahatchee River Historical Society.