Joan Tweedy Willis

Joan Tweedy Willis passed away Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Lakeshore Heartland Nursing Home near Nashville from complications related to Multiple Sclerosis, from which she suffered greatly since 1991. She was 74.

Born Joan Harrison Tweedy on February 5, 1943 in Stamford, CT, Joan grew up in Dedham, Massachusetts and attended Beaver Country Day School (Class of ’60). She later attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, before transferring to Boston University, where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1965. Following her divorce in 1969, Joan made a new start, moving with her small son from Chicago to Miami, where she worked in retail for many years; notably with Burdine’s, May Cohens, and J. Byrons. Joan’s career flourished during the 1980s, when she became a National Account Manager for Eureka. She enjoyed traveling on the job, and was an outspoken woman in what was then a male-dominated business. Joan once gave a speech during a national sales meeting before hundreds of attendees in Chicago where the distinguished guest was former President Ford.

Joan was independent and loved working, never wishing to retire. She was a self-described “chocoholic” and considered herself one of the earliest Star Trek fans (“Trekkies”). She loved the warmth of a sunrise on Miami’s Key Biscayne or driving long distances with the music of Elvis, Motown, or anything Country filling the air. Joan was a talented artist, and dreamed of moving to Paris to devote efforts full-time to painting and finding the love of her life. In 1988, Joan decided to take time off to live on her own terms, resigning from Eureka and moving back to her townhouse in Miami. During the final months before her initial MS attack, Joan found inspiration within decks of playing cards, creating dozens of paintings in what was to become her “Royals Collection”.

Despite many years of declining health that followed, Joan maintained a spirit of positivity, humor, and optimism that characterized her throughout life. She never surrendered her loving spirit that touched the lives of all who knew her. She vowed many times to reclaim her life, and with a wide grin was often heard saying “1-2-3, that’s me!!” underscoring her intent to survive to a world record age of 123.

Joan was a devoted mother, who sacrificed many social and career opportunities to ensure her son was raised in a stable, loving home. While times spent with her family were few during Joan’s final years, her finest moments were captured in photos with her grandson, with wide, radiant smiles to be cherished forever.

Joan was the daughter of Blanche Smith Tweedy of Nashville (b. 1909, d. 1995) and John Nelson Tweedy of Glenbrook, CT (b. 1908, d. 1985).

Joan is survived by her ex-husband Keith Albert Willis of Albany, NY (b. 1940), son Keith Nelson Willis of Boca Raton, FL (b. 1966), and grandson Jonah Tyler Vachon Willis (b. 2009).

Services will be held Saturday, December 2 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Nashville at 12:30pm.