Joan B. Harper

Joan Dolores Barnes Harper was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 14, 1932 to William and Isabelle Lucy (Girdler) Barnes. She passed away peacefully while under the gentle care of Angela Hospice in Livonia, Michigan on May 25, 2017 at the age of 84.

Joan is survived by her sister, Iris (Barnes) Karaska; her daughter Joyce Anne Mechling and partner Warren Charles Nagle, Jr. and son Paul Carl Mechling; her grandchildren Aidan Charles, Conor Barnes, and Isabelle Aalijah Marie Nagle. She was preceded in death by her husband John Richard (Dick) Harper and daughter Elizabeth Ethel Mechling. Joan was fortunate enough to have many nieces and nephews from both sides of her family who loved and cared for her and will also miss her.

Joan raised her three children as a single parent while working full-time and attending school to complete her nursing degree. She was very proud to be a nurse and it was during this career that she met Dick, the love of her life.

Her funeral will be held on July 1, 2017 at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 N. Military, Dearborn, MI 48124, 313-565-8450. There will be a luncheon after the service for the attendees. Joan will be laid to rest in the crypt at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 4800 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201.

In lieu of flowers, Joan requested that donations be made to Crossroads in Detroit, which is a non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance, advocacy, and counseling to anyone in need. You can donate online at http://www.crossroadsofmichigan.org/donate/.