Joan Diamond Adler

Joan Diamond Adler, “Joanie” to those who love her, was born in St. Louis on June 23, 1934, to Leon and Sara (Needle) Diamond. She passed away peacefully with her children by her side at her home in Houston, Texas, on February 15, 2026. Her 91 years were filled with incredible love, warmth, laughter and happiness.

After graduating from University City High School, Joanie attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied fashion design. While she was still a student, she met William Adler, already a Wash U graduate, and fell in love. Their 52-year love story was truly magical and admirable, built on mutual love, respect, and compromise. They had three children, Lynn (Arnie) Christiansen, Edward Adler, and the late Barbara Adler. As a mother, she was always physically and emotionally present, providing her household with unwavering support and overflowing love.

Joanie was a respected fashion consultant and model, producing high-end shows and events in the St. Louis area. She hired local models, many of whom remained among her closest friends for decades. Throughout her life, Joanie's long-lasting relationships sustained her. She would spend hours on the phone talking with friends and checking in with extended family. Her affable, sociable, talkative nature was absolutely magnetic.

She was an active and devoted member of the Jewish community. While living in St. Louis, she was President of the BSKI Sisterhood. After moving to Houston, where she lived for her last 20 years, she joined the board of Temple Sinai.

She had a deep love for fashion, jewelry and makeup, and always dressed picture-perfect for the occasion. She was an avid knitter and gardener. One of her favorite activities was to join her friends in a knitting circle, where they made thousands of hats for premature newborns and scarves for cancer patients at local hospitals.

Family always came first, last, and everywhere in between. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many extended family members will forever cherish her memory. Her grandchildren, Chelsie (Jimmy) Stratton, Kaleb Crain, Chad Christiansen, Zoe (Tim) Waswick, Arnold Race (Bekah) Christiansen, Zarin Stone (Amy Martini), Paris Adler (Ben West), and great-grandchildren Jess and Lucas Rogers, Jase Stratton, and Molly Waswick remember her warmth and love as a huge part of their lives.

Joanie’s memory will forever be a blessing to all who knew and love her.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions in Joan Adler’s memory to Temple Sinai (Houston, Texas) or to Chabad of Bucktown (Chicago, Illinois).

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Chevra Kadisha Cemetery, 1601 North and South Rd, in University City, Missouri, at 11am. Shiva will be observed at 3250 Big Bend Rd, Maplewood, MO, on Sunday, February 22, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Monday, February 23, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm; and Tuesday, February 24, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.