Joan K. Green

9/28/21-2/27/11

Joan was born May 1921 in Victor, New York to parents Emmett and Gertrude Guinan Keefe. Joan was born and raised with her nine brothers and sisters in Victor, NY on the cobblestone family farm, now known as the Rowley-Keefe Homestead. After graduating from Victor H.S. and a stint working at Kodak in Rochester, she married her sweetheart Kenneth W. Green. Before moving to Tucson in 1951, they lived and farmed the Green family homestead in Victor, now known as the “Apple Farm”.

During her 60+ years as a resident of the Old Pueblo, Joan raised her children, entertained a constant flow of winter snowbirds from upstate New York, hosted weekend get togethers of cards and games with family and friends, and dished out pearls of wisdom. She was especially proud of her years as an employee of her local school district TSUD. Before retiring, she worked in her children’s former elementary Peter E. Howell as a food service employee, until she found her niche in the mid 1970’s as an educational assistant working with special needs students at Duffy Elementary.

After retiring, Joan particularly enjoyed traveling, trekking as far away as to Turkey, and making numerous summer and winter time sojourns to see her children and grandchildren in Phoenix and Alaska. Everyone was always anxious for a visit from Grams, as they could be assured that one of her tasty apple pies or a batch of her famous Christmas cookies were not far behind.

Joan is survived by her three sisters Regina Coffey, Eileen Ziegler, and Madeline Hawkes, all of upstate New York; her three children, Patricia, John, Thomas, and their spouses Charles, Francie, and Kristin; grandchildren Christian, Victor(Mary) and Aaron(Allyson) See; Catherine and Nicholas Green, Heather, Ryan, Peter(Sharleen), and Emily Green; great grandchildren Patrick, Chloe and Ayden See; Emily, Molly and Noah See and Thane Green.

Joan’s family would like in particular to thank her long time physician Gary Bohay, and her wonderful and loving caregivers of the last four years.

Joan in six words…. witty, gracious, forgiving, endearing, fun loving, and unforgettable.

A family graveside memorial will take place at East Lawn in Tucson on Thursday, March 3, 2011. A celebration of Joan’s life will follow at Patty and Charlie See’s home beginning at 4:00 P.M, located at 5211 N. Via la Heroina (520-296.2219). All the friends and family that shared in her life are warmly invited.

Joan loved children and worked to make life better for those that struggled. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Arizona Adopt a Classroom”, which will direct the donations into the Peter E. Howell El. Library, enabling young children to experience the love of reading. Please mention that it is in Joan’s honor so it gets directed to Howell School. Address: c/o J. Nagle, PO Box 14496, Tucson, Az. 85732