Joan Louise Maher

Joan was born in Washington, DC to her parents, Essex and Louise Short who proceeded her in death along with her two younger brothers, John (Jackie) Short (1934-1987) and James Short (1935-2023). Joan and her family lived in a modest home during the Depression in Takoma Park, MD where she graduated from Montgomery Blair High School.

Joan married Vern Edward Pierson in 1949 and lived in the DC area when Susan and Colleen were born. After Joan and Vern were divorced in 1963, Joan and her daughters moved into her childhood home, with her parents in a nearby apartment. Joan worked as a school secretary until she married James Maher in 1966 and moved to Virginia Beach where Maureen and Kevin were born.

Joan is survived by her 4 children and their spouses, Susan and Bill, Colleen and Doug, Maureen and Robert, Kevin and Angie, and ten Grandchildren and seven Great Grandchildren.

She lived guided by her deep and abiding faith in God and Jesus, faithfully attending and supporting Emmanuel Episcopal church as a member for many years. Joan served as a Sunday School Teacher and loved serving on the Altar and Flower Guilds with her best friend, Ruth Bates. She also enjoyed serving as a Wedding Coordinator, helping to create many beautiful weddings for her church family here at Emmanuel Episcopal.

Joan always exuded warmth and love and was a devoted Mother and Nana loving each of us deeply and unconditionally. She was adored by each of her grandchildren, including Bill Jr., Kim, Jeff, Phill, Jackie, Ian, Devon, Lila, Emma, Amelia, and each of her Great Grandchildren, Taylor, Ava, Addy, Audrey, Savannah, Haven and Vienna Louise. She always made the time to know each of us deeply. She never forgot a birthday, your favorite color, food or what you were passionate about.

She especially shone at the happy times of our lives, making sure every event was joyously celebrated. Dancing at our weddings, singing on our birthdays and gratefully celebrating the births of the next generation. She was always willing to travel to wherever we were to help us, supporting each of her children and our extended families as we became parents ourselves. Our devoted Mom and Nana spent countless hours rocking and holding each of her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. She taught us all how to love by showering us in her love at every moment of our lives.

She was an unerring friend to so many who have passed on before her, and those who are still able to celebrate her life today. She spread love and kindness to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. She was a great comforter to our family and treasured friends who she loved as they were sick, struggling or dying. Those who were touched by her smile, her laughter, and her love were truly blessed.

We are all better people for having her in our lives and we will always miss her. She will live on in each of us, leaving a legacy of love, thoughtfulness, selflessness and a deep faith in the power of kindness and God’s enduring love.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 13, from 5 to 7 pm at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach.

A Celebration of life will be held Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 2:00 PM at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 5181 Singleton Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 1:00 PM at George Washington Cemetery, 9500 Riggs Rd, Adelphi, MD 20783.