Joan Howard

Joan (Ganz) Howard- Loiacono, 88 years old, passed away at the Stuart F Meyer Hospice House in Palm Coast on August 4, 2021, after a brief illness. Joan was well known for her many years of dedication to the Flagler County Art League where she held many volunteer posts. She was an accomplished artist herself and her paintings can be found in the collections of various Palm Coast patrons.

Born on February 3, 1933 in the Bronx, NY, Joan was educated in public schools and, as a talented artist—her first art work was purchased by her high school art teacher—she attended the Pratt Institute in New York City. In 1956, she married Tom Howard, a social studies teacher in Yorktown Heights, NY. They lived in Mahopac, NY, and during this time Joan worked in an insurance agency in Katonah, NY. Tom and Joan were married for 25 years. Throughout this period, Joan continued to study with prominent Westchester, NY, area artists.

In the 1960s, Joan developed yet another passion: She started raising and showing Yorkshire Terriers. As a breeder, she boasted many champions, winning numerous awards around the northeastern region.

In 1993 Joan married Frank Loiacono, a well known contractor in Chappaqua, NY, a union that lasted until Frank’s death in 2009. The couple continued to live in Mahopac and spent summers in Charlestown, RI. They retired and moved to Palm Coast, FL, more than 20 years ago. Seeking an artist community, Joan joined with 17 other artists to open a Group Gallery in Bunnell which supported those artists for a number of years.

It was at the Flagler County Art League, however, where Joan found her true home: She served as a volunteer for the non-profit well into her eighties. She was responsible for organizing workshops, bringing in major artists from around the country to Palm Coast. She has won many awards herself for her paintings and colored pencil art at the shows FCAL has held throughout the years.

Joan will be missed by her many friends from the artist community and her bridge partners who have met every week for many years. Joan lived life on her own terms and was generous with her time for others but most of all she loved her darling puppies!

The family and friends would like to thank Lucy Dougherty who helped Joan for the last few years which allowed Joan to stay at home during some trying times.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Frank and is survived by Frank’s children, Frank, Jr, of Mahopac, NY, Anthony of Mt Kisco, NY, and Denise (Loiacono) Plume of Myrtle Beach, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Joan’s name to the Flagler Humane Society.