Joan Greenberg

Joan Greenberg was born in New York City to Edna and Saul Greenberg on October 28, 1934, the second of four children. Shortly after her birth, her family relocated to Greensboro, NC, where she grew up and attended Women’s College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro), during which time she lost her mother. As a young adult she returned to New York City where she lived for many years in Greenwich Village and held a variety of jobs, culminating in a career in hospital administration. In 1988 she purchased a house in Southbridge, MA from her older brother, Leland, and was very active in that community until her passing from heart disease at age 88 on December 27, 2022. She was particularly involved in the art center, the library, and her local Jewish community.

Joan was very skilled at friendship. She made friends easily and kept them over a period of many years, even into later life, when many still remembered her with cards and letters during the winter holidays. She also maintained close ties with her siblings. When her older brother became ill, she retired from her job and moved back to Greensboro to be with him until his death in 1998. She did her best to steer her younger brother, Norman, away from alcohol, with eventual success. After her younger sister, Zelda (Ruthie), was widowed, she lived with Joan in Southbridge for several years until her passing on September 23, 2022.

Joan was predeceased by her parents and her three siblings, as well as her friend Louis VanDernoot. She is survived by her cousins Toby Parcel (John Gerber) of Raleigh NC, Ted Parcel (Kathy) of Emmaus, PA and their families. The family wishes to thank Martin and Joanne Maketansky and Elba Garcia for their friendship with Joan, and for their support of her during her life. The family is also grateful for their help after her passing. She is buried in the Hebrew Cemetery in Greensboro, NC, close to her immediate family. Memorials may be sent to Temple Emanuel, 1129 Jefferson Rd., Greensboro, NC, 27410.