Joan V. Hogan

Joan Veree Hogan (nee Laux), extraordinary mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend, died on February 12, 2015, in Westwood, MA. She was 85. Her husband, Thomas Joseph Hogan predeceased her.

Joan was born on September 22, 1929 in New York, NY to David Laux and Evelyn Moulton Laux. She is survived by her twin brother, Jerrold Laux (Marilyn), and three other brothers, David (Elna), Dean (Miryam), and Michael (Marisol). She is also survived by four children, Kathleen Perkal (Richard), Dennis Hogan (Katherine), Brian Hogan (Mary Jo), and Colleen Hawley (John); 15 grandchildren, Matthew (engaged to Jessica Green), Casey, Maggie, Kristin, Erin, Kerry, Thomas, Shannon, Kaitlyn, Marybeth, Brett, Megan, Michael, Julianne and Jennifer.

Joan attended Dalton High School, in Dalton, MA and the College of St. Rose, in Albany, NY. She married Tom on February 11, 1961. Before marrying, Joan worked as a teacher in Japan. After the children were born, she worked as a teacher’s aide, and she helped out with her brother’s entrepreneurial venture, the Kings Park Book and Record Shop. Once she officially retired, she continued helping the family’s businesses…spending many hours launching Cartoon Cuts, which was based in Springfield, VA.

Joan was a member of Holy Spirit Parish for many years, and she was very involved at Holy Spirit School, where all four children attended. She worked for a variety of philanthropic organizations, including FISH for the underserved population, and The Thrift Shop that benefitted Fairfax Hospital. She traveled extensively in retirement, making trips to Hong Kong, Ireland, England, France, South America, Mexico and Canada.

Despite her diagnosis of dementia at age 80, Joan continued to touch many lives…from the staff at White Oak Cottages in Westwood, MA to her children and grandchildren. She lived by the mantra, “Be kind…how you treat people has a lot to do with how you will be remembered.”

Visitation will be held Monday, February 16, at DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME, 520 South Washington Street, Alexandria from 4-7 PM. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 17 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Annandale, at 10:30 AM. Interment to follow at Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.