Joann Clark Staat

JoAnn was born in Columbus Ohio on October 24, 1932 to William A. Clark and Florence Nisley Clark who preceded her in death. Her parents decided to give her piano lessons when they heard her picking out songs on the piano at a very early age. She loved playing the Boogie Woogie and played all the popular songs of the 40s, 50s and each decade after.

In 1952 she married Richard Andrew Staat. Together they had three Children, Gloria, William and Drew. In their 72 years of marriage, they had many adventures together raising children, playing tennis, golf, camping, running, ballroom dancing, sailing, painting watercolors, volunteering promoting the arts and were surrounded by a circle of friends they found through their varied interests. She and her husband took to heart “for richer, for poorer; for better or worse; in sickness and in health; ‘til death us do part!”

In later life she played country music and freely offered her keyboard music to events for the Franklin Square Gallery, Oak Island Art Guild and Brunswick Arts Council. She enjoyed playing the piano at her last home, Terra Bella where she liked to play “in the Garden”, “You Are My Sunshine” and the Boogie Woogie, all by ear.

She had a gift for organization and worked at many businesses as a secretary/jack of all trades.

Her favorite and last job of her formal working career was as an administrative secretary for Dr. Calvin Kunin at Ohio State University where she organized yearly materials for a course for other doctors.

She had a heart for animals and took special care of the squirrels and birds in her yard. She was especially attached to her dog Frisky.

JoAnn could also sew and tenaciously made slipcovers for her young family’s furniture as well as sew clothes including doll clothes.

She was a runner, a member of the Hoover Yacht Club of Ohio and became interested in watercolors later in life. She spent countless hours in volunteer work for the Brunswick Art Council, the Oak Island Guild and the Brunswick Art Council. She loved her weekly Tuesday Art class with friends at the Franklin Square Gallery. She was a signature member of the WSNC.

She loved her husband, children, family and friends and looked forward to gatherings together. She enjoyed hosting gatherings and had a knack for making people feel welcome.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son William F. Staat; niece Haven Shelton; brother William Clark (Emily); brother-in-law John Staat; Sister-in-law Joan Staat; father and mother-in-law Andy and Isabel Staat.

She is survived by her husband Richard; Son Drew Staat (Debbie) of Bloomfield Hills, MI; daughter Gloria Staat (Steven Fair) of Longview, WA; Daughter-in-law Rosemarie Staat (children Melinda, Chris, Katie Marie, Stetson Zimmer), Grandsons, Jordan Staat and Zac Staat, brother-in-laws David Staat (Nancy Alexander); Norman Staat; Sister-in-law Shari Staat; niece Sally Biby; Nephew William Brent Clark and many nieces and nephews in her extended family.

In lieu of flowers, send a donation to the Humane Society, Rescue Paws, one of the Organizations for the promotion of the Arts mentioned above or a charity if your choice.

Online condolences may be made to the Staat family at www.whitefuneralservicessupply.com.