Joan M. Myers

Joan was the oldest of seven children born to Joseph and Margaret Wachenheim on March 15th, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Catherine McAuley High School before becoming a confidential secretary with the FBI. Above all else, Joan was a devoted and endeared wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Joan married Robert Eugene Myers on September 8th, 1962. She spent her life creating a home for her husband and four children where everything was lovingly homemade and handcrafted. She cooked every meal from scratch, much of which was grown in her garden, and all of which is replicated still to this day by her children and grandchildren. She knitted sweaters, hats and mittens, sewed matching dresses and curtains, and even made her daughters’ communion dress from her wedding dress. Joan’s homes were filled with the smell of homemade bread, soups and stews, decorated with hand crafted paintings, draperies and needlework, and welcomed family and friends from near and far. She was always there for her family and she created a space filled with warmth and love, where everyone felt valued and welcome.

Joan contributed to the work of several church ministries and was very active in her community. She was a volunteer at St. Charles Elementary School in Staten Island, NY for many years, assisting during lunch periods and bingo games and donating many of her homemade items to be sold in school fundraisers. She cleaned St. Charles Church after masses on Sundays and she visited with the homebound weekly in the community, providing companionship, cooking meals and running errands. In recent years, Joan welcomed parishioners to Our Lady of Lourdes Sunday Masses in Palm Harbor, Florida and coordinated greeter schedules for this important ministry.

Joan had a passion for all thing’s health and fitness. She studied nutrition and was very committed to her daily three-hour exercise regimen. Joan loved the outdoors and spent her free time with her husband, family and friends camping, hiking, bicycling, swimming and gardening.

Joan was faithful to God, her husband and her family. She was kind, caring and compassionate, loving and generous. She was selfless, always putting others first and she was happier to serve than to be served. She was a devoted wife and mother, a loyal friend and a trusted confidante. Joan made the world a better place and her influence will be felt for many years to come.

Joan is survived by her loving husband Robert Myers of nearly 60 years; her children Susan (Garrett) Doering, Catherine (Barry) Hayes, Barbara (Mark) Engler, and Robert (Jennifer) Myers; her twelve grandchildren Garrett (Kelly) Doering, Kendra Doering, Kelly Doering, Erica Doering, Robert Phipps, Megan (Christian) Forcade, Alison (Joseph) Branstetter, Eric Engler, Morgan Engler, Nichole Myers, Robert Myers, and Brooke Myers; two great grandchildren Rory Doering and Anna Doering; and six siblings Margaret (Robert) LaRocca, Richard (Dora) Wachenheim, Joseph (Terry) Wachenheim, Darlene (Kenneth) Gein, Patricia (Joseph) Watson, and Nancy (Michael) O’Brien.

In addition to her family, Joan will be sorely missed by her closest friends Earline Cutolo, Mary Ann Gurrey, Aileen O’Neill Stahl, Barbara O’Neill Corrigan, Phyllis Franey, Madaline Grabala, Renee Anderson, Nancy Klopp, Mara Steponaitis, and Valerie Palmer.

Please join us for a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 750 San Salvador Drive, Dunedin, Florida 34698. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at dignitymemorial.com