Joan Elizabeth Witter

Updates on Joan’s Celebration of Life, Sunday, May 15, 2022:

Please wear something bright and festive, and join us:

Sunday, May 15, 2:30 pm,

Service at Okemos Community Church, 4734 Okemos Road, Okemos, MI 48864

* We welcome and encourage in-person attendance (masks are now optional, COVID vaccination still requested).

* If you are unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed at https://bit.ly/JoanWitterMemorial. This is the OCC YouTube Channel, which will go-live 10 minutes before the service at 2:20 pm. The service will also be posted on that website for future viewing if desired.

Sunday, May 15, 4:00 – 6:00 pm,

Party at Kellogg Center, 219 E Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48864

* We welcome everyone to join us after the church service for libations and light snacks.

* Joan’s family will greet guests at the Kellogg Center, not the church.

* Around 5:00 pm we’ll start storytelling and toasts. Guests are invited and encouraged to share their stories and remembrances about Joan (time permitting).

* Masks are now optional; COVID vaccination still requested.

* Park in the adjacent structure (to the south); vouchers available at the party.

Born October 28, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan to Ruth Edna Dietrich Denny and Frederick Franklin Denny, Joan Elizabeth Denny lived her early years in the Detroit area and moved with her family to Park Ridge, IL while a freshman in high school, in 1953. After graduating from Maine Township High School in 1956, she attended Michigan State University, where she was a proud member of Delta Gamma sorority. She excelled in her studies, was a member of the inaugural class of the MSU Honors College, and received numerous undergraduate honors. Selection to Mortar Board, a national women’s all-university organization honoring leadership and academics, is the achievement of which she was most proud. She graduated from MSU in 1960 with a B.S. (high honors) in home economics.

While a student at MSU, she met Richard “Dick” Witter, a veterinary student, who graduated with his D.V.M. from MSU in 1960. While Dick began graduate studies at Cornell University, Joan taught high school home economics in nearby Cortland, NY during her first year after graduation. The following year she worked as a nutritionist for the National Livestock and Meat Board in Chicago. On June 30, 1962 Joan and Dick were married in Park Ridge, IL and returned to Ithaca, NY, where Dick completed his Ph.D. in 1964. They moved to East Lansing, MI in 1964 and to Okemos, MI in 1965, where she resided until her death.

Joan began her long career with the Cooperative Extension Service at Cornell University from 1962-1964, later at Michigan State University from 1964-1969 and 1976-2001, serving as a research assistant, extension assistant and ultimately, after earning her M.A. degree in Adult and Continuing Education from MSU in 1988, as a Program Leader in the Family/Consumer Sciences division of MSU Extension. She was a dedicated and effective educator and took pride in her professional work.

That said, her role as mother of Jane (1965) and Steven (1969) took precedence. She was the “spunky” mom loved by kids and parents alike. Bold, classy, open-minded and fearless, her example of leadership, charity, and positive thinking inspired her children, grandchildren and husband to become their best selves.

To her last days, she remained curious, whether learning about technology from her grandchildren or about other cultures from her extensive world travels and the foreign students or scientists who joined the family table on many occasions.

Joan knew how to nurture friendships and could organize anything. Known for creative entertaining, artsy clothing and instigating outrageous events, Joan was a creator of community. She opened her home frequently to groups large and small.

Joan was an accomplished potter (Greater Lansing Potters’ Guild) and gardener (a Master Gardener with a show-worthy home garden), a community volunteer (Lansing Symphony, Zonta, Meals on Wheels), patron of the arts (founding board member of Friends of Absolute Music and frequently seen at Wharton Center performances of all kinds), and an active member of P.E.O., the Lansing Woman’s Club, Okemos Community Church and innumerable small social groups, many of which she helped initiate.

From the beginning to the end, Joan valued family and friends above all else. She treasured time with friends. Her love and support for her children and grandchildren was unwavering and will always be remembered.

Joan leaves behind many who loved her dearly, including Dick, her devoted husband of almost 60 years; daughter Jane Witter Ridings (husband Eric) of Colorado Springs, CO; son Steven Franklin Witter (wife Cate) of Castle Rock, CO; grandchildren Grace and Christian Ridings of Ann Arbor, MI and Sam and Griffin Witter of Castle Rock, CO; sister Barbara Denny Dumont of Sterling, MA and brother Robert Denny of LaGrange, IL.

Joan asked that any contributions in her memory be made to the Okemos Community Church Endowment Fund (PO Box 680, Okemos, 48805) or the Greater Lansing Potters’ Guild (PO Box 965, E. Lansing, 48823 or https://www.greaterlansingpottersguild.org/).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Witter family.