Joan Helen McCormack

Joan Helen McCormack was born December 6, 1933 @ Holy Family Hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey to Clarence Mosenthine & Anne Nolan. She was the youngest of three sisters; Lorrraine,, Charlotte and Joan. The girls lost their mother when they were very young. Joan just 7 years old. She and her sisters lived difficult childhoods without their mother. The girls relied on each other and formed a devoted closeness that would last their entire lives. When Joan was 14 years old, her older sisters took an apartment together, so their Aunt Francis who had already raised two sons, took in young Joan and cared for her until she married. It was 1951 when Joan, now 18, met William (Bill) McCormack at a Neighborhood Dance,….While Joan has always claimed that at first meeting, she thought him a rouge, it was love at first sight for William. His first words to Joan as the event started were ,.. “I think you should come with me.” Evidently, she was quickly won over, for they were married on November 22, 1953 in Sacred Heart Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. Children quickly followed; a daughter; Patty Ann & and a son, Tim. In 1959 Joan & Bill made the inspired but heartbreaking life decision to leave their sisters and brother, and move to California in search of better work opportunities for Bill. They packed everything that would fit, and drove across the country in a 1956 Chevy Sedan. They landed in Garden Grove were Bill’s Aunt Teddy lived & soon after They bought their first house in Stanton, in 1959.Joan became the Consumate Housewife & Mother in the 60’s working hard & keeping house. Bill’s career building the Magic Kingdom made family trips to Disneyland an important part of the fabric of their lives, Days spent in Laguna, Newport and Huntington Beaches, & cocktail hours with the close circle of Neighbors rounded out their lifestyle as a young family. This suburban bliss was punctuated with the landmark trips ‘Back East’ to see their Families, ….Highlighted with the ‘Summer of 62’ cross country trip to Jersey City in a brand new 62Chevy Impala Convertible !...and with the much anticipated, and very memorable visits to California by all the East Coasts Families.When Patty Ann & Tim grew old enough to fend for themselves in 1969 Joan went to work as an Accountant with Lucky Stores in Buena Park . She worked that job as Senior staff until her retirement in 1985. Those were the years Joan & Bill enjoyed Family, Friends & Neighbors with frequent camping trips in the ‘Camper’ to Huntington State Beach ,treks up the mountains to Lake Arrowhead, & the weekend day trips to the Spa in Desert Hot Springs & Palm Springs . Joan & Bill left Stanton to buy a home in Fullerton in 1979. This home became the Epicenter to all of the Family events, ‘Back East Family’ vacations & milestones to follow.Joan lived life to the fullest. She was adored as Wife, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Godmother and Friend. She passed away at her home in Fullerton surrounded by Family. She is survived by Husband William of 65 years of Marriage, Daughter Patty Ann Wallace, Son Tim McCormack, Son in law John Wallace, Daughter in law Janine McCormack, Grandchildren Alison Flood, Jonathon Wallace, Taylor McCormack, Logan McCormack, Brett McCormack, Grandson in law Travis Flood, Great Grandchildren Hayley & Harper Flood.She is held in our hearts. We are all fortunate for the Love & Wisdom she so freely gave to us !