Ms. Joan Mary Anderson

Joan was a dedicated parent of four, grandparent of five, and great-grandparent of one.

When her children were young, the family of six moved from Michigan to Plantation, FL. While raising her active kids and managing the household, she built a thriving real estate career, earning Million-Dollar Club recognition through hard work and perseverance – the same qualities she brought to her personal and family life.

Joan was born on May 15, 1933, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Mary Ann Mason and Ernest Edwin Batten. She was baptized at 3 days old at St. Cuthbert Church, an Anglican congregation.

Joan’s father was born in 1905 in East Dulwich, England – part of the greater London area; his family had ties to London dating back to the 1700s. At age 6, he emigrated to Canada aboard the U.S.S. Canada, where he later met his wife, Mary. In his 20s, Ernest learned the carpentry trade, regularly crossing the U.S. border into Detroit, Michigan to work. In 1937, four-year-old Joan immigrated to the United States with her family when they moved permanently to Plymouth, Michigan.

Her father eventually built homes in southeastern Michigan, including many around Hubbard Lake where the Battens owned a lake home. The Battens were a Masonic family – her father was a Mason and her mother and Joan were Eastern Stars, in the Plymouth Chapter of the Michigan Masonic Lodge.

While attending Plymouth High School, Joan was active in many clubs including Choir, participating in performances such as the Glee Club Festival and 6-B League Music Festival – a regional high school band and orchestra competition-festival. She was an active member of the Y-Teens, where she helped lead camping trips and social events.

Joan graduated from high school in 1951 and met her future husband, Herbert Gus “Andy” Anderson, when attending military social functions. Andy enlisted to serve his country as a U.S. Air Force Air Police officer during the Korean War, carrying out his duties in hazardous areas. He earned the Korean Service Medal with 2 Korean Bronze Battle Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

After their marriage, Joan worked as a secretary, while Andy began a career in electronics at the same company - Burroughs Corporation manufacturing plant in Plymouth. Their time at the plant was part of American innovation with the development of the coding leading to modern day computers. Today, the company has morphed into the global technology company, Unisys. Andy was known for his ability to build almost anything and to repair nearly any electrical device. His grandson Andrew was named in honor of his grandfather.

Joan and Andy were married on August 7, 1955, in Plymouth, Michigan where they started their family, with four children: David, Marianne, Lisa, and Cynthia.

As a young, growing family, they enjoyed boating and fishing at her parents’ home on Hubbard Lake. After swimming, Joan would have the saltshaker ready to pour on the lake leeches that attached to Marianne and David. They also enjoyed fishing for catfish at night as a family.

When Cynthia was one, they moved to Plantation, Florida to escape the cold Michigan winters, purchasing a new home with a pool. As non-swimmers, Joan and Andy were determined that their children would learn how to swim. They did, and they ended up spending many hours enjoying the pool. Joan made sure the patio was always clean, scrubbing it barefoot in muriatic acid.

In Florida, Joan passed the Realtor® exam and thrived in the profession for over a decade. She spent her evenings pouring through real estate MLS listings for her clients before the age of computers. She built a loyal clientele, with many referring their friends and family to her, while also delighting in helping young couples buy their first homes. One young couple arrived with jars of coins for their down payment, and Joan sat beside them, rolling coins. She also enlisted the help of her children in cleaning up properties she was listing. She believed buying a home was one of life's biggest investments and treated every client—and every transaction—with the care it deserved. Her commitment often meant long days, weekends, and even working while on family vacations.

Joan and Andy also owned two businesses in Florida – Elegant Drapery & Drycleaning in Hollywood and Annie’s Homemade Ice Cream in Pompano Beach.

Although they both worked long hours, they made time to take their family on many vacations, including Sanibel Island and the Smoky Mountains. They eventually purchased a timeshare at Indian River Plantation on Hutchinson Island on the east coast of Florida, where they took annual beach vacations.

Holidays were often celebrated with extended family, with a Thanksgiving feast that included a vast array of flavorful dishes. Joan was an excellent cook, and this really showed at Thanksgiving.

Christmas was another special time for the family; their living room always overflowed with presents under the silver tree with color wheels. Joan and Andy would stay up all night wrapping gifts, one time falling asleep before putting the gifts under the tree, until they were woken up the next morning.

After retiring their silver tree, an unexpected holiday guest was discovered when Andy was removing the live tree in January – a black snake poked its head out from the branches, much to Joan’s dismay.

Joan was devoted to the raising of her children. She encouraged her kids to be involved in extra-curricular activities, such as music, running, cheerleading, dance, and church groups. Each of Joan’s children learned how to play a musical instrument. David played the trumpet; Marianne and Lisa learned the organ; and Cynthia took up the clarinet. One of the main features when entering the home was the organ that sat proudly in the living room.

Joan was proud that all of her children attended college, something that she wasn’t able to do. David studied criminal justice and psychology at Broward Community College. Marianne attended the University of Florida and University of South Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. Lisa received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and public relations from the University of Florida and a master’s in business from Harvard University and studies at MIT. Cynthia received bachelor’s degrees in biology from Stetson University and psychology from University of Colorado and a master’s in mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University.

Joan gave her children space to express their individuality – within reason – and she rarely panicked, not even when she found Lisa piercing her own ear or Marianne giving herself the popular Farrah Fawcett haircut. She also maintained her composure when her children were ill or hurt, whether it was David being hit by a car and breaking his collarbone, Marianne splitting her head on the parking lot asphalt, Lisa being swarmed by fire ants and breaking her arms multiple times, or Cynthia rolling her car over a cliff in Colorado.

Joan frequently cared for her children with simple acts, starting when her children were young -- sewing matching dresses for Lisa and Cynthia for Easter. And continuing into their college years when she would polish Cynthia’s shoes when she was home from college. When Marianne experienced pregnancy complications, Joan frequently flew across the state to be with her, eventually moving there to help care for her premature granddaughter.

Joan’s grandchildren also benefited from her sewing skills, including the famous Halloween bee costume, that was passed down the line from the eldest grandchild to the younger ones. Joan was a proud grandma and loved each of her grandchildren dearly, even if she didn’t leave much batter in the bowl for them to lick when baking cookies.

Joan was a woman of faith and attended Christian churches through the years. Her children were raised attending Sunday church, youth groups, and Christian summer camps. She taught her children common sense, basic morals, and responsibility. Joan knew these values would help her children be successful in life.

Joan spent her life working hard and providing care and support for her family in whatever way she was able.

Joan was preceded in death by her former husband Herbert “Andy”, parents Mary and Ernest, brother Ed, and granddaughter Lillian Vazquez. She is survived by her children – David Ernest Anderson (Liliana) of Safety Harbor, FL; Marianne Denise Anderson of Holiday, FL; Lisa Anne Anderson of Franklin, TN; and Cynthia Anne Anderson of Deltona, FL. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Brittany Anne Anderson, Tiffany Anne Hardin, Cassandra Anne Anderson, and Andrew Joseph Hardin and great-grandchild Sophia Marie Vazquez.

Joan was able to be cared for at home for the last two decades of her life, and the family expresses gratitude to Marianne and Cynthia for providing that loving care in their homes. She was able to be cared for and pass in a family home with dignity.

Joan will be laid to rest beside Andy in the mausoleum, where they will be remembered together. Forever and ever, Amen.

Private family services will be held on Friday, August 21 at Fred Hunter Funeral Home in Davie, FL. Immediately following will be the interment at Fred Hunter Cemetery.

In honor of Joan’s long life, her family encourages you to spend time listening to or playing music; wearing her favorite color – a peachy-pink; pursuing a career dream; or doing something unique to yourself – your version of painting the basement stairs turquoise.