Joan Helen Poole

Joan Poole, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and lifelong friend to many, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025, at the age of 91. Born on May 3, 1934, Joan was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a proud graduate of Saint Mary’s Academy. She began her working life with Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania before devoting herself fully to raising her family and creating a warm, loving home.

Joan’s Catholic faith was central to her life. Over the years, she was a dedicated member of several parishes, including Holy Family Catholic Church in Philadelphia, St. Maria Goretti Roman Catholic Church in Hatfield, and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Her devotion to her faith and family shaped the way she lived and how she cared for those around her.

She had a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures and loved spending time reading, crocheting, bird watching, and collecting lighthouses. She enjoyed traveling across the country and camping, and she especially loved sitting around a table playing board games and cards with friends—often with a glass of wine or her signature Canadian Mist on the rocks. Among her favorite pastimes was playing Mexican Train with her family, always making sure everyone knew that the “Florida rules” applied.

Joan took tremendous joy in family gatherings, especially Sunday dinners, where she would catch up with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. These moments allowed her to share stories from her week, hear about the lives of her loved ones, and bask in the joy of watching her great-grandchildren play. She was never shy about showing them off to the other residents where she lived—her pride in her family was boundless.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Robert Poole, and is survived by her daughter-in-law Charlene Poole of Greeley, Colorado; her daughter Donna and son-in-law Stephen Buschmann of Hatfield, Pennsylvania; her son Michael and daughter-in-law Anabel Poole of Huntsville, Alabama; and her daughter Joanne Jones and her husband Don Howell of Thomasville, Georgia. She also leaves behind her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom she adored and celebrated.

Her grandchildren include Brandon Poole of West Virginia; Nicole Taylor and her husband Robert of East Norriton, Pennsylvania; Jacob Poole and his wife Carrie of Greeley, Colorado; Matthew Breedlove of Washington; Jessica Mann of Quakertown, Pennsylvania; Kevin Buschmann and his life partner, Leah O'Neil Hartzel of Hatfield, Pennsylvania ; Bryan Buschmann and his wife Nicole of Towamencin, Pennsylvania; Michael Poole and his wife Madelyn of Huntsville, Alabama; Kristina Martens and her husband Robert of Huntsville, Alabama; and Erik Jones and fiance' Shannah Borders of Bessemer, Alabama. She also had four step-grandchildren, Caleb Howell, Jessica Mann, Paige Kawano, and Katie Hartzel. Her great-grandchildren include Danielle DiAmico of Harrisburg, Major Taylor of East Norriton, Maynard Poole of Greeley, Dylan Breedlove of Washington, Kailyn Buschmann of Hatfield, and Miranda, Walter, and William Martens of Huntsville, Alabama.

Joan cherished visits with her sister Helene and brother Frank and made many happy memories with nieces and nephews during day trips to the Jersey Shore and several European cruises. For many years, she and her late husband Bob spent their winters as snowbirds in Florida, where they built strong friendships and a life full of sunshine and laughter. After Bob’s passing, Joan continued spending her winters in Florida, supported by the devoted friendships she had nurtured over the decades before returning to Pennsylvania each summer to be with her family.

Joan's warmth, kindness, and sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She cherished friendships that lasted more than 60 years, a true testament to her loyalty and loving spirit. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

A service will be held in her honor at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Rd NE Huntsville, AL 35811, on Friday, August 8, 2025 with a visitation at 5 PM and funeral service to begin at 5:30 PM with a reception to follow. Her Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Saturday August 30th, 10:30 at St. Maria Goretti Parish -- 1601 Derstine Rd. Hatfield PA 19440. A luncheon will follow. A private interment will be for immediate family. She will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, alongside her beloved husband.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Amedysis Hospice, Breast Cancer Foundation or Dementia Research.