Joan Karen Reed was born March 11, 1945 in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Her father, Clarence Russell Reed, was a steel worker and her mother, Margaret Anna Aschenbach Reed, a court reporter. She had one older brother, Karl Reed. Joan grew up always wanting to join her friends in Girl Scouting, but they belonged to a troop with different religious beliefs than those of her family, and thus never became a scout as a girl. She loved animals, especially her schnauzer named “Judy” who lived for 21 years and reportedly tried to blow bubbles with bubblegum. Joan was an avid collector and donated to multiple charitable organizations. After high school Joan helped move her parents from Ohio to Rosemead, California. Joan commuted on the 210 freeway and worked for a textile manufacturer selling fine laces. Eventually Joan changed her commute and began working for Palmdale Hospital in admitting. Joan moved to the Antelope Valley and was spotted one night on a double date at the bar room of the Desert Inn. She could not convince her date to dance, but little did she know, her future husband was at the bar ready to dance the night away. Wilfred and Joan hit it off and soon he fell in love with her beautiful blue eyes. They were married in Mazatlán, Mexico, on September 14, 1984, and had a repeat wedding ceremony with friends and family in April of 1985. Soon after, Palmdale Hospital announced it was closing and Joan dedicated herself to motherhood. Sharon Bowers was born May 17, 1986 and Joan decided to volunteer from pre-school through elementary school, always helping Sharon’s teachers however she could. After multiple refusals to leave Rosemead, Joan succeeded in convincing per parents to move to the AV after the birth of their granddaughter. With the support of Wilfred, Clarence and Margaret relocated to a nearby home where Joan would eventually prepare dinner for them most nights, assist with daily activities, and help with doctors’ appointments. When Sharon was in Kindergarten, Joan received a flyer for joining Girl Scouts and seized the opportunity to co-lead a troop. Joan would eventually become not only the troop leader, but a coach, recruiter, service unit manager, awards committee leader, and lifetime member after progressing from Daisy level all the way through Senior Scouts with Sharon. She motivated her daughter and fellow troop members to earn their Girl Scout Gold Awards. Joan loved the organization so much that she stayed on after Sharon left for college to help other leaders form troops. For her dedication and passion she was awarded the Rosemary Lee honor. Convinced by her longtime friend Marlo Ann Butler, Joan agreed it was time to transition to an adult circle of friends and joined Beta Sigma
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