Joan felt privileged to be born into a middle-class family with three older sisters and a mother and father who cared. She was born Oct. 5, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio. In the 1930s, Youngstown was a thriving steel mill town with a bustling economy. Its downtown perimeter had a Carnegie Library, a Butler Art Museum and three 10cent movie houses. They were within walking distance or accessible by public transportation.
Having been educated in the public schools of Ohio, Joan attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She left college after her sophomore year to marry her teenage sweetheart, Sidney, who predeceased her. She followed him to the Army Chemical Center where he served during the Korean War. After the War, Joan accompanied him to Johns Hopkins University where he earned his ScD (Doctor of Science). During that time, Joan taught in the Baltimore County Public Schools.
Daughter, Amy Harshman Green (Don) now of Brentwood, Tennessee, and son, Dr. David Harshman (Carol) now of New Bern, N.C., were born in Baltimore. The young family of four moved to Nashville in 1959. During that period, to learn about her new city Joan joined the League of Women Voters, serving on the board and participating in many voter education activities. Daughter, Rachel Harshman (Michael Earley) now of Dublin, Ireland, joined the family.
Joan was introduced to the recorder by friends and for many decades played recorder on Thursday evenings.
In her 50s, Joan returned to university to complete her undergraduate degree. Tennessee State University invited her to return again to earn her Master’s of Art in Literature. One degree requirement was to take a foreign language. Joan chose French and discovered a love of the language. With her husband accepting a position as a visiting professor at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France, Joan embraced France. While there, an Alliance Français group was formed in Nashville, which Joan joined immediately upon her return from France. She became a board member, served on various committees and originated several conversation groups along with a small French library.
In addition to her children, Joan leaves seven grandchildren who have been the great joys of her life. They are Chelsey Harshman (Cincinnati, Ohio), Ailie Green (Brentwood, Tennessee), Lisa Harshman (New Bern, N.C.), Sidney Harshman-Earley (Dublin, Ireland) Brandon Green (San Juan Puerto Rico), Shalva Harshman-Earley (Dublin, Ireland) and Simon Harshman-Earley (Dublin, Ireland).
Funeral Services were held Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Congregation Micah, 2001 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville.
The family requests that you honor Joannie’s life through your kindness to others. Donations in her memory may be made to Congregation Micah in Brentwood, Tennessee, or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Harshman family.
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