Joan Daugherty

Arete Joan Daugherty, (Joan), passed away on January 6, 2025. Authentic, strong and extremely intelligent, Joan lived a diverse and interesting life. Joan was predeceased by her husband, (Roy Daugherty), parents (John and Eleftheria Barbas), and brothers (Constantino, Emanuel, George, and Peter).

Born in Detroit, Michigan to Greek immigrants who founded Barbas Candies on Woodward Avenue, Joan was the only daughter and fourth child of five children. Being the only daughter in that part of the 20th century made her strong and independent. She often joked about her brothers making her climb the fence herself, which is why she was so tough.

Mom’s brilliance and toughness were not held within. Her greatness is because she gave those gifts away, e.g. policewoman, counselor, teacher, investigator, volunteer, wife, mother and friend.

Joan joined the Detroit Police Force in the 1950s in the Women's Division, which she often joked was where they relegated her to handle meter maid work, but really were called in to service the special needs of crimes against women and children. The Women’s Division officers were a tight group that stayed in touch the rest of their lives. While at the Detroit Police Department, Joan met her husband and love of her life, Roy Daugherty, also on the Detroit Police Force, and on Friday the 13th, February, 1959, they were married in Detroit. Roy would say he just couldn’t wait one more day, even if it was Valentine’s Day, to marry Joan.

Soon they had three children: Michael (1960), Christine (1961), and Diana (1964), and in 1969, moved to Lake Orion, Michigan. A genetically restless entrepreneur, Joan spent the 1970s selling Avon, substitute teaching and eventually working full-time as a teacher for Lake Orion Schools. She then worked as an IRS agent helping small business owners until returning to the LO school system. In her spare time she completed her Masters Degree in Counseling from Oakland University. Throughout her various endeavors, including all her volunteer efforts, she brought that “take no guff” attitude, demanded the best, and knew her students and clients were capable of more. Her hilarious sarcastic remarks were legendary and she was loved for them.

By the late 1980s, Roy had retired from the Detroit Police Force. After their children had graduated from University of Michigan and Michigan State, Joan and Roy retired to Bonita Springs, Florida. Like most in Florida, there was a fantastic life of golf, socializing and perpetual sunshine, but for Joan service was integral to her lifestyle and she found many ways to give back and to help.

By the 2000s, her grandchildren, Laura and Patrick, arrived, transforming them to grandparent snowbird status living in Northville, Michigan, part of the year and Florida the other part, depending on the snow belt weather patterns and gray skies.

Joan and Roy enjoyed a growing group of friends well into their later years that made their life stimulating and interesting. Roy passed in 2013, and, because of her gregarious personality and love of constant motion, Joan went on to form more amazing friendships that would fill another chapter of her life. It was these friendships and support at Hunters Ridge, family and friends in Michigan, and her constant connection with her children that kept her vibrant, active and engaged well into her 90s. Joan not only had a successful life, she had an interesting life.

Joan is survived by her children Michael Daugherty, Christine Kelly (Gerry), Diana Di Rita (David), 2 grandchildren (Laura and Patrick), and many loving nieces and nephews.

Our home aches for her presence and our hearts are full of love and cherished memories. She was a force that lived life fully and never wanted it to end. Time goes by quickly and there is never enough.

A Chapel service will be held on Saturday, May 10th at 10:00 am at the White Chapel Cemetery, Chapel, located at 621 W Long Lake Rd., Troy, Michigan, to be followed by a reception at 11:30 am and a Memorial Luncheon at Noon at the David Whitney Hotel, located at One Park Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. Inquiries should be emailed to Michael Daugherty at [email protected] .

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Joan’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org