Joanne Seymour

Joanne Seymour of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on August 24, 2021 at the age of 93 after a brief illness. Joanne was extremely proud of her career in nursing and the military, retiring as a full Colonel after 31 years of service in the Air Force. She was much loved by her friends, and her family who considered her the ultimate Aunt.

Joanne was born in Winchester, MA on September 17, 1927, and attended the nursing program at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, graduating in 1948. She obtained her B.S. from New York University and her M.S. from Boston University.

Joining the Air Force in 1951, she saw service in Korea and Vietnam. Among other awards, in 1970 she received The Meritorious Service Medal for “significantly improved training for over 7,000 Medical Service Specialist students,” and upon the completion of her service in 1982, The Legion of Merit for her outstanding service as Command Nurse at Randolph Air Force Base from 1973 to 1982.

Joanne loved to travel, and both during her career in the Air Force, and for 40 years after she retired, was always planning her next adventure. She was a voracious reader and was particularly fond of books on American history, and loved curling up with a good mystery, all while listening to classical music on the radio.

Joanne’s commitment to service didn’t end after her retirement from the military – she spent many an hour volunteering at the San Antonio Public Library cataloging and transcribing items in Texana/Genealogy collection, and as Red Carpet ambassador. She was an avid supporter of public radio and television, and many other cultural institutions in the San Antonio community. Memorial donations can be made to one of these cultural institutions.