She was born to the late John and Ethel Griffin, February 23 1944, in Bessemer, Alabama. She was married to the late Ralph
Kirkendall.
Joan worked at Boston University as Associate Provost and Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs. She had over thirty years of experience in research administration and was a member of the National Council of University Research Administrators. She served on the Reagan Presidential Sector Survey on Cost Control and was recently recognized by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Registry of Outstanding Professionals in the field of education.
In her free time, she enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.
Joan is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ellen Kirkendall Hummel and Scott Hummel, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; her sister and brother-in-law, Becky Griffin Bates and David Bates of Birmingham, Alabama, and her 2 granddaughters.
In lieu of flowers, Joan’s family is requesting that donations be made to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
A private burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama.
