Joan was born March 30, 1934 in Ravenwood Coal Mining Camp near Walsenburg, Colorado to Joseph and Annie (Borrego) Topping. Joan married Alfonso Marquez on October 18, 1947.
Joan absolutely loved people. She never met a stranger and loved to chat. She was an only child so her friends became her kin. She adored her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. There was an innocence about her and she was always very genuine. Joan wasn’t overly religious, but her life displayed the attributes of Christ: faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly goodness, godliness, charity, humility and diligence. Joan was fun-loving; she loved music, celebrations, food and people.
Joan was a homemaker and loved to stay busy. She created many money-making hobbies including cake decorating, baking, crocheting, craft projects, jewelry-making, selling Avon, gardening, and doll-making. She was a great cook and loved to feed her family.
Joan lived her final days at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush, Colorado. The nurses and aides always commented on how even with her failing health she never complained and always had kind words.
Joan was survived by her daughter and husband, Francine and Floyd Virgil, son and wife, Joseph (Joe) and Cathleen Marquez, and son and wife, Allen and Ronda Marquez. Joan is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren (and one more on the way).
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Alfonso Marquez, on April 28, 2001 and also preceded in death by her great grandson, Joshua Kenneth Crouch, on September 15, 2016.
Fond memories of Joan and expressions of sympathy for her family may be shared using the guest book link below.
