Joan M. Haase

September 2, 1933 – February 12, 2021

" Celebrate my life. I am ok. I know how much you loved me. Thank you for all your kindness.  This is a journey of life for each human to take. Your journey is a new one without my presence. I will be by your side. My love is alive. Go and be happy, and live your life with no regrets. I am well."

Joan was born September 2, 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts to John Gaffney and Mary Corbett Gaffney. She grew up in Newton, Massachusetts.

Upon graduating from Saint Bernard's High school, Joan worked for Liberty Mutual in Boston, Massachusetts and attended Boston University. While living in Boston, she met the love of her life Marv at a party. They married March 16, 1958.

After Marv was discharged from the Navy in 1959, they moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. They eventually moved to Madison, Wisconsin where she worked as a writer for Visual Education Consultants to put Marv through college. She wrote scripts for filmstrips and wrote current news quizzes that were printed in newspapers throughout Wisconsin.

They moved to Bridgeton, Missouri in 1963 where their son Scott was born a year later. In 1965, they moved to Carmel, New York. Shortly after their daughter Laura was born in 1967, they moved to Yorktown Heights, NY.  In Yorktown, Joan was actively involved with the Catholic Church, wrote articles for various civic organizations for the local newspaper, socialized with neighbors and the friends she met through church while enjoying being a stay-at-home Mom to Scott and Laura.

In 1972, Joan and family moved to LaGrangeville, New York, in Dutchess County. There she worked in real estate and as a Resource Consultant for Dutchess County Social Services and attended Dutchess County Community College, which led to her interest in local politics. She ran for a seat on the County Legislature and spent many weekends campaigning door-to-door. She lost to the incumbent in a very tight race.    She enjoyed hosting and participating in many neighborhood parties, watching Scott and Laura's sporting events and volunteering backstage for many community plays.

Joan and Marv moved to Raleigh, NC in 1989 where she worked as a volunteer at Western Wake Hospital. She joined the Newcomer's club and made many lifelong friends and spent her time becoming an avid bridge player.

They moved to Clermont, Florida in 2000 to enjoy their retirement. She enjoyed playing bridge and was an active member of the "Red Hats," The Women's Club, and she and Marv traveled the country and abroad including trips to Germany and Ireland to visit the countries of their ancestry.

Joan passed away on February 12, 2021 at home, peacefully surrounded by family. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary, her sister Marie and her baby brother, John, who died in childbirth.

She is survived by her loving husband Marv of 63 years; her son, Scott and his wife Mittie-ellen; daughter, Laura;  grandchildren, Erika and Corbett; her sister, Anne and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service scheduled at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont on March 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM with her final resting place in the South Florida National Cemetery on March 19, 2021 at 11:00 AM.

Link to live stream for memorial service: https://vimeo.com/515299581/bda1734bdb

In lieu of flowers, and due to restrictions, the family requests donations be made to Cornerstone Hospice in Tavares, Florida. Our family wants to thank all of our family, friends and caregivers for your love, prayers, thoughts and support during this time.