Joan Joy Swanson (Peterson) 89, of Clermont, Florida, passed away on July 28, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Joan was born September 16, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Gordon and Mildred Peterson, "the best parents in the world", and often spoke of having the best childhood a girl could have.

Joan had a passion for the water that began with sailing with her father in their home-made sailboat and continued with teaching her children to sail on the Chesapeake Bay. She spent many summers at the Jersey Shore as a girl, and with her young family at their beach home in Long Beach Island, New Jersey.

Joan was an avid reader of historical novels, and a Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune enthusiast. Her love of adventure included camping trips with her four children in Vermont, and road trips to Florida to visit her parents.

Joan was a primary school teacher in Pennsylvania and Delaware, until her retirement and move to Florida in 1991.

A talented artist, Joan spent many years as a member, and then president, of the Lake Placid Art League, in Lake Placid, Florida. She moved to Clermont in 2017 to be closer to family.

Joan is survived by her children Susan Smith, Penny Peterson, Robin Dobies (Mike) and David Peterson, grandchildren Tom Dorak, Jr. (Maria), Heather Koppel (Ken), Adam Smith (Lauren), Dana Smith (Wanda), Nick Dobies (Jessica) and Justin Dobies (Suzanne). Joan has 9 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Sadly, Joan is predeceased by her husband, Arthur Swanson, and granddaughter Michelle Dobies.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00am, at Living Hope Church, 950 7th St., Clermont, Florida. The Celebration of Life will also be live streamed at www.livinghope.today/ministries/celebration-of-life .

Joan was a supporter of the ministry of her Searchers Sunday School Class, specifically their building of beds for children who need a comfortable place to lay their head. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sleep in Heavenly Peace Donation Form (donorperfect.net)