JOAN MARIE BRYANT
Aug. 30, 1927-Sept. 13, 2011
Joan was born in Yonkers, N.Y., to Joseph and Catherine Aussem. She graduated Queen of Peace parochial school in North Arlington, N.J., in 1946. She then worked as a secretary at General Motors Headquarters in New York City a few blocks from her architect father's office in Rockefeller Plaza. Joan joined the Women's Army Corps in 1950 after her fiancé, a USAF pilot, was shot down over North Korea. After completing basic training and signal school, she was assigned to the Korea theater of operations. Joan was one of the few women to receive the Korean Service and United Nations medals for her service in the Korean War.
Joan met her future husband, Walt Bryant, while they were both serving at Camp Stoneman, Calif. They met again on leave in Tokyo, Japan, and on New Years Eve Walt proposed. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1952, they were married. Joan accompanied her husband to his many different postings in Asia, Europe and throughout the United States. She made homes for her family in Okinawa, Japan; Frankfurt, Baumholder, Neubrucke, Erlangen and Nurnberg, Germany; and six U.S. states. Joan worked for the civil service while overseas and was an outstanding employee.
Joan's many hobbies included doll making, crocheting, knitting, dress making, painting, jewelry making and stained glass. Her passion for remodeling and landscaping resulted in our numerous homes being havens of comfort and love for her family and friends.
"Ye shall know them by their fruits."
Joan's life was distinguished by its congruence and benevolence. You never had to guess about her values -- she lived them.
Joan was a gracious, loving, devoted, smart, authentic, caring and generous person. A woman who contributed many of her works to helping the homeless and animal welfare organizations, often taking in and caring for injured and abandoned animals. This selfless giving and dedication to others brought her happiness and fulfillment.
She is leaving many to remember the fine person she was -- her husband, Walt, of Goldsboro; son, Mark and his wife, Laurie, of Fayetteville; daughter, Pamela and her husband, Paul Friend, of San Diego, Calif.; daughter, Denise and her husband, Dewey Powell, of Goldsboro; sister, Muriel Aussem of North Arlington, N.J.; and sister, Sister Mary Thomas of Saint Catherine Convent in Caldwell, N.J. Joan is predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Catherine Aussem; and brothers, Joseph and Stewart.
Joan was recently diagnosed with cancer and valiantly fought to overcome the disease.
The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the professional and caring doctors and staff at the Southeastern Medical Oncology Clinic; the entire fourth floor staff at Wayne Memorial Hospital; and Kitty Askins Hospice.
Joan preferred a donation to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 18, 2011 10:37 AM