Joan Elizabeth (Wilson) Schava, age 81, passed away May 9, 2017.
Joan was preceded in death by her father, Milton Charles Wilson, and her mother, Rhoda Fernandena (Robeson) Wilson.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; and her daughters, Judy (Gary) Shue, Julia (Rick) Bierley, JoAnne (Gary) Lash and Jenny Gilmore. She is also survived by her brother, Charles (Pam) Wilson; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a niece and nephew; and three great-nieces.
Raising her family took her to many locations in the United States, as well as to Okinawa, Japan. During those travels, she always made many friends and learned as much as possible about her surroundings.
Joan was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for more than 25 years. She was an avid student of history. She enjoyed learning about her ancestors and traveling to their counties of origin.
On one of these trips (to England), she met her husband, Donald. They enjoyed many explorations of “places they had never been before.”
She is also survived by many friends, including her dear friends, Karen and Bob Swanson, as well as Christel and Bob Vedo. These couples felt like family to her and filled a special place in her heart.
In recent years, Joan was a member of a group of high spirited ladies known as “The Red Hat Divas of Columbus.” She enjoyed the hours of fun and friendship she found in their company.
Joan and Don attended The Vineyard Church of Grove City. One of the joys of her life was Don’s baptism there several years ago.
Joan’s life included a variety of roles that she filled with love and enthusiasm. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-aunt. As a girl, she appeared in a Summer Stock theater production in New York as well as doing some modeling.
Her employment was also varied. She was a telephone operator, factory worker, dental assistant and floral designer. Her hobbies and interests were also many. She was a Girl Scout leader, Bible study member, Community Theater actress, painter, collector, and support to many family members and friends.
“She never met a stranger” was never more accurate than when said about Joan.
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This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
