Obituary for Joan Perkins Hall (Perkins)
Joan Henrietta (Perkins) Hall died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on June 3, 2023, at
the age of 89, at Emerald Crest Memory Care in Minnetonka, MN.
Joan was born on October 23, 1933, in Baltimore, MD. She graduated from Mount Saint Agnes High School in 1951, Loyola University Maryland in 1954, and went on to be one the first of two woman cytologists trained at Johns Hopkins University. A fiercely intelligent and independent women, Joan had a long, successful, and varied career including working at the Baltimore morgue, training and pioneering cancer detecting techniques in London, and finally opening her own lab in Warren, OH in 1968 where she continued to work until
her retirement in 1993.
Joan's greatest passion was her family. Joan and her husband of 47 years, Lester, had four daughters who were their true pride and joy. Many in Warren best knew Joan as the mom in the yellow van who always found time to run the PTA, attend sporting, dance, and academic events, and tirelessly volunteering wherever she was needed. Joan was a long. time member and actively involved at St. James Catholic Church Warren, Ohio. Her faith and spirituality provided an anchor for her busy family. Over the years, Joan's immediate family has grown to a loving clan of 31, four sons-in-law, twelve grandchildren, their eight partners, and three great-grandchildren.
Joan was a loyal friend, confidant, and advocate. She touched and made a positive difference in so many lives. She always took time to listen, to share and to act. Joan was an accomplished tennis player and swimmer; she loved gardening and music. Even in the last few years of her life when she was struggling with macular degeneration and advanced dementia, Joan could always remember the lyrics to every church hymn and Christmas song and found immense joy in singing whenever she could.
Joan will forever be remembered for her unwavering optimism, kindness, and genuine caring personality. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Joan will be missed by all who knew her.
Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lester Hall. She is survived by her four daughters Joanne (Herb) Buckingham, Susan (Dave) Marcille, Carol (Ted) Ceglia and Leslie (Darin) Hook, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held in Minnesota, a graveside burial service will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Celebration of Life Ceremony to be held at a future date in Warren, OH. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Joan's name to the BrightFocus Foundation, an organization that focuses on Alzheimer's Disease, Macular Degeneration
and Glaucoma. https://support.brightfocus.org/
the age of 89, at Emerald Crest Memory Care in Minnetonka, MN.
Joan was born on October 23, 1933, in Baltimore, MD. She graduated from Mount Saint Agnes High School in 1951, Loyola University Maryland in 1954, and went on to be one the first of two woman cytologists trained at Johns Hopkins University. A fiercely intelligent and independent women, Joan had a long, successful, and varied career including working at the Baltimore morgue, training and pioneering cancer detecting techniques in London, and finally opening her own lab in Warren, OH in 1968 where she continued to work until
her retirement in 1993.
Joan's greatest passion was her family. Joan and her husband of 47 years, Lester, had four daughters who were their true pride and joy. Many in Warren best knew Joan as the mom in the yellow van who always found time to run the PTA, attend sporting, dance, and academic events, and tirelessly volunteering wherever she was needed. Joan was a long. time member and actively involved at St. James Catholic Church Warren, Ohio. Her faith and spirituality provided an anchor for her busy family. Over the years, Joan's immediate family has grown to a loving clan of 31, four sons-in-law, twelve grandchildren, their eight partners, and three great-grandchildren.
Joan was a loyal friend, confidant, and advocate. She touched and made a positive difference in so many lives. She always took time to listen, to share and to act. Joan was an accomplished tennis player and swimmer; she loved gardening and music. Even in the last few years of her life when she was struggling with macular degeneration and advanced dementia, Joan could always remember the lyrics to every church hymn and Christmas song and found immense joy in singing whenever she could.
Joan will forever be remembered for her unwavering optimism, kindness, and genuine caring personality. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Joan will be missed by all who knew her.
Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lester Hall. She is survived by her four daughters Joanne (Herb) Buckingham, Susan (Dave) Marcille, Carol (Ted) Ceglia and Leslie (Darin) Hook, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held in Minnesota, a graveside burial service will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Celebration of Life Ceremony to be held at a future date in Warren, OH. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Joan's name to the BrightFocus Foundation, an organization that focuses on Alzheimer's Disease, Macular Degeneration
and Glaucoma. https://support.brightfocus.org/