Obituary of Joyce Mary Hannan
Joyce Mary Hannan
Born August 17, 1927
Died August 16, 2018
Joyce was born in Willimantic, Connecticut and raised in Coventry, Connecticut and Boston, Massachussets. She lived the last seventeen years of her life in Joliet, Illinois, with her beloved son, John Hannan, Director of Coaching for Roadrunners Soccer Club out of Downers Grove. She was married to her beloved husband, Victor Ryan Hannan, for over 55 years before he died.
Joyce studied nursing at Backus Hospital and worked as a nurse there and at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. After her marriage to Victor she worked as a lab tech and enrolled at the College of William and Mary where she received the Biology of the Year Award. She received her degree in History with honors from Berea College and she received a Masters in Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University where she was an honor student, a grad assistant and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha.
Her love of creative writing led her to be published in magazines and newspapers throughout Kentucky. When Victor retired from his 30 year career as a Naval Officer, they settled in Berea, KY. She worked 30 years for the Berea Citizen where she was a respected and cherished writer and photographer earning awards in both venues. She wrote about a wide range of topics and also had a weekly News Corner and Arts and Crafts articles that were favorites among readers. Her work was also published in the Berea Register and in other newspapers. She loved to research and explore topics that would help better society.
She was a great Naval Officer’s wife and her strength, creativity and resourcefulness carried the family of seven children through when her husband was on long yearly tours of duty. She was a Cub Scout leader and led worship teams in the different places the family lived. In Chicago, she professionally modeled for Marshall Field and G. Fox & Company. She also performed in light opera productions such as The Mikado, community theaters and in civic choirs.
Joyce gave each of her children an opportunity to play music and she was a fun and lively folk singer with countless years of singing around campfires with her children. She imparted a love of travel and nature through the many states the family lived. She instilled a love of lifelong learning by family lessons around the dinner table on subjects such as Greek mythology, unusual animals and their environments and social justice issues. Her leading morning and evening prayers around the dinner table brought comfort to the family. She created plays and dances for her children and their friends to perform in.
Joyce was an active member of the League of Women Voters and she and her husband built homes through Habitat for Humanity. The Berea St. Clare Catholic Church Religious Education Center is named after Joyce and Victor Hannan. She served as a volunteer nurse for the Red Cross and was an engaging speaker and educator for the Kentucky Civil War Round Table. Her kindness extended to serving with the Christian Appalachian Project and of other supportive groups.
She will never be forgotten for her generosity in bringing Christmas baskets to the poor and engaging her children and the children in the neighborhood to sing carols at hospitals and nursing homes. The children always had a better, more thankful Christmas, in giving of themselves to those in need. Joyce’s kindness, unselfish love and care will be greatly missed by her children, extended family, friends and all who knew her.
Joyce is survived by her children, John Hannan, Deborah Maria Hannan, Richard (Neesia) Hannan, Victor Hannan, Joyce Ann Hannan (Roy Stamey), Patrick (Mona) Hannan, Mary (Adin) Redito; grandchildren, Rachel, John, Forrest, Jessica, Michael, Eleanor, Mackenzie, Jacob, Luke, Molly, Jessie, Keegan, and Jake; and great grandchildren, Lily, Henry, Sten and Alana.
She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Victor Ryan Hannan.
Joyce is greatly loved and cherished and is deeply missed by her loving family and friends. May she have safe travels and happiness being at home with Victor and the Lord.
A Memorial Gathering for Joyce Mary Hannan will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018, from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet. Family will receive all family and friends to celebrate her life on Saturday, September 1, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. until her Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m., at St. Jude Catholic Church, 241 W. 2nd Ave., New Lenox. As it was Joyce’s request, cremation rites have been accorded. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
