Joan Ochs

Joan Ochs went to be with Our Lord on Monday March 21st at the age of 92.  She was a wonderful, vibrant and loving woman, wife and mother.  Joan was preceded in death by her husband Bob after 66 years of marriage and by her daughter Sue.  She is survived by her daughter Peggy (Bill), son Bob, grand daughters Jill and Stephanie and great grand children Katie, Ashlyn, Ihlan, Irie and Ocean.  Prior to Joan marrying Bob in 1950, an Air Force pilot, Joan was a student at Clark College in Dubuque, IA where she had received a music scholarship for piano.  A beautiful memory for Joan was when she played “Clair de lune” by Debussy in a recital for a Russian Prince.  Once married, Bob and Joan began to raise their family. And life in the military took them to many exciting places including 4 years in Japan.  When Bob retired in 1970 from McCoy AFB, the family moved to Winter Park.  It was then that Joan became very involved with the community, working with many non-profit organizations.  Due to her love of music she served on the boards as President of the Civic Theater Guild and President of the Opera Guild.  She became a member of the Winter Park Garden Club in 1972 and in later years became the President.  Joan also served on the board of the Federal Federation of Garden Club's and eventually became the President in 2005.  She enjoyed taking on a challenge that would make a difference within the communities. Her focus at that time was on the preservation and conservation of our Florida waters.  She also enjoyed competing in floral design for the Garden Club and became a credited floral design judge.  Other organizations: President of Morning Star School auxiliary, member of the University Club of Winter Park, Tiger Bay and Florida House on Capitol Hill.  Always wanting to keep music in her life, Joan enjoyed the Orlando Philharmonic, the opera as well as the Broadway shows in Orlando.  One of her best memories was having seen “Cats” in London, New York as well as in Orlando.  The travel bug was never out of her system and Joan and Bob went on many cruises with friends they had known since their Air Force days.  It was a busy life but one she loved. But she never lost sight of her family whom she loved and was so proud of.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends who knew and loved her.

The Vigil service will be held Sunday April 3rd from 2-5 at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home. 2811 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando.

The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday April 4th at 10:30 in the chapel at St. Peter and Paul Church. 5300 Old Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Joan's name to one of the organizations listed below:

Morning Star School 930 Leigh Ave. Orlando, FL 32804

Florida House on Capitol Hill 1 2nd Street NE, Washington DC 20002

or visit www.floridahousedc.org to make a donation using the drop down in memory of.

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