Joan Loyst Roe

Joan Loyst Roe died gently in the early morning of a full moon, Sunday September 30th. The most important thing we can say about Joan is who she was in her heart. As her granddaughter Heather says, Your Mom makes rock stars seem lamelet the obit rock her beauty, her kindness and endless delight in people, ideas, & adventureso unassuming, yet so vibrant! As her eldest son Phil says, Her gentleness was her strength. Joan is known and loved by many names: Ma, MaMa, Mom, Auntie, Granny, Gran, Nanny, Sister, Cuz, PJ, Gees, Great Granny, Joanie & friend. Her greatest talent was her curiousity and interest in others. She listened to you, she heard you, and she remembered what was said. Joan was born in Napanee, Ontario February 16th, 1922 to Cecil & Gladys Gale Loyst. In her childhood she traveled back & forth from Canada & England twice. At age 6 her parents settled in southwest London. This is where Joan grew up until she married Mayo Roe deceased at Kings Chapel of the Savoy, London in 1946. She worked for Shell Oil on the Strand during the London Blitz & met her future husband, Mayo, on a squash court at the Lensbury Club. Joan traveled ahead of Mayo to the states on what was called a Bride Ship, a journey taking 7 days. She became a proud U.S. citizen a few years later because of her desire to vote and her deep love of this country. While raising 4 children, she worked as a librarian at Perrysburg Jr. High & High School. She loved books! She loved the kids and they loved herbecause she really listened to them. This is who she was at her core. Ours was a family that sat around the dinner table discussing ideas, and when we didnt know something someone was sent to fetch the world book. Joan felt at home at St Pauls Episcopal Church, Maumee, the family joined in the early 60s. She served faithfully on the altar guild for many years, giving her great joy. Additionally she was instrumental in cataloging the library of the church, working there until her death. Pauls Peers was a dear love of hers as was the Wednesday Healing Service and luncheon. In 1977 Joan and Mayo founded Roe Inc where she functioned as the CFO for many years. It is clear that her secretarial & organizational skills contributed to all of her endeavors. A historic gem at 106 E Harrison in Maumee was saved from the wrecking ball when Joan & Mayo purchased and restored it in the 1980s. Loving local history, she adored looking out across the river to Fort Meigs from the porch of that house. She was especially fond of The Black Swamp Conservancy & the new Perrysburg Historic Museum, an ardent supporter of both. Joan, Mayo and her beloved childhood friend, Adrienne, also a war bride who married an Australian, had many adventures traveling the worldfrom Egypt to Alaska and beyond. Over the last decade, Joan went to the Taoist Tai Chi Society twice weekly learning all 108 movements, practicing daily. She was an inspiration to the neighborhood as she walked her dog, Marley, several times a day. She didnt just walk, she strode, arms swinging at her side with a beautiful smile on her face. All noticed when she wasnt out walking. Joan, who bore a striking resemblance to HRM Elizabeth II, was the Reigning Matriarch of a very large multi-continental family & is survived by her sister, Margaret Burgess of Alberta, Canada and her 4 children: Philip Roe Alice, Minneapolis; Mayo Roe, Perrysburg; Elizabeth Pollock Daniel, Maumee; Deborah Carruth George, Maumee; 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; and a host of adored English, Canadian & American rellies Visitation will be in the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home Tuesday October 9th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The Burial Service will begin at Fort Meigs Cemetary north side on October 10th promptly at 1:30. All who wish to come are welcome. The Memorial Service begins at 2 p.m. at St. Pauls Episcopal Church on E. Wayne St in Maumee followed by a gathering in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. There are no words to thank them. Also consider The Black Swamp Conservancy or Perrysburg Area Historic Museum.