Joan Mehrtens

Joan Dunstan Vroom Mehrtens. On April 6, 1925, a miracle occurred in Lawrence Long Island, New York. 'Baby' Dunstan was born to James Samuel and Eda Kempshall Dunstan. She was later named Joan. Joan attended school in Hewlet Long Island, Brailey School in New York and St. Catherine's in Richmond, Virginia. Upon graduation from St. Catherine's, she enrolled in the Payne Hall School and became a laboratory and x-ray technician. On January 8, 1944 she married Capt. Guysbert B. (Peter) Vroom at St. John's Episcopal Church in Far Rockaway, Long Island, New York. She became the perfect Army wife. She and their four children accompanied Peter on several military tours abroad to Greece and Turkey. In Greece, while Pete served as an Army attache' for the State Department, Joan entertained many official dignitaries. Being fluent in Greek, they became acquainted with King Paul and Queen Frederika and even took care of the King's lion cub for several months before it was transferred to the Athens Zoo. While stationed in Istanbul, she became the Chairman of the American Red Cross volunteers and worked closely with the Turkish Red Crescent. On returning to the United States, the Vroom family finally settled in El Paso, Texas, where Peter retired from the Army at Ft. Bliss, after more than 30 years of service. Joan remained in El Paso after Peter died in January 1977. In 1980, Joan married retired Army Civil Engineer widower, Donald J. Mehrtens. After Don's retirement from El Paso City Employment, they embarked on a worldwide tour utilizing space available on military aircraft. They spent 6 months a year visiting Spain, Sicily, Naples, England, Germany, Greece, Crete, Cyprus, Jerusalem and Turkey. Later they toured the Pacific visiting Australia, New Zealand, Okinawa, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. While traveling stateside, they enjoyed many West Point and family reunions. Everywhere Joan lived and traveled she dedicated herself to serving and helping others. She has many life-long friends throughout the world. A member of the New York Social Register, Joan was also very active in volunteer work and a Daughter of the King at All Saint's Episcopal Church. She was active and held several positions with the Regular Army Officer's Wives Club, The Retired Army Officer's Wives Club, The El Paso Del Norte Chapter of the DAR and PEO. On January 12th, 2008, her temporal life here on earth ended and she embarked on a new and eternal journey to go home to be with our LORD. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don, and is survived by her children Peter and Ellen Vroom, Thomas and Emerita Vroom, David and Sue Ae Vroom, Kathryna Vroom Honsaker, her two stepdaughters, Priscilla Rediker, Susan and Hans Werner, 24 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Joan loved everyone and was very much loved in return. She will be greatly missed. Memorial services will be held on January 25, 2008 at 3:30 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church.