Joan L. Steffens

Joan L. "Joanie" (D''Alessandro) Steffens, 56, of Peabody, Mass., died peacefully after a 10-year battle with cancer Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, surrounded by her family. She was born in Bethesda, Md., in April 1954, the daughter of Jino and Eileen (Ryan) D''Alessandro of Peabody. She had resided in San Diego, Calif., for seven years before moving to Peabody. Joanie was a graduate of Bishop Fenwick High School in 1972 and Northeastern University in 1977, with a degree in Pharmacy. She had been a registered pharmacist, both in California and Massachusetts. In 1981, Joanie went to Haiti for two-and-a-half years as a medical missionary to help the people. While in Haiti in 1982, she met Ned - they were married on Jan. 7, 1984. They had been missionaries with TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) and served in Spain for the past 19 years. Joanie lived and worked as a pharmacist from 1983 to 1987. She and Ned also attended Grace Church in San Luis. Joanie was a woman of deep personal faith in Christ, who by her example of patience and perseverance, was able to help others through her spiritual gifts of love and understanding. She cherished her family and nourished each of them and all those she came in contact. She made it a point to always remember birthdays and special occasions of the family with a letter or card, showing her affection for them. She was an avid reader and enjoyed outdoor activities of taking walks and going on hikes. Surviving Joanie, besides her loving husband of 26 years, Ned; are her parents; two sons Timothy Steffens, a student at Grove City College, Pa., and Michael Steffens a grad student at Georgia Tech, Georgia; and daughter, Sarah Steffens, a Registered Nurse of Peabody. She is also survived by eight brothers and sisters, and their spouses: Jim and Elaine D''Alessandro of Manchester, N.H.; Bob and Maureen D''Alessandro of Danvers, Mass.; Ed D''Alessandro of Salem, Mass.; Michael and Mary D''Alessandro of South Hadley, Mass.; Mary D''Alessandro and her partner, Joanne Harris of Southwest Harbor, Maine; Anne and Mark Tomchik of Peabody; Cathy and Steve Eastburg of California, Md.; and Margie and Frank Carber of Springfield, Va.; several nieces and nephews; and a grandniece and grandnephews.