Joan Alexandra Haymarch O'Hara

Joan Alexandra Haymarch O'Hara 1933-2012 Joan Alexandra Haymarch O'Hara passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. She was surrounded by loved ones at her home in Scottsdale, Ariz., after a tough battle with ALS. She and her twin sister, Lois, were born in Stamford, Conn., on August 17, 1933 to Alexander and Gladys Haymarch, joining their older sister, Margaret. She spent her childhood in Brattleboro, Vt., graduating from Brattleboro High School in 1951. Joan attended Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine, graduating with a degree in Political Science in 1955. After working in Boston, at the First National Bank of Boston, she got married in 1957, to David G. Hogan. They had 3 sons, Donald, Mark, and Michael and she and the boys ultimately settled in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1965. It was here, that Joan continued her hard work, and earned her Masters Degree in Education, supporting herself and the three boys by both working a full-time job, and tutoring children, after school. Joan ultimately became a 3rd and 5th grade teacher at Kiva Elementary, where she taught for 18 years. She met and married Robert O'Hara in 1975. Joan was known for her voracious love of life. She was game for adventures, large and small, and never shied from a challenge, be it getting her pilots license, including instrument, multi-engine, and commercial ratings; or becoming a certified scuba diver and going on dives all over the world. She was an avid reader, crossword puzzler, knitter, bowler, golfer, bridge player a lover of jokes, parties, and being surrounded by friends and family. She was all of these things, and more, but what she will be most remembered for were the deep and abiding friendships she had over the years, and never-ending support and love for the people close to her. Joan is survived by her two sons, Donald Hogan and his wife Patty, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Michael Hogan and his wife, Ellen, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her twin sister, Lois MacLeod of Scottsdale, Ariz., husband, Robert N. O'Hara, of Scottsdale, Ariz., eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren and two step-daughters. She was predeceased by her son, Mark Hogan in 1986, and sister Margaret, 1943. FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be held on Friday, March 2 at 2 p.m. at the Mountain View Presbyterian Church on 8050 E. Mountain View Road, Scottsdale Arizona. Reception to follow at 8513 E. Laredo Lane, Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, we respectfully request donations be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014 or to the ALS Association, in Joan O'Hara's name. She lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.