Joan Bruckner

1919 - 2016

August 9, 1919 - July 25, 2016 Joan Bruckner was born in Lima Ohio, the only child of Dr. L.W. Olds and his wife Rose and died in Pasadena, California. Joan grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan and attended college in Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, later transferring to Eastern Michigan University in her hometown where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credential. After college she taught kindergarten classes. While a sophomore at Stephens Joan was introduced to Les Bruckner, a star player with Michigan State University football team, which was in Columbia to play the University of Missouri. The Spartans won the football game and Les eventually won Joan's heart. They married in 1942. In 1943 Joan gave birth to a son, Doug. Les played briefly in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals and then took a coaching position in Pasadena where Joan's second son, Scott, was born in 1948. In 1949 Joan and the family moved to Burbank where, in addition to raising her two boys, Joan embarked on a professional fashion modeling career. She represented large department stores at trade fashion shows and in upscale San Fernando Valley restaurants which included the Kings and Queen's Arms. As the boys grew older Joan began yet another career, establishing her own charm school in Burbank in 1958. Later in life Joan taught fashion and grooming classes near downtown Los Angeles and counted among her graduates one student who went on to international fame as a runway and photo model. It was Joan's idea to found a day camp, Bulldog Boys Club, run by husband Les in the 1950s in Burbank. The business was a success and led to establishment of another family enterprise, the Bruckner Swim School in Burbank. In the 1970s Joan began yet another career. After furthering her education with a Masters Degree at Azusa-Pacific College, she opened a practice as a marriage and family counselor in Glendale. She specialized in treatment of agoraphobia (a psychological disorder which triggers anxiety and panic attacks) and was closely associated with the TERRAP organization. Joan was a frequent guest on local Los Angeles television shows at a time when awareness of agoraphobia was gaining momentum. Inspired by extensive travels in Europe, Joan pursued a renewed interest in fine art. She eventually became an accomplished oil painter, focusing primarily on landscapes and florals She exhibited at Descanso Gardens in La Canada-Flintridge, and local art shows in Pasadena and Glendale. Even up to last year she continued painting and exhibiting with her work featured at the Villa Gardens Residences in Pasadena and the Front Porch gallery in Carlsbad, California. And she enjoyed a busy social life with her many friends the Villa as well as participating as an active member of the La Canada Flintridge Thursday Club. No matter which one of her many professions and outside interests Joan pursued, her top priority was always the loving care of her two sons --uppermost in her mind and never neglected. A memorial service was held August 3, 2016 at Villa Gardens attended by friends and family. Joan rests in peace with her beloved husband Les in the Columbarium of Tranquil Memories, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, California. Joan is survived by her sons Doug and Scott and daughter-in-law Dona and her grandchildren Andrew, Aleece, Anya, and Amanda and great grandchildren Jack, Jake and Jia.