Joan Brill

Joan Brill, 93, died on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at home in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Joan was born on October 24, 1932, to Dr. J. Russell and Fern (Adams) Bright in Decatur, Indiana. She studied education at Manchester College (now Manchester University) in North Manchester, Indiana, graduating in 1954 and marrying her husband, Wilfred (Will) Brill a week later. They would remain married for 69 years, until Will's death in 2023. Joan taught elementary school in Tippecanoe County for several years before earning a master's degree in education at Purdue.

Joan was a caring mother of two daughters, Andi and Jackie. In 1967, the family moved to Michigan City, where she became active at the Michigan City Church of the Brethren. Joan composed and performed music, even publishing a hymn in The Brethren Songbook, "Speak, Lord, To Us Today." She volunteered her time generously, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader, singing at nursing homes, working as a camp counselor at Camp Mack, providing literacy tutoring, and participating in prison ministries.

As a lover of sweets, Joan stole the show at Christmas by cooking up a huge variety of candies and fudge, which had to be stored in towering stacks of metal tins in the garage. Every evening during the holidays, she laid out delicious displays of Danish fudge, grand opera, mint pinwheels, and two-tone fudge on huge platters. Joan understood that the key to life is balance, which is why she always capped off dessert with a crunchy baby carrot.

Besides sweets, Joan loved paper dolls, and she often attended conventions to show off her impressive collection. Even more impressive were her beautiful hand-drawn dolls, including paper doll versions of each of her grandchildren, complete with their full wardrobes.

Joan leaves behind her two daughters Andi (Todd) Hammond and Jackie (Dave) Teeters; five grandchildren Mel Hammond (Edward Evans), Matt Hammond (Kate Carothers), Teghan Hammond (Jay Holle), Devin Glenn (Nikki Pomeroy), and Caden Glenn; and three great-children Elliot Hammond, Sage Hammond-Evans, and Oliver Hammond. Baby Oliver was born just 14 hours after Joan died.

Joan's loved ones will remember her for her kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness. The family invites friends and loved ones to join them for a memorial service at Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Indiana on March 14, 2026, at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Agape Church of the Brethren.