Joan Patricia Romero (nee Seitz)

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, Joan Patricia Seitz Romero, of Eureka, Missouri, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and whose lives were touched by her grace, warmth, and compassion.

Born in Alameda, California, on June 4, 1942, Joan was the oldest of four children born to Ralph Watkins and Aileen Seitz. From an early age, she carried a nurturing spirit and a deep love for people-qualities that defined her life. While attending Bishop O’Dowd High School, she met her lifetime partner and one true love, Arthur Glen Romero. Their connection was deep and enduring; together they built a marriage rooted in faith, family, and shared adventure.

Joan and Art were married on August 1, 1964, and went on to enjoy a full and beautiful life together. Their journey took them from California to Washington, D.C., and eventually to the St. Louis area, where they raised their three children-Eric Arthur, Jennifer Aileen, and Kerry Lynne. Though their firstborn, Karin Elizabeth, passed away as an infant, her presence remained an ever-treasured part of their hearts.

Caring for others was Joan’s calling. She earned her RN degree from Providence School of Nursing in California and began her career at Alta Bates Hospital in San Francisco. Later, while Art attended dental school, she worked as a nurse at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Her compassion for patients and commitment to excellence were unmatched.

As her family grew, Joan’s curiosity and drive led her back to school-balancing motherhood, volunteer work, and education with characteristic determination. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, graduating Magne Cum Laude with special distinction as Top in Class, and then a Master of Arts degree from Webster University. Joan went on to build a distinguished career in hospital administration at Missouri Baptist and Deaconess Hospital (Tenet at Forest Park Hospital), where her leadership and dedication left a lasting mark. After her retirement from her first career, Joan continued working as an adjunct with Tenet Hospital and as a call consultant with Lutheran Senior Services.

Joan’s life extended far beyond her career. She poured her energy into her community and her faith. She served as a Boy Scout den leader and Girl Scout leader; she was the first Alderwoman for the City of Eureka and was an active member of the Jaycee Wives and Wednesday Club. In 1976, she was recognized as Eureka’s Most Outstanding Young Woman. Joan also worked tirelessly to start the Eureka Project to bring a new library to Eureka, she was a founding member of the Harvest Moon Run, and she was involved in a project to save the bridge in Times Beach.

Most of all, though, she was a devoted and engaged member of Most Sacred Heart Church, where she found great strength, purpose, and fellowship. Joan served on Parish Council, she was an integral leader to expand and move the Fall Festival outdoors, she volunteered countless hours to support bingo, Fish Fry Fridays, and cleaning of the church. She also participated in several facets of the Women’s Club, including the Funeral Planning Committee and the rummage sale.

Joan had a lifelong passion for horses. As a teenager, she spent hours riding the hills of Bay-O-Vista on her horses Cinnamon and Major. She treasured these times and often reminisced with others about them. In her later years, Joan expanded her love of horses from riding to Thoroughbred horse racing under the tutelage of Clinton Glasscock, Jenny’s devoted partner for many years. Joan had the opportunity to attend the Kentucky Derby several times, she loved visiting the horse farms of Kentucky, tolerated Art’s love of Fairmont Park, and was part owner of Smarten Destiny, a racehorse. During her final months, Joan especially enjoyed joining her cherished friend, Jessica Gullberg, to pet and visit horses locally. Other activities Joan held dear included working in her garden - especially pulling weeds, baking - her son, Eric, particularly loved her apple pie, and building puzzles and playing board games with her grandchildren. Somehow, she managed to win every game “fair and square” and not tick anybody off in the process.

Joan loved her family deeply. She was a devoted wife, a loving and supportive mother, and a kind and caring mother-in-law who welcomed everyone as family. Above all, she treasured her title "Grandma Joan," and had a special and enduring bond with each of her grandchildren. Grandma Joan was not only the title for her eight official grandchildren, but also many others who have cherished memories with her.

Joan is survived by her loving husband, Art, who was her steadfast partner and tireless caregiver throughout her courageous battle with mesothelioma, which was diagnosed in 2023. She is also survived by her cherished daughters, Jenny and Kerry (Eric Holtz), and her beloved grandchildren: Charles Stanton (Chuck), Arthur James (AJ), and Elizabeth Cleo (Chloe) Romero; Zade Samir and Kasim Samir (Kasey) Mutwalli; and Jacob Dylan (Jake), Andrew Connor (Drew), and Ryan Scott Holtz.

She joins in eternal peace her son Eric (Nancy Kathrine) and her infant daughter Karin, with whom she will now be joyfully reunited in heaven, along with her parents and her brothers, David Ralph, James Stanton, and Brian John.

The Romero family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ramaswamy Govindan and Lauralea Bettlach, NP, for their extraordinary care and compassion throughout Joan’s cancer journey. Their kindness, along with the comfort and guidance provided by the BJC Hospice team, especially Dani and Seth, will never be forgotten.

Services:  Funeral Mass at Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 350 E 4th St, Eureka, Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with live stream of the mass available. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts in Joan’s memory be made to her beloved parish, Most Sacred Heart Church, 350 E Fourth Street, Eureka, MO 63025, or online at www.sacredhearteureka.org.

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home - Eureka, friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.