Joan B. Staples

1934 - 2026

Born in Drexel Hill, PA, she was the 2nd of five daughters (and one son) to Carlos Berguido, Jr. and Marion Inglis Berguido neé Jayne.  After moving to Wynnewood, and then Haverford, PA, she attended the Agnes Irwin School, K-12, with her sisters. While at AIS, Joan was active in the Upper School student government: Vice President of the School in 11th grade, and Class President in her senior year. In sports, she played varsity in field hockey, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse.  During this time, she was awarded a White Blazer. Her love for tennis would come later; as would her volunteer work in the Irwin’s archives, and on the Irwin’s Alumnae Board.

Upon graduating from Agnes Irwin, she attended Wheaton College (Mass) for a year before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, her father’s alma mater, graduating with a B.A. in 1955. While at Penn, she remained active in sports, earning varsity letters in hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. After graduation, she worked at Curtis Publishing until she married in March ’56. Once her children were in school, she went to work at Bryn Mawr College Library as Head of the Reserve Room; a position she held until her retirement in 1999. This position, one that gave Joan her summers off, was ideal for her tennis game. Having first played badminton and tennis at Merion Cricket Club as a child, she continued with tennis after she and Joe joined Merion in 1960. The sight of Joan, arriving on her bike, was a daily occurrence. Aside from her regular games, she was also active in Ladies Interclub in both tennis and paddle, going so far as to help teach paddle, years before the sport grew big enough to require hiring a paddle pro. Joan was active off the courts, as well, serving for 4 years on the Fitness Committee. Even with her work at the library, and her fun at Merion, she made time for her son’s soccer games, and her daughter’s hockey games.

When not playing sports, or watching men’s ATP on TV, Joan enjoyed riding out west, perched on the back of Joe’s Honda Gold Wing, sailing with Joe in Cirrus, their 25’ Cape Dory, and going up to the Cape to visit with her older sister, Jayne, and her family.

Joan was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Joe, who died in November 2023. She is survived by their son, Ted Staples, of Annapolis, MD; their daughter, Polly Staples, of Bryn Mawr, PA; and two grandsons, Ryan Staples, and Gavin Staples, both of Huntingtown, MD.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Agnes Irwin School, or the Cato Institute.

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