Joan E. Stoltze

1931 - 2020

Joan E. (Loesch) Stoltze died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Her big smile and welcoming personality will be missed by many. Born on July 11, 1931, Joan grew up in New York, graduating from Good Counsel College in 1952 with outstanding scholastic and community achievement. Joan married Leon Stoltze in 1953 and taught third grade in Stony Brook, N.Y. for two years before they put down roots in East Hartland, CT in 1957 where she spent the next 10 years at home raising her six children. Joan returned to teaching at Hartland Elementary School in 1967, obtaining a Master's Degree from Central Connecticut State University. She taught for twenty-five years and in 1985 became a finalist for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. To this day she is often cited by former students as 'my favorite'. She retired in 1991 and continued to teach Art Appreciation. In 2008, a student-painted mural in the Hartland School was dedicated to her. For eighteen years, Joan Stoltze was the president of the Hartland Historical Society and was instrumental in obtaining and renovating the Gaylord House in West Hartland. She established yearly events, talks, as well as the organizing and recording of historical stories, documents and collections, preserving valuable Hartland history. Joan has always been an active member of St. Therese Church in Granby, CT. She was a lector, CCD teacher, small group leader, nursing home rosary volunteer and newsletter contributor. Her Renew group met in her home for lunch for twenty plus years, continuing to meet even when she moved into a nursing home. In 2017, Joan moved into McLean Care in Simsbury, CT. She was active in the Art classes and enjoyed all the varied activities that were offered. She was well-loved and her remarkable contentment and positive attitude stood out. Joan enjoyed gardening and creating beautiful flower arrangements. Her home was well appointed with antiques and she decorated for each holiday. She was an avid reader and enjoyed writing poetry. Joan Stoltze is survived by her five sons, Christopher and wife Anji Seth, Clifford and wife Carol, Mark and wife Debra, Paul and wife Teresa, David and wife Kathleen, and one daughter, Jane Loftus and husband Tim as well as fifteen grandchildren including Lea Mielczarek and husband Rob, Samuel and wife Allison, Anna Mattoon and husband Matt, Fiona, Nicholas, Coleman and wife Beth, Emma, Katie Daw and husband Damon, Alexander, Kara, Megan, Nils Loftus and wife Cheryl, Christian, Eva Potyra and husband Stephen, Sarah May and husband Rob, and six great-grandchildren. Her family will receive friends on Thursday, January 16, 4-7 p.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby. Family and friends may gather on Friday, January 17, 9 a.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m., at St. Therese Church, Granby. Burial will follow in East Hartland Cemetery. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to, Covenant House, 550 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10018 or to the Hartland Historical Society, P.O. Box 221, East Hartland, CT 06027. For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.