Joan E. Busch

1929 - 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Joan E. Busch announces her passing on April 17th 2025 at 95 years of age. She was born in Baltimore Maryland in 1929 to Virginia Adams Edwards and William Robert Edwards.Following the loss of her father, Joan's grandfather, James Mathias Adams assumed the role of her father figure. She grew up in Edgewater Maryland and attended Mayo Elementary School, graduating from Annapolis High School in 1946, Joanie loved to dance and never missed a school function where she had the opportunity to dance the Jitterbug! In 1948 Joan married Robert Randolph Busch and together they established the restaurant, Busch's Chesapeake Inn. Early success came from supplying hamburgers and fries to the workers constructing the first bay bridge. Working full time she still found the energy and patience to raise 4 children. A devoted Baltimore Colts fan, she rarely missed a home game. She was an accomplished golfer and she and Bob were members of several golf clubs. She overcame her fear of flying by taking lessons and flying along with her husband in his Comanche 140. In her late fifties, the entire Busch family were certified underwater SCUBA divers. In quieter times, she enjoyed reading, needlepoint, crossword puzzles listening to big band music and socializing and hosting her bridge club ladies, monthly. Joan's cooking skills were surpassed only by her love for preparing her favorite dishes to share with family and friends. Her crab cakes were a very popular item on the restaurant menu and a family favorite was her fried chicken and pan gravy. Joan cared for her husband and after his passing in 2001 she resumed her love and devotion for St, Margaret's Church. She was president of both the Women's Guild and the Alter Guild. Her homemade coconut cake in springtime and her West Virginia apple cake in the fall were church favorites, Joan embraced and lived her life to the fullest. She greeted you with a smile. She is survived by her 4 children, Debra Doolan (Mike), Karen Smith, Kimberly Shanaberger and Robert Randolph Busch Jr, (Kim), 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Memorial service is 11am May 5th 2025 with reception following in St. Margaret's Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in mom's honor can be sent to Hospice of the Chesapeake or St. Margaret's Church.