Joan Mae Deskis

Joan Mae Deskis

Joan Mae Deskis, age 92, of Carlisle passed away at home after a long decline in health surrounded by her family. She was affectionately known as "Mema" to all who loved her.

Born November 3, 1924 in Downey, CA, she was the only daughter of William and Ida (Hackett) Oldham and was the widow of Colonel Anthony J. Deskis, Jr. (USA Ret.), who passed in 2008.

Joan graduated from Downey High School in 1943 and began working as a secretary. She met her future husband, 2nd LT Anthony J. Deskis, Jr. in 1951 and they exchanged their wedding vows on January 25, 1952. Joan and Anthony moved from sunny California to snowy Alaska on their first military assignment as a married couple where they lived in a homestead cabin for a year. Throughout her marriage, she moved the family to various locations as the Army dictated. She never failed to efficiently set up and continually improve the home to make a warm and welcome place. The many moves took them throughout the entire United States and twice to Taiwan. Finally settling down in Carlisle, in 1980, Joan and Anthony Jr. set up their retirement home. After the death of Anthony, Jr. in 2008, Joan moved to a smaller home in town. She loved to travel, go out to dinner, and play Mah Jongg and cards with her many friends. Joan remained fairly active until her health began to decline due to a series of strokes. She wanted to remain in her home until she passed and Fataba Swaray answered the call and provided efficient, professional, and loving care in the home.

She is survived by: children; LT COL Anthony J. (wife Jane) Deskis III (USA Ret) of Lansing, KS, Cynthia A. (husband Sam) Bowers, of Carlisle and Michael, W. (wife Cindy) Deskis of Fort Worth, TX; grandchildren, Riley and Wesley Deskis, Lance Corp. Bradley L. Deskis, Michael Bowers, Patrick (wife Kathryn) Bowers, Mark (wife Brianna) Bowers, Matthew and Mitchell Deskis, Mallory (husband Jonathan) Avila: great-grandson, Bodhi Avila and great-granddaughter, Olivia Swilley.

A Christian Wake Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA with Rev. Gregory D'Emma as Celebrant. Burial will be at Ashland Cemetery, Carlisle next to her husband. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110. To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com