Joan Anderson

1933 - 2021

Joan S. Anderson
1933-2021
Joan S. Anderson McGurk, dedicated mother and clinical psychologist, passed away at home in Houston with family beside her on Thursday, the 7th of January 2021.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1933 to the late Leonhard Naef Scheuermann and Laura Barelli McCarnes, she grew up surrounded by her large, warm extended family in a house filled with lots of good food and inspiring conversation.
Joan graduated from Louise S. McGehee School in 1950 and received her BA from Sophie Newcomb College in 1954 and her PhD from the University of Houston in 1969. In her clinical practice, she specialized in child, family, and forensic psychology. She served as president of both the Texas Psychological Association (1977) and the Houston Psychological Association (1979), and was appointed by Gov. William P. Clements to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (1980-1985). She was also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry at the Baylor College of Medicine where she lectured and supervised students (1985-retirement). Professionally, Joan was known for her integrity and clarity of thought.
Generosity was a cornerstone of Joan's life, and she supported numerous charitable causes. In 1968, Joan, together with four friends, saw the necessity to educate and engage the general public concerning the critical demand for organ and tissue donations. This need drove these five ladies to co-found The Living Bank, the nation's first organ donor registry.
In 1954, Joan married Frank C. Anderson, Jr. of New Orleans, and the couple raised their two children in Houston in a nurturing home reminiscent of the one in which Joan had thrived as a child. A wonderful cook and mother, Joan was a role model to many and the rock of their extended family. She loved having family to care for, including opening her home to over 20 relatives during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Years after her divorce, Joan was fortunate to find love again with Daniel Lockwood McGurk. The couple married in 2013, and Joan moved to Newport Beach, California, where she welcomed Dan's seven adult children and their families into her heart and life.
Joan was predeceased by her loving husband Dan, and is survived by her siblings, Peggy Baggett and Lenny Scheuermann; her ex-husband, Frank C. Anderson, Jr.; her children, Clay Anderson (Lauri) and Mollie Whisler (Scott); her grandchildren, Elise, Bryn, and Austin; her stepchildren, Tina McGurk, Herb McGurk, Kelly Hylen (Dave), Scott Cain (Veronica), Patrick McGurk, Mike McGurk (Jan), Stacy McGurk (Josh), and their families; and many other beloved family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 30th of July, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be accessible from the church website.
The family is thankful for thoughts and prayers, and requests that, in lieu of memorial contributions, Joan's legacy be honored by support of The Living Bank, 4545 Post Oak Place Drive #340, Houston, TX 77027.