Joan Stenner

Joan Stenner
August 20, 1932 - April 9, 2025
Joan Martin Stenner, a longtime Orange, Connecticut, resident, and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, and dear friend to many, passed away peacefully on April 9th, 2025, at Regional Hospice in Danbury, Connecticut. She was 92, having lived a rich and fulfilling life, marked by devotion to her family and community.
Joan was born on August 20, 1932, in London, England, to Alfred and Irene Martin in the midst of the Great Depression. As a child during WWII, she was twice evacuated from London and the family house was bombed, experiences that instilled Joan with a strong sense of resilience and fortitude, as well as an adventurous, risk-taker's mentality. Toward the end of the war, her family moved south to Sussex, where she attended high school and university.
In 1956, Joan immigrated to the United States, working for the BBC and living with her aunt and uncle's family. Joan finally met John (Jack) Stenner, who was her childhood pen-pal from the age of 5 and who ultimately became the love of her life. Joan and Jack were married in England on January 4th, 1958, enjoying a loving 66-year marriage. Jack predeceased her on February 23, 2024, leaving Joan to cherish their memories until her final days.
Joan leaves behind three loving daughters: Tracy Zolla (Mark) of Duxbury, Massachusetts, Kim Penwell (Steve) of Westport, Connecticut, and Lee Wilson (Peter) of New Fairfield, Connecticut. She also leaves behind her greatest pride and joy, her five beloved grandchildren-Trevor, Alexander, Bryan, Hope, and Victoria. All of whom she supported with unwavering love.
Joan and Jack first lived in Brooklyn and East Northport before settling in Orange in 1969. From the time she arrived in Orange, Joan was always busy and involved. Joan was a Girl Scout Leader, Room Parent and PTA President. She worked at Yale University as the Admissions Officer for the School of Epidemiology and Public Health. She retired from Yale in 1999, after 27 years. While working, she was a founding member of the Orange Players (an amateur theatre group) served on the music committee at the Orange Congressional Church, sang with Chorale groups, served on the Orange Arts and Culture Council, volunteered with The Friends of Orange Library, took art lessons (and painted beautifully), and was a Docent at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, to name just a few of her many, varied activities. Music, theater and art brought her great joy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 am at the Orange Congregational Church, on Saturday, April 19th, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joan's memory to the Orange Congregational Church Music Program, The National Audubon Society, or the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research, reflecting Joan's compassionate spirit