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Joan Smalec Obituary
Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 7, 1931, she was the youngest daughter of the late Peter Formentati and Mae Haarsgaard Formentati. In addition to her parents, her sister, Marilyn, of Jacksonville, FL, precedes her in death.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Larry, of Forest, VA, as well as daughter Jennifer Draper, son-in-law Dow Draper and granddaughter Sydney Draper, all of Kirkland, WA.
Joan was a feisty spirit with a very tender heart. She especially enjoyed speaking with others, whether family member, friend or stranger.
A Mass of Resurrection will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 Roundelay Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be sent to The Life Raft Group, 155 Route 46 West, Suite 202, Wayne, NJ 07470, (www.liferaftgroup.org), or the charity of your choosing.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Smalec
August 5, 2012
The Dorcas Ministry of Thomas Terrace Baptist Church wishes to express our sympathy to you and your family. We are remembering you in our prayers. Please contact us if we can be of help during this difficult time. Loved ones may leave you, but memories never will.
Gary Giles
August 1, 2012
Larry and Jen and Family:
Jennifer and I are saddened at Joan's passing. She was a special lady and I will always rememebr her fondly. I pray God comforts you as you rember Joan and celebrate her life.
Jennifer and Gary Giles, Memphis, TN
Eileen Hale D'Úrso
July 31, 2012
A light is from a household gone, a voice we loved is stilled, a place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled.
Please, God, forgive a silent tear, a secret wish that she were here, for she was ours and we loved her.
Reunited with Owen, her pal.
Eternal peace in paradise with our Lord.
Caryl Culbertson
July 31, 2012
Dear Larry and Jennifer,
I am so sorry for your loss. Aunt Joanie lived life her way up to the end. I smile when I think of our last phone conversation and emails last week. She was always witty, laughing and direct. She loved her family and was so proud of her grandaughter. She never complained about her health. She was an elegant lady, always dressed in Black and White, loving, charming and funny. Rest in Peace Aunt Joanie. We were all blessed to have known you.
Brent Culbertson
July 31, 2012
Larry and Jennifer I am so sorry for your loss! I remember so fondly visiting Aunt Joanie and Uncle Larry with Grandma and Ginger my dog when I was a little boy, such good times! Now she is in a better place with my grandma Marilyn!
July 31, 2012
Dear Larry and Jennifer, Betty and I are truly sorry to hear of Joan's passing, but she is at peace now. We will always remember her for her wit, charm, and love of friends and family. We were all blessed to have known her.
Betty & Bob Haarsgaard
Mendham, NJ
Janet Dunford
July 31, 2012
Dear Larry and Jennifer,
When I think of Joan, I always laugh! She was such an interesting person and had a wonderful sense of humor - I was usually laughing when I was with her. It's true that what came out of her mouth was always a surprise! She did have a tender heart, but she spoke her mind and there was no artifice about her...she truly was a "what you see is what you get" kind of person. Although it's been awhile since we have chatted, I will miss Joan and will remember her fondly. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Ed & Kristi Haarsgaard
July 30, 2012
Dear Larry and Jennifer, I can not sufficiently express my sorrow at the passing of your loving wife and mother. While I found the refernce to our 'feisty' cousin uplifting, I can never forget her little notes at Christmas over the years and support in times of need. Gracious. Encouraging. Very humble and very very much a believer. God has called her home and for that I am sorry for you both but happy for her. She is at peace. May God shed his grace on you and your families not just today but everyday until we all can meet again. Peace be with you.
Scott & Rose Imray
July 29, 2012
Dear Larry and Jennifer, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family during your time of loss. Although she will be deeply missed, you can take comfort in knowing she is now at peace. Her wonderful memories with be with us the rest of our lives. Joan rest in peace.
July 29, 2012
Dear Larry and Jen,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss. Joan was my beloved cousin, she was never unkind and always took the high road. We enjoyed a lifelong friendship. This loving bond was rooted in our childhood together and all these years remained in place. Every memory I have of "Noanie" is a happy one, I will miss her with all my heart. May she rest in peace in the loving arms of our Father where someday we will all be re-united. God Bless, Anne and Family
July 29, 2012
Larry and Jennifer,
I was so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I know you must have a big hole in your hearts right now. I am glad we got to see each other again after so many years when we were at Jane's reunion. The time before that was when I babysat at the hotel while you were looking for your house in Virgina. It was so long ago..but I remember cousin Joan's white go go boots. It was the 70's! I am thinking of you and praying for your peace and strength. Love to you, Beth (Anne's daughter) and family
jane COX
July 28, 2012
dear larry and jenn,
your beloved wife and your mom have left us all to be with Jesus whom joanie loved beyond all else. we really didn't have much time to share our lives but we just picked up where we might have left off a few years ago.
not when we when she was my ideal of womanhood and i was a kid. it's hard to understand and really never fully understandable why someone leaves us all at their peak of being interesting and being loved so by so many. but mostly why did joanie leave us when she knew how much we loved her? for joan, god called her and she trusted his will. i know if you be still you will still feel joan's presence. she will stay with you for the rest of our lives. thank goodness. we have been so fortunate in whom we have been given to love. god bless you larry and your family. i hope that you will take joan's love for you and share her strength with all whom you love.
with much love,
janie
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