Joan D. Brookwell

Joan Brookwell, 90, of Wilton Manors, passed peacefully on September 3rd in her home of 50 years, surrounded by three generations of her family. A mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joan was a published author, journalist, editor, worldwide traveler and award winning photographer. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on September 24, 1926, Joan Louise Danenhauer, the first of three children of Howard Lee Danenhauer and Catherine Josephine Heike Danenhauer. In 1947, she graduated Douglas College, the all-female affiliate of Rutgers University, where she edited the newspaper. In 1956 Joan moved with her family to Honduras where she taught English grammar at Escuela Internacional San Pedrana in San Pedro Sula. In 1966, she moved to Fort Lauderdale with her three young children after accepting a position as a reporter for The Fort Lauderdale News which later became The Sun Sentinel. During the latter part of her 30 years with the newspaper she became editor of the Home and Garden section. She is the photographer and coauthor of Native Florida Plants, a staple on the shelf of native plant enthusiasts, landscapers and used in university classrooms. An adventurous woman, Joan swam with the piranhas in the Amazon River, rode elephants in Thailand, and danced with the Maasai in Kenya. She is pre-deceased by son, Hunter Lee Brookwell. She is survived by daughter, Lauren Mejia, Poplar, N.C son, Stewart Brookwell, of Mico, Fl.; grandchildren, Michelle Mejia, Poplar, N.C.; Ashley Howard, Coeur d'Alene, Id.; Ian Brookwell, Spokane, WA; Baylee Murphy, Phoenix, Az.. and great-grandchildren, Finley Howard, Michael Moral, Kingston Howard and Fenna Howard. She will be remembered for her strength of spirit, generosity, intellect and wisdom. A private memorial service will be held for friends and family. "Grandma, the grammarian" will be missed.