Joan Walborn

1933 - 2025

Joan (Keiser) Walborn

07/20/1933 - 07/04/2025

Joan Walborn passed away in Dublin, Ohio on July 4th, 2025, with her daughter and grandson by her side. She was 91 years old.

Joan was born to Van and Ruth Keiser in Toledo, Ohio. She followed her mother into nursing, graduating from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. In 1969 she became one of the first Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in Northwest Ohio. When the state later revised licensing requirements, Joan returned to school and earned her bachelor's degree from Siena Heights College. Even in her last few months her knowledge and experience stayed with her as she talked with nurses about her medications. She was a nurse, through and through.

In 1955, Joan married Lawrence Walborn. They raised their family in Toledo and later in Sylvania for many years, eventually splitting their time between Ohio and Mesa, Arizona. They traveled often, making memories in places like Bermuda, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and Alaska, which was Joan's favorite. They were long time members of Hampton Park Christian Church and McCord Road Christian Church. Larry passed away in Arizona on Father's Day 2016. Joan moved soon after to Dublin, Ohio to be closer to her daughter.

Joan had a soft spot for animals-especially dogs-and would often recall childhood days spent on her grandparents' farm. But her greatest joy, always, was her family. Nothing lit her up more than her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will cherish countless memories of Joan and Larry at holidays, graduations, baseball games, family dinners, school plays, and birthday celebrations.

She is survived by her daughter Susan; grandsons, Micah and Nicholas Hetrick (Lesley); and great-grandchildren Zoe and Murphy; sister, Shirley Rigney and many nieces and nephews. Joan's survivors also include daughter, Linda (Gregory) Emler and their children, Darian and Madison.

Our family thanks the staff at the Dublin Retirement Village Assisted Living and especially those in Memory Care. Our appreciation also goes to Tiffany and Heather with Capital City Hospice and nurse Emily who provided compassionate support during Mom's final moments. We are thankful for hospice volunteer, Miriam, for her devoted, weekly visits to Mom and to Linda C. and her therapy dog Gracie for the visits that brought a smile to Mom's face. We will be forever grateful for the blessing of Jill Waterman, as a friend and End of Life Doula through the past few years!

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16 at 11:00 a.m. at the Peace Chapel of Toledo Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's name to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, 510 E. North Broadway, Columbus, OH 43214