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James & Joan Timony Obituary
Joan Patricia Timony
JAMES PATRICK TIMONY
On November 12, 2022, Joan Patricia Timony and James Patrick Timony, April 29, 2021, both of Washington, DC. Mourning them are their two children, Patrick and Mary Timony both of Washington DC, and Joan's twin sister Jan Lewis of Houston, TX.
Joan grew up in Yankton, South Dakota, the youngest of nine. After studying dance and drama in college, she traveled the country performing with a theater group for a few years, then chose DC as her new home. She settled on education as a practical profession, then became a luminary teacher at Murch Elementary School for 20 years. A number of her 2nd grade students included her in their major life events well into her retirement years.
Continuing to act when she first moved here, Joan approached the lead in Eugene O'Neill's "A Moon for the Misbegotten" at the Theater Lobby when she observed him perusing the Wall Street Journal during rehearsal. Sparks flew, and Jim and Joan wed within a few months of meeting, on December 26, 1962.
Jim, the son of Irish immigrants who came to the US to work in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, grew up in DC, joined the Army, and attended Georgetown Law on the GI bill. In 1959, Jim joined the Federal Trade Commission and had a long, distinguished career litigating antitrust cases. He was instrumental in stopping Camel cigarettes from being advertised to children, among many other achievements. He was elevated to Chief Administrative Law Judge in 1998, and retired from the FTC in 2003. He then taught legal writing at Catholic University. Jim was a runner and enjoyed reading history and philosophy, as well as listening to the poetry of musicians such as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Van Morrison.
During retirement, Jim and Joan spent many happy winters in Bradenton, Florida enjoying tennis and friends. Joan moved to Asbury Methodist Village after Jim passed, and in the last year of her life, became an avid pickleball player, as well as learning wall climbing, boxing and ballroom dance. She made new friends, won a gold medal for bocce ball in the Maryland Senior Olympics and inspired other residents, younger and older, to stay active.
May they rest in peace.
Service scheduled for later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for James & Joan Timony
Kay Brabander
August 19, 2025
Jim was a good friend of mine foryears from our years at West High School then Ohio University where I graduated in 1954. Met his wife,Joan, at one of his school reunions and continued writing them in DC. Jusr saw their obituary today when didn't get cards from them. Wonderful people.
Kathy Whyte
December 21, 2023
As a member of Bradenton tennis center, I have many fond memories of Jim and Joan. Joan had a great backhand and I loved having her as my partner. They were both very kind and caring people. I miss them both!
Paulis Waber
May 19, 2023
Mrs. Timony was a beloved teacher at Murch. Two of my children had her. She was so kind and really understood children and was always on their side. Which they knew and loved her for. I still remember Bunbun the rabbit. I think we were on Bunbun the third by the time my son was in her class. She also had a bird one year, but that didn´t end well. She was that special teacher that no one ever forgets. Her memory is a blessing.
susan A schlacks
December 29, 2022
Jim and Joanie were so wonderful to me when my husband died in 2015. My daughter Heidi and I were in DC. and visited with Jim and Joan at their home. Then the girls went to lunch. We had a good day. Such lovely
people. Susie Schlacks
the girls went
Sandy Krause
December 29, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Both Joan and Jim loved playing tennis at United Tennis. They would walk to the courts together. Joan loved her breakfast of bananas! They both will be missed. They were both very kind souls.
Brenda Mallia
December 29, 2022
I met Joan & Jim at the tennis club in Bradenton when I first joined ...they were a sweet caring couple ...they loved parties & playing tennis ....Joan was often my tennis partner when I first started playing ..she was always so encouraging ..although we didn't win many games we had the best time always ....they will live in our heart's forever...
Brenda & Lino Mallia
Ruthie Weiss
December 29, 2022
Joan was such a wonderful lady, Met her when I first joined United Tennis Center. She was such a bright light & inspiration on & off the courts.
My deepest sympathy to the family, she will be greatly missed.
Jim is smiling ear to ear with the reunion of his great love. May their memories be a blessing.
Ruthie Weiss
Kathy Whyte
December 29, 2022
I loved playing tennis with Joan at Bradenton Tennis Center (formerly United Tennis). She would sometimes jog to tennis and still have tons of energy to play tennis. She and Jim were sweet as can be.
Juliet Zucker
December 27, 2022
So sorry for your loss. As a former Murch parent whose 2 children were fortunate enough to have Mrs. Timony in 2nd grade, I have wonderful memories of her as a very kind and nurturing teacher. She inspired a love of nature and science in her students and they, and their parents, adored her. Among the many highlights of my daughter's year in her class: baking bread with Mrs Timony at her house (an annual auction donation) and Judge Timony dancing on Mrs. Timony's desk when he was subbing for her.
Claire McGuire
December 26, 2022
Mrs. Timony was a great second grade teacher. I will never forget her kindness to her students and her devotion to her work as an educator.
Lisa Kanin
December 26, 2022
Sending heartfelt sympathy to the family. I remember Jim Timony as a landlord- I lived , along with other 20 somethings, in his house on Beecher St from 1974-80. It´s potentially a fraught relationship- but I always found him responsive and thoughtful- and remember feeling that he liked and trusted me ( I was the only one on the lease) - and there was something about him that made that a worthy achievement. At the same time , he treated me as a fellow adult and shared interesting stories and observations. I remember him fondly as both a landlord and a human being . I only have memories of Joan as a warm presence in his home when I´d drop by on rental business.
Lisa K
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