JOAN WAGGENER

1937 - 2022

WAGGENER Joan Diane Waggener Joan Diane Waggener, 84, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully. at home, February 13, 2022, in the care of her husband of 43 years, James Waggener and loving family after succumbing to a decades-long battle with breast cancer. Joan had a rich, productive life as military wife, mother, businesswoman, volunteer, activist and lifelong student of human behavior. Born June 11, 1937, to Tillie Ester Gordon and Lester Robbins of Far Rockaway, NY, Joan graduated Far Rockaway High School and attended Brooklyn College before marrying and taking on the role of military wife that led to multiple moves and continuing study of psychology at a succession of institutions, including Puerto Rico, Old Dominion and Harvard Universities. She was licensed as a real estate broker in Newport, RI. Joan joined her husband in attending the U.S. Foreign Service Institute and Chinese University of Hong Kong for language training in Mandarin prior to assignment to the U.S. Embassy, Beijing. Work there involved traveling widely through a China long closed to westerners. With her intellect and openness to new experiences, Joan proved an accomplished, respected representative of her country. The couple's next and final diplomatic posting, Australia, led to further study at Australian National Univ. and travels throughout the island nations of the Southwest Pacific. Returning to Northern Virginia, Joan became a contractor with the U.S. Department of State, serving first in diplomatic reception, leading tours of the department's fabled collection of 18th Century American art and furnishings, then assisting foreign service officers and other employees and families in preparing for postings abroad and their return - work for which she was eminently suited and for which, regarding troubles in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam, she was recognized by Secretary of State Madelyn Albright. Joan will be remembered by a legion of persons she met and served in the military life and her thirty-two years at the State Department. Her ever enquiring mind, high standards, principles and energetic disposition led her to activism on issues local to national. Her vivacious personality sense of humor and deeply empathetic nature fostered innumerable friendships. Her's, also, was a lifelong love of animals, great and small. Joan Waggener will be ever held in fond memory and abiding love by her many friends and adoring family. Joan is survived by her husband, three children, sons David I. Sloane of Virginia Beach, VA, Craig M. Sloane, New York, step-daughter Elizabeth Waggener Polk, Goldsboro, NC, grand-children, Jonathan Polk, Krystina Sloane, Hillary Sloane and Stephen Polk and great-grand-children, Madelyn and Charlotte Polk and Eli Polk. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Demaine Funeral Home of Alexandria, Virginia. A private memorial service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, AlexandriaAnimals.org/donate.Funeral arrangements are being handled by Demaine Funeral Home of Alexandria, Virginia. A private memorial service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, AlexandriaAnimals.org/donate.