Joan Florence Wenz

Joan Florence Jacoby Wenz
April 27, 1933 – September 8, 2015

Joan was the beautiful first-born child of John & Florence Jacoby & was followed by John, Janet, Carol and Diane. She grew up in West Hempstead, LI, New York. During her childhood, her maternal grandparents resided with them for many years. Her parents cared for many foster babies during the depression and war years, and Joan would help with the babies after school and on weekends. Joan graduated from West Hempstead High School in 1948. After high school, she got a job working for Bell Telephone Company. Paul Richard Wenz, Jr., her future husband, also lived in Hempstead, and was their “paper boy” for several years. Their romance started after meeting in their late teens at the Hempstead Bowling Alley. The Jacoby family moved to Merrick, NY during Joan’s senior year in high school, but she was able to complete her education and graduate from WHHS.

Joan and Paul were married on December 27, 1952, at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in West Hempstead. Their wedding was planned in about 4 months, to take place while Paul was on a short leave from the US Army. Upon his return from the Korean War, Paul and Joan purchased a home in Levittown NY and moved there in 1954. A true love story, Joan and Paul were crazy about each other! They quickly became active in the community and settled into a wonderful life in Levittown. Debra Lynn was born in Oct. 1954, and Chery Ann followed in June 1957. Paul and Joan started attending The First Baptist Church of Merrick early in their marriage. Joan taught Sunday School, Pioneer Girls, sang in the Choir, and served on many committees over the years. She and Paul were devoted to their church family and enjoyed the fellowship and friendships formed at Merrick Baptist where they attended for more than 20 years. She also served on the Wantagh Volunteer Fire Dept. Women’s Auxiliary and was an active member of the PTA. In 1977 after a brief move to Michigan, Joan and Paul moved to Centereach, LI NY. There, they became active members of Three Village Church, where Joan taught Pre-school and then became the Church’s Secretary and Administrator. Joan loved both of these jobs, and they made more wonderful friends while attending Three Village and living in Centereach.

When Paul retired in 1993, the Wenz’s moved to Wilmington, NC, to live near their daughter Debra, her husband Tony Chiarello, and their 3 grandchildren Anthony, Maryssa and Andrea. Once again, Joan & Paul found a church, Grace Baptist, where they could worship and fellowship. They enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s assorted school functions, sporting events, dance recitals, musical performances, & other family activities. They also loved joining Deb and Tony in lots of social events in Wilmington. Cheryl had several jobs and finally settled in the Kansas City area. Joan missed her daughter very much, often lamenting about the distance between them, but took every opportunity to brag about Cheryl’s accomplishments to her friends & family!

The Chiarello’s moved to Texas in 2002 due to a job change, Joan and Paul followed in 2004. Paul experienced some very serious health problems shortly thereafter, and Joan lovingly cared for him until his death in June 2011. Those years were very hard on Joan, watching her precious husband suffer was unbearable for her. It was during this time that the family noticed Joan having some memory problems & some confusion. Shortly after Paul’s death, Joan was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In 2012, the family moved her to Kansas City to live near her daughter Cheryl. Unfortunately, the Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease progressed very rapidly, and in 2013 Cheryl found a wonderful memory care facility, Park Meadows, where Joan lived until her death.

Joan was a deeply devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. A woman of many talents, she loved music, played the piano, and had a beautiful soprano voice. She was very artistic and crafty, as well as a gifted seamstress. Joan and Paul’s home was a frequent gathering place for family & friends. She loved the Lord, and together, she and Paul had a warm, nurturing marriage and Christian home where all were welcome.

Private Services will be held graveside at a later date. Donations can be made to Catholic Community Hospice in Joan’s memory on the donation page, or sent to 9740 West 87th Street Overland Park, KS 66212, or www.catholiccommunityhospice.com.