All of us here at the D2 Center were saddened to learn that one of our teachers, Dr. Joan Hamilton, has passed away. Joan taught reading and did tutoring for us here and since last spring, had taken time off to fight cancer. Joan had a passion for helping kids. Not only will we miss her expertise in teaching reading, we will miss her positive attitude, her patience, and sense of humor.
Here is Joan’s obituary from the Omaha World-Herald:
Hamilton, Dr. Joan Teresa “Joanie”
posted March 12th, 2015.
Hamilton, Dr. Joan Teresa “Joanie” Born in Council Bluffs and living in Neola, IA; Omaha, NE; Tekamah, NE; Iowa City, IA; Des Moines, IA; Independence, IA; Sibley, IA; Clarinda, IA. Joan had been fighting cancer since May 2014 and passed on March 7, 2015 with her children and their spouses, two siblings, and two great friends by her side. Joan received her BA at the College of St Mary, her MA in Lit. at the Univ. of Iowa, and Ph. D. in Brit. & Amer. Lit. at Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, teaching at Tekamah High and local colleges before finishing her career at Omaha South. Preceded in passing by her parents, Joseph and Ione Turner and brother Peter. Survived by children and spouses: Rachel Smith, Matthew Hamilton, Benjamin Hamilton, Nell and David Cole; grandchildren: Hannah and Sophia Smith (Rachel), Zoe and Charli Cole (Nell); siblings and spouses: William and Nancy Turner, Bonnie Turner, Rosalie and Ed Fennel, Marge Turner and John Olander, and Tom and Sue Turner; 17 nieces and nephews and their children; and countless friends. She loved and was loved. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held on April 11th at St. Patrick’s Parish in Neola, IA followed by a 4pm reception at the Hot Shops Art Studios, Omaha, NE. In lieu of flowers, donations are directed to: St. Francis Indian School c/o Joan T Hamilton Library Book Fund, PO Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57325.
