Joan K. Reed

Joan Kondos Reed(84) passed away peacefully on July 19 after several years of declining health. Earlier in her life, she survived breast cancer twice. She fought valiantly to retain her independence and regain her former energy. Joan enjoyed people, often striking up conversations with total strangers. She loved being a nurse, a good neighbor, and volunteer at Stan Hywet. She was an avid reader, enjoyed sunshine, cigarettes and vodka, card games, the theater, and traveling. Her weekends were spent at Findley Lake, NY where she and Glenn enjoyed a lakeside cottage for 30 years. They were married 57 years.
Joan graduated from Butler High School (Butler, PA), then the Butler Memorial School of Nursing as an RN in 1955. She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Professional Arts from St. Joseph's College (Standish, ME). She worked at Richfield Clinic and later as an occupational health nurse at Rockwell International in Barberton, OH. She became a case manager in occupational health for self-insured companies and had her own consulting business before retiring. After retirement she became a docent at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens where she was an active volunteer and Garden Club member for over 15 years as well as a Women's Board member. She was also an active member of the Richfield United Church of Christ.
Joan was grateful for the care provided by her children to ensure she could remain in her home the latter part of her life. She cared deeply for her family and friends and was an active caregiver her whole life until she herself required more care at home. She was fighter to the end.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Glenn (July 2, 2012), daughter Carolyn Reed-Hodge (Al) of Ann Arbor, MI, parents Michael and Bertha Kondos of Lyndora, PA, and her "sister" cousin Gloria Heemer of Saxonburg, PA. She leaves her two sons Michael (Patti) of Valley City, OH and Thomas (Jan Schutte) of Bath, OH; son-in-law Al Hodge of Ann Arbor, MI; brother Michael Kondos (Kathy) of Butler, PA; grandson Phillip Dickson and granddaughter LeeAnn Gedeon (Dave) of Arlington, VA and two great grandchildren Olivia and Jack Gedeon of Arlington, VA as well as extended family and friends.
Her ashes will be buried with Glenn at the Richfield Cemetery on Broadview Rd. at 10:00 am Wednesday with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 am at Richfield United Church of Christ with the Rev. John King officiating. A lunch for friends and family will follow immediately in the fellowship hall. Memorial gifts in Joan's name may be made to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303, Ohio Living Health and Hospice, 1001 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43229, or the Capital Improvement fund at Richfield UCC, 4340 W. Streetsboro Rd., Richfield, OH 44286. To share a memory, Send a Condolence, Light a Candle or Send Flowers, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel).