Obituary for Joan Abshire
Joan Abshire, 87, Altoona, passed away Monday, Aug. 14, 2017.
She was born in Watseka, Ill., the youngest daughter of a railroad man and a homemaker.
Surviving are two daughters: Kara DiCecco of Bear, Del., and Kelly Garza of Altoona; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters.
Joan always had an adventurous spirit. After she graduated from high school, she took secretarial jobs in her small town but would travel up to Chicago to see live musical theatre. She married Mark Abshire, who was in the U.S. Air Force, and began a life of travel. She lived in Texas, Alaska, Kansas and ColoÂrado before divorcing in 1975.
A working mother, Joan began her government career with the Public Health Service in Alaska, providing aid to the native population. She continued her love of musical theatre, catching road shows whenever possible and taking her daughters with her. Upon arriving in Kansas, she began to work for the Veteransâ Administration and, after her divorce, she moved with the VA to Syracuse, N.Y. She also worked in Delaware and Washington, D.C., before coming to Altoona. She retired in 1994.
After retirement, she volunteered by teaching English as a second language. She also loved to cross stitch and send boxes of goodies to her grandchildren.
At Joanâs request, there will be no service. Arrangements are by PA Simple Cremation, Clearfield.
She was born in Watseka, Ill., the youngest daughter of a railroad man and a homemaker.
Surviving are two daughters: Kara DiCecco of Bear, Del., and Kelly Garza of Altoona; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters.
Joan always had an adventurous spirit. After she graduated from high school, she took secretarial jobs in her small town but would travel up to Chicago to see live musical theatre. She married Mark Abshire, who was in the U.S. Air Force, and began a life of travel. She lived in Texas, Alaska, Kansas and ColoÂrado before divorcing in 1975.
A working mother, Joan began her government career with the Public Health Service in Alaska, providing aid to the native population. She continued her love of musical theatre, catching road shows whenever possible and taking her daughters with her. Upon arriving in Kansas, she began to work for the Veteransâ Administration and, after her divorce, she moved with the VA to Syracuse, N.Y. She also worked in Delaware and Washington, D.C., before coming to Altoona. She retired in 1994.
After retirement, she volunteered by teaching English as a second language. She also loved to cross stitch and send boxes of goodies to her grandchildren.
At Joanâs request, there will be no service. Arrangements are by PA Simple Cremation, Clearfield.