When Joan was born in Flushing Hospital it was a recipe for success. Growing up in Manhattan, Joan enjoyed playing softball and stickball. Joan was an only child, raised by her mother who worked at Metropolitan Hospital. Joan says her mother was a good person and a hard worker. Joan didn’t have to go far to find her true love; he lived right on her block. He had just returned from the army, he was stationed in Korea. Their first date was to the movies.

Joan started her career as a nurse’s aide at Doctors Hospital and the Hospital of Special Surgery. Next she worked for Hygenic Phone Service Company. Then Joan found her passion, she became a cook at the elementary school located right on her block. She worked there for 14 years. Chili was her favorite meal to cook for the students. “Preparing meals for 162 kids was a hard job, but the food was always good!” Joan had four children-Daniel, Rose, Joseph and Joan, who is named after her mom. Joan has fond memories of her daughter Rose, who passed away. Rose had two children, Amanda who works at Vanity Fair Magazine and Stephen who attends high school. Her daughter, Joan also has two children, Samantha and Michael. When they visit grandma at Lake Shore, they enjoy watching a game of pool and are always looking to play a game of Connect 4. Her son Daniel lives in Florida.

Joan likes to keep herself busy. She enjoys joining friends for Bingo, watch soap operas, play card games and even a round of chair volleyball helps to keep the day going. Outside of Lake Shore you may see Joan at one of her new favorite places, Crystal Gardens, the Chinese Buffet having lunch and spending time with her family.

Story by Lynne R.