Joan Linda Bilger, 75, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on March 13, 2023 after a 35 day battle with a very aggressive Liver/Bile Duct Cancer.

Joan was born on April 15,1947, and was the daughter of John and Florence (Lavalle) Gromko, in Hartford, CT. After Joan graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, CT in 1965, she went on to take the Executive Secretarial Course at Morse College in Hartford, CT.

After satisfactorily completing the Executive Secretarial Course in 1967, she started her first job at the United States Submarine Base Hospital as a Medical Transcriber, kickstarting a 34 year career with various agencies of the United States Government, Department of Defense in several States. She won many awards for her excellent performance.

In 1971, Joan met Glenn Bilger at their mutual friend's wedding,they got married on June 23, 1973 after Glenn got out of the US Navy and continued their lifetime of happiness and love for over 50 years.

In 2002, Joan retired and spent her time as an artist painting in Water Color and Acrylics, Card Making, Ceramics, Basket Decorating, and sewing potholders to the tops of towels to hang on the oven door in the kitchen to dry your hands when cooking. Joan was also an associate member of the United States Submarine Veterans Mid-Atlantic Base where she served as Secretary for a number of years; a member of the VFW Auxiliary; a member of the American Legion Auxiliary; and was a licensed amateur radio operator, KI4FYN.

Joan was predeceased by her father, John Gromko, her mother, Florence(Lavalle) Gromko Johnson, and her cousin, Elaine McGuiness who helped guide and support her after her father passed away when Joan was 13. She is survived by her husband, Glenn, and her twin brother, John Gromko.

A Visitation will be held at St John of the Cross Catholic Church on Thursday, March 23, 2023 between 10:00 am to 11:00 am; a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am with Fr. Michael Martin Celebrating. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow the Mass.

For those unable to attend, the mass will be live-streamed.  Now that the service has past, please click this link to watch a recorded version of the service:

https://viewneral.zoom.us/rec/ play/bUb8HKYV1k91uSkajTMCK2_ DAEl8U4xStpw-8R0e4_Sa- Eh985nQGSgGthY_ qsh96RZfr0zXnFZVyzN5. sGQ9D7QLOy-TI1J5

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Liver Foundation, an organization that promotes education, advocacy, support services and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Joan's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.