Obit: Joan M. Green

Joan M. Green died October 30, 2011 from complications of ALS.

Joan was born in Fullerton, PA on August 17, 1930, the daughter of Joseph and Edith Matthews Ludwig. After graduating from Whitehall High School and Allentown Hospital School of Nursing she was employed by area hospitals, local physicians and the Visiting Nurse Association in Bethlehem, PA. Joan returned to Cedar Crest College in 1970 and graduated in 1977 with a Bachelors Degree (cum laude) in Nursing. While at the Bethlehem VNA she was the first Volunteer Coordinator, instructing local volunteers in assisting patients of the agency. Joan was also on the Hellertown, PA Board of Health for many years and was active in the League of Women Voters.

Joan moved to Sebastian, FL in 1986 and went to work at the Visiting Nurse Association of Indian River County. While a resident in Sebastian she became a member of the Code Enforcement Board for 6 years. When a new League of Women Voters was formed in Indian River County she helped to get it started and remained a member until it disbanded. She was also very active in the Sebastian Historical Society, acting as president and writing a grant to AOL for the society to obtain its first computer. When it was determined that a museum was needed she worked with City Council to obtain space for the first museum.

At the Visiting Nurse Association, after working there for several years, she retired as Vice President of the VNA. While employed there she was instrumental in obtaining Health Care on Wheels mobile van to deliver health services to low income and indigent residents of IRC. After retirement she volunteered for the Indian River County Health Department giving flu shots to the public. She worked for Mel Fisher Treasure Museum as a conservator aide, guide and public speaker for 18 years. She guided many school groups studying Florida history through the museum as well as retirees, Red Hat Societies and other interested individuals. Joan spoke at local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, schools and libraries as well as at boating clubs and Senior Associations. She retired from that position in 2010.

Joan took her first skydiving adventure on her 75th birthday, something she had long wanted to do. She began attending the Caring and Sharing grief support at Community Church in January 2005 after her husband died, where she met Robert Green. They married and Joan moved to Fort Pierce in 2008 where they resided in Spanish Lakes Country Club Village. Bob and Joan were friendly visitors for the church for several years and also sang in the choir. Joan became a Tennis Club member even though she had never played before, taking lessons and in 2009 became the champion woman player of the club in that park.

Joan Green is survived by her husband of 5 years Robert Green, three sons, James Kempf (Renate) of Mountainview, CA, Robert Kempf (Monica) of Coplay, PA, Richard Kempf (Mary) of Gaithersburg, MD, a daughter, Marylou Alfonso of Las Vegas, NV, two grandchildren, Jacob and Dana Kempf, one sister, Barbara Sandbrook (Dean) of Wind Gap, PA, and one brother Edmund Ludwig (Roberta) of Derwood, MD, many nephews and three step-daughters. She was predeceased by her husband Allen R. Kostenbader in 2003 as well as her sister Mary Klingerman of CT in 2009.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 12 Noon, Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Community Church of Vero Beach.

Memorials may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, Doctors Without Borders, 333 Seventh Ave., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 or ALS Association 1274 K St. NW Suite 1050, Washington DC 20005.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory of Vero Beach. Online condolences may sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com