Joan Patricia Smith died peacefully at her home in Hampton on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at the age of 74.

Joan is survived by her husband of 51 years, Albert; her sons, Daniel (Amy) of Rochester, NY; James (Susan) of Johnson City, TN; and Edward (Catharine) of Rochester, NY.  She also is survived by her seven grandchildren, Evan (Stephanie), Danielle, Ethan, Alayna, Elizabeth, Molly, and Emma; and by her brother Joseph and her three remaining sisters Agnes, Eileen, and Maureen.

Joan was born on September 21, 1942, in Oceanside (Long Island), NY, to Joseph and Hannah Grimes.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Robert and Daniel, and her sister Anna Marie.

Joan was a Navy Wife and Navy Mom for 21 years.  As the wife of a US Navy submariner, she had to be independent, strong, and resilient – and she certainly was.

After becoming an empty-nester and before her health problems got the best of her, Joan worked as a library assistant at Hampton University and as a merchandiser for a Langley AFB base exchange contractor; she also was active as a volunteer, always trying to put more good into the community than she took out.

A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hampton at a later date.

Joan wished that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Food Bank of the Virginia Peninsula or to St. Joseph Church's building fund.