WINTER HAVEN - Dr. Joan Monahan, 82, of Winter Haven, Florida died on October 27, 2009 at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Auburndale, Florida due to heart failure.  

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerard Monahan, Florence Margery Johnson (mother), John Francis O’Malley (father), and Robert Monahan (stepson). She is survived by Robert (brother) and Sherry

(sister-in-law) Breisinger of Ohio; Virginia Breisinger Hellwarth (niece) of Illinois; Robert T Breisinger (nephew) of Ohio; and John O’Malley Burns (brother) of Virginia;

Mike (stepson) and Kathleen Monahan (daughter-in-law) of Pennsylvania, Deanna Monahan Lee (granddaughter) and Coral Lee (great granddaughter) of Florida, Kelli Monahan Wofford (granddaughter) of North Carolina, Patrick Monahan (stepson) of Illinois, as well as, many Dominican sisters, friends, and former students. 

Joan was a Professor/Writer who taught most grades from kindergarten to college in a career that spanned 57 years. She earned a doctorate in English from Kent State University, taught at Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio and Polk Community College in Florida. Prior to her marriage, Joan was a Dominican sister for 22 years. She lived in retirement in Winter Haven, Florida where she was an active, beloved member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Winter Haven. She was greatly involved in the Ministries: Eucharistic Minister/to the Sick; Lector; Praise & Mercy; Bereavement; and Prision. She taught occasional writing courses at a local correctional institution. She has published articles, poems, stories, and books. She also wrote a column for the Ledger for 18 years.   

A Memorial Mass will be at 11:00A.M., Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Winter Haven. 

Contributions can be made to St. Joseph Catholic School’s library in Winter Haven, Florida (863) 294-3144 in Joan’s memory.  Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com