Joan M. (Purcell) Grier, 84, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Masonic Villages Elizabethtown. She was the wife of Donald L. Grier for over 64 years.
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late John E. and Marie B. (Gagnon) Purcell.
Joan began her career as a telephone operator with AT&T in New Jersey, retiring after a long career working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
She was a member of the Pennsylvania Order of Eastern Star, Elizabethtown Chapter 407.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are two children: daughter Evelyn Masters and son-in-law Gerard Frey, and son Douglas Grier and son-in-law Joseph Chaloka. Also surviving are a granddaughter Catherine Fischer and her husband Richard, as well as two great-grandchildren, Mary Catherine and Margaret Douglas Fischer. She leaves behind four nieces, Janet Bornstein, Christine Pavao, Marilyn Bernier, and Susan Gardner, and a nephew, John Gardner, along with many other dear relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lucille Gardner.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to Masonic Villages at Elizabethtown, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022.
Brandon Rodriguez
Joan was truly one of a kind; sweet, kind-hearted, quick-witted, but with a heart of gold. I met her when I was working at Country Meadows Allentown when she stayed for a short time, and we created a bond. We emailed each other and kept in touch. I finally got to see her in August, and I was so happy to see her, still laughing, being honest, and that quick comeback sense of humor. She was, and still is, a friend forever, and forever will have a place in my heart.
To the family, my thoughts are with you.
To Joan, I love you. I miss you, and we will see each other again.