Joan Marie Luttge

Joan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 19th, 1932, to William and Margaret Wiggins. She grew up in New Hyde Park, New York, but also (through her dad’s naval service) lived in Annapolis, Maryland and the Philippines (where she had a duck and a monkey for a pet). She graduated from Sewanhaka High School with the nickname “wiggles”.

After high school, Joan rode the train to work in New York City. She loved the city, especially the jazz music scene. She and her friends found their way into the clubs, where they enjoyed the likes of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Stan Getz (whom she spoke to on stage after introducing herself). Joan was a very sociable person and loved a good gathering of friends and a chance to get a little wild. She also had a love for the natural world and nowhere more so than the ocean. She and her future husband (Ron) spent many a day (and night) at Joan’s Beach on Long Island. Later she swam and beachcombed along the coasts of California, Oregon, Florida, South Carolina, and Maine. Joan was a highly spiritual person, not always to be found in a church, but always in her heart.

Joan and her husband had 4 children and together traveled (and lived) all over the United States and Europe, following Ron’s work assignments. Every step of the way, no matter the location or the length of stay, she made a home for her family, providing strength and comfort, while enjoying the adventure. Joan was the mom who always made her kids' friends feel welcomed, cared for, and (of course) fed. She was an adventurer, whether driving a jeep full tilt into the forests of Colorado, hiking the Appalachians, or ice skating on a frozen mountain lake. She made life fun. Later in life, she discovered her love of drawing and pottery, while enjoying the challenge of community college. She could also be found touring the wineries of Napa Valley or dressing in character for a book club review.

Recently, Joan said she has had a wonderful life, and her life had been enriched by the many places the family lived and experienced. She said she had a great and honest husband and together (71 years) they had fun, but also some tough times. With their strong love for each other and their children, however, they got through them all. Joan was preceded in death by her husband (Oct 2023), and is survived by her 4 children. The family will be honoring Joan in a private dispersal of ashes. She will be missed always and forever valued by all who knew and loved her.