"God on high. Hear my prayer. In my need. You have always been there."- Jean Valjean
Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and advisor, our fierce and beloved Joan Koch died on October 30th, 2024, after a ferocious fight for life in Thomasville, Georgia. She was 88.
Joan was born in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, to the late Russell and Verna (Stroll) Smith. She was predeceased by her sister, Jean Keiper, and survived by her sister Doris Runyon. Joan was married for 52 years to her soulmate, Paul Koch. She dedicated her life to children. Before starting her own family, she was a nanny to the renowned ballerina, Gelsey Kirkland and her sister, Johanna. She went on to love and support her five children, Larry Dierkes, Paul Koch, Theresa Zongora, Daniel Koch and John Lawler. Realizing that she had so much more love to give, she and Paul went on to adopt 4 daughters, Jennifer Clark, Courtney Koch, Raven Jones, and Stormy Brown. She and Paul also opened their home and hearts to numerous foster children and Fresh Air Fund (freshair.org) kids, including Claudine Nieves, who she regarded like family along with her bonus daughter, Robyn Graul. She has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
As the heart and soul of the family, Joan gifted us her guidance, companionship, and expressed her love through cooking delicious homemade meals. Joan was an avid reader, a defender of animals, and had a soft spot for "Burtie Baby" Burt Reynolds, Johnny Mathis, and a deep appreciation for the theatre and Josh Early's buttercreams.
She loved her family deeply. We love her just as much. So now, mom, rest in peace, you have no more pain, "No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears. [we're] here, nothing can harm you. [Our] words will warm and calm you. Let [us] be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears. [We're] here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you."-Phantom of the Opera
In lieu of flowers, please honor Joan by donating to the ASPCA @ aspca.org. A celebration of Joan's life will be held in Thomasville, GA, November 30, 2024. Please contact cdlkoch@gmail.com for additional information.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan Marie Koch, please visit our flower store.
Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and advisor, our fierce and beloved Joan Koch died on October 30th, 2024, after a ferocious fight for life in Thomasville, Georgia. She was 88.
Joan was born in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, to the late Russell and Verna (Stroll) Smith. She was predeceased by her sister, Jean Keiper, and survived by her sister Doris Runyon. Joan was married for 52 years to her soulmate, Paul Koch. She dedicated her life to children. Before starting her own family, she was a nanny to the renowned ballerina, Gelsey Kirkland and her sister, Johanna. She went on to love and support her five children, Larry Dierkes, Paul Koch, Theresa Zongora, Daniel Koch and John Lawler. Realizing that she had so much more love to give, she and Paul went on to adopt 4 daughters, Jennifer Clark, Courtney Koch, Raven Jones, and Stormy Brown. She and Paul also opened their home and hearts to numerous foster children and Fresh Air Fund (freshair.org) kids, including Claudine Nieves, who she regarded like family along with her bonus daughter, Robyn Graul. She has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
As the heart and soul of the family, Joan gifted us her guidance, companionship, and expressed her love through cooking delicious homemade meals. Joan was an avid reader, a defender of animals, and had a soft spot for "Burtie Baby" Burt Reynolds, Johnny Mathis, and a deep appreciation for the theatre and Josh Early's buttercreams.
She loved her family deeply. We love her just as much. So now, mom, rest in peace, you have no more pain, "No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears. [we're] here, nothing can harm you. [Our] words will warm and calm you. Let [us] be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears. [We're] here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you."-Phantom of the Opera
In lieu of flowers, please honor Joan by donating to the ASPCA @ aspca.org. A celebration of Joan's life will be held in Thomasville, GA, November 30, 2024. Please contact cdlkoch@gmail.com for additional information.
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