Joan E. Curran, 79. of Traverse City and Marco Island, FL, died on November 25, 2017. She was born on February 2, 1938, to John and Elizabeth Engel in Yonkers, New York. Joan graduated from Tuckahoe High School in New York in 1956 and began working at Union Carbide Corporation in the Linde Division. There, she was an early proponent of maternity benefits for working women. After 30 years of service, she retired as Manager of Administration in 1986. Joan and her husband, Donald Curran, were married on Marco Island and were together for 45 years. Joan is survived by her husband; step children, Joanmarie Curran of Washington, Jill Steckley of Traverse City, David (Karen) Curran of Connecticut, five grandchildren, one great grandchild; step son -in- law, Tom Wallace of Swartz Creek; sisters Jean Clifford and Lorraine (John) Massaro of New York; brother- in- law Bernard Curran of Florida; and many nieces and nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Richard and Jack Engel; brother- in -law John Clifford, sister -in- law Lois Curran, step son- in- law Rick Steckley, step- son Donald Curran, and since Joan's death, her stepdaughter Jeanne Curran Wallace has apssed away.
Joan was a member of San Marco Catholic Church in Marco Island and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Traverse City. She was an avid walker and friend to everyone she met, always eager to lend an ear when needed and offer a sensible word of positive encouragement. She will be remembered as an empowering woman of impeccable wisdom, patience and strength.
The Mass of Christian Burial will celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, March 7 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Traverse City, with Father William Lipscomb officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery. For a more lasting memorial, donations may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tributes Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.