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Joanne Hastings, accomplished decorator

May 13, 2014

Joanne S. Hastings had an amazing zest for life and was vital to the end, attending concerts and social affairs up until two days before she passed away in her sleep on December 17th of a prolonged illness. She was born in Wilmington on March 3, 1921, third of three children of Carl and Rudy Seybold. Her family moved to Philadelphia when she was 5 years old. Joanne graduated from West Philadelphia High School and, with honors, from the Philadelphia College of Art. Her career was in interior design with the DuPont Company in Wilmington, specializing in advertising and display. In addition to designing interiors for the Hotel du Pont, she also designed for the DuPont executive offices, Longwood Gardens and many residences. Her career in the arts allowed her to serve on several boards, including the Philadelphia College of Art, the Delaware Art Center in Wilmington and the Rehoboth Art League. Her interests besides art included golf, gourmet cooking, travel and the French language and culture.

Her loving husband of over 40 years was Edward C. Hastings, assistant treasurer of Hercules Inc. They retired to Rehoboth Beach in 1970. In 1997 they established the Hastings Heart Care Center at Bebee Medical Center in Lewes. Ed passed away in 2000.

Joanne moved from Delaware to The Glenridge in Sarasota, Fla., in 2004 and later to Plymouth Harbor. She was made a life member of the Alliance Francaise de Sarasota. She was also a member of the NSDAR, Sara de Soto Chapter, as well as an associate of the Selby Gardens and a member of the Sarasota Jazz Club and of the Ringling Museum. She was also a parishioner at the Church of the Redeemer. She was a Silver donor to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

She is survived by a sister, Ruth Howell of Naples, Fla.; nephews Stephen Medland of Orlando, Fla., and David Medland of Annapolis, Md.; and niece Gerry Woodman of Seattle, Wash..

Her ashes will be buried next to those of her husband in Rehoboth Beach, with an NSDAR ceremony.

A service will be held at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave. in Rehoboth Beach Wednesday, May 21, at 3 p.m.

Contributions in her honor may be made to the Col. David Hall Chapter of the NSDAR, Thomas Maull House, 542 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

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