Joan Olivia Dathe, retired registered nurse

Joan Olivia Dathe, 69, of Rehoboth Beach passed away suddenly Sunday, March 21, 2021, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. She was born Feb. 7, 1952, in Dover, daughter of Medford Jr. and Eleanor Nowland Davis.

Mrs. Dathe devoted her professional career as a registered nurse working at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, N.J., where she worked in the coronary and oncology areas of the hospital. Prior to her retirement, she had transitioned over to working in the Hospice Division of the hospital where her efforts were dedicated to helping families through the hospice experience.

She enjoyed being a member of Kings Creek Country Club where she had met and developed many long-lasting special friendships. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.       

She is survived by her husband, Robert Fred Dathe; her two daughters, Kristan Spamer (Donovan) of New York City, N.Y., and Lauran Dathe of Morris Plains, N.J.; two brothers, Medford Davis III (Cathy) of Rehoboth Beach and Ray Davis (Linda) of Smyrna; two sisters, Gail Mack (Greg) of Lewes and Susan Durham of Smyrna; two grandchildren, Logan and Hayden; a sister-in-law, Joan Frazier (Charles) of Toms River, N.J.; and many nieces and nephews.

All services will be private by invitation for the immediate family. Livestream of the funeral services will be available Thursday March 25, at 11 a.m., at the following online address:

https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1128191. 

Burial will be private in Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach.

Professional services are entrusted to the care of Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or to Brandywine Valley SPCA of Georgetown, 22918 Dupont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947.

Please visit Mrs. Dathe's Life Memorial webpage and sign the online guest book at parsellfuneralhomes.com.