Joan Gleckel, career registered nurse
Joan Ann Gleckel, MSN, a career registered nurse, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Brandywine Seaside Pointe Assisted Living, Rehoboth Beach, at the age of 81, where she lived for the past five years. She was born Jan. 27, 1944, at Misericordia Hospital, Bronx, N.Y., to Della Mullen Gleckel, a fashion buyer, and George Gleckel, a regional sales manager. Joan inherited from them her Irish wit and ethnic humor, as well as her intelligence and formidable work ethic. She was predeceased by both her parents.
She is survived by her brother, Gerry Gleckel and his wife Susan; nephew, Gerry Gleckel Jr. and his wife Shayna; and great-nieces, Brittany, Rachel and Grace. In addition, she is survived by her niece, Laura Gleckel Unger and her husband Lt. Col. Clark-Christopher Unger, USMC; great-nieces, Hailey and Molly; great-nephew, Landon; and a multitude of cousins from both the Gleckel and Mullen sides of the family.
She was raised in New Rochelle, N.Y., while graduating from Resurrection Academy, a source of lifelong friendships and endless tales of “Us vs the Nuns.” Joan graduated from Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I., with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., with a master’s in psychiatric nursing; she also received advanced specialized training in gerontology from University of Maryland. After graduation, she remained in the D.C. area with positions at Sibley Hospital, Greenbelt Convalescent Center, Glendale Hospital, and Head Start. In Prince George’s County, Joan facilitated mental health services through the health department for public school students enrolled in special programs. The cooperative model was a new collaboration between the two organizations and was later expanded to preschool and elementary programs. For many years, she had a private counseling practice. For the State of Maryland, she held senior positions in psychiatric nursing until she retired.
In addition to nursing, Joan had a passion for the Delaware beaches and for real estate ventures. She and her pals from high school and college discovered the delights of Rehoboth and Dewey beaches right after college in the freewheeling 1960s.
Joan bought and sold properties in Greenbelt, Bowie, and Annapolis, Md., and in Bethany, Dewey, and Rehoboth Beach. She retired to her Rehoboth home in Breezewood, where she lived until moving to Brandywine Seaside Pointe Assisted Living in Rehoboth.
Joan was a superb entertainer and host known for her annual St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas galas. Her family and the many friends she had accumulated during her life enjoyed her generosity and hospitality. She welcomed visiting family and friends to her vacation beach houses. Joan was the person you could go to with a problem; her caring, no-nonsense advice was always spot on and usually delivered with humor.
Joan will be remembered as a caring friend, generous host, dedicated psychiatric nurse, and wise counselor. Joan’s compassion, humor, and devotion to her family, friends, and patients, young and old, were the hallmarks of her career and life.
