Joan Wanda Haass, devoted to family
Joan Wanda Haass, 79, of Newark passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Jan. 31, 1941, in Milford, to the late Lawrence Owens and Clara "Cookie" (Draper) Robinson.
Joan was employed by Wilmington Trust for 32 years. She started her career working the night shift as a key punch operator, then moved on to the Newport Branch as a banking and loan officer for many years. Joan ultimately served as vice president and branch manager at various Wilmington Trust branches throughout New Castle County before retiring in 1998 with her husband, Ron, to jointly care for their parents.
Joan was a member of Peniel United Methodist Church in Newport for 28 years, serving as a Sunday school teacher early on. She was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Newark for 16 years as well.
Joan devoted her life to her family; she took great joy in watching the kids, attending all of their milestone celebrations and was always happiest with a baby in her arms. She hosted weekly Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings with her family, enjoying every minute of time spent with them. Joan loved going to the beach and spending time in Rehoboth and the Outer Banks for the multigenerational family vacations she organized. Joan also enjoyed the annual trips planned with her sisters. Joan wintered many years in the Florida Keys enjoying the warm sunshine. Her grandchildren always called her "Mom-mom Tractor" and will miss her dearly.
Joan is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Ronald Haass; three children: Barbara McCollum, Sharon Godwin (Dale), and Jennifer Scully (Thomas); seven grandchildren: Shane and Shannon McCollum, Matthew Godwin (Amanda), Meghan Shellem (Darren), and Brian, Shaun, and Callie McCollum; 10 great-grandchildren: Barry, Gianna, Jack, Sean, Nicholas, Kinsley, Kamryn, Alyana, Remy and Cash; three siblings: Doris Uhde, Beverly Midgett, and Mark Robinson (Janet); and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
In addition to her parents, Joan is preceded in death by her son-in-law, Sean McCollum; sister, Polly Gregory; and two brothers-in-law: Charles Gregory and Walter Uhde.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 26, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 526 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made payable to Delaware Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home, R.T. Foard and Jones Inc., 122 West Main St., Newark, DE 19711. To send online condolences, visit www.rtfoard.com.
