JoAnn Carter, amazing mother, kind soul
JoAnn Carter, 80, of Milford, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at Cadia Healthcare in Millsboro. She was born in Wilmington Sept. 26, 1945, daughter of the late Stanley J. and Frances (Buchanan) Twardus. She attended Catholic elementary and middle schools, and proudly graduated from Padua Academy in Wilmington. She was a member of the St. Johns and St. Bernadette Catholic churches, and in many ways, she was a nun with four children, as her faith and devotion were so strong. Upon graduation, she married the love of her life, and they started a family, which was the center of her life. She and her husband shared the load, and they worked together in all aspects of life. As they ran a small family farm, she provided care for many children with in-home childcare, served thousands of children in the Milford School District meals over the years, oversaw the operations of Double J Stables, and was a principal teammate with the family business, Blue Hen Insulation.
All of these roles and responsibilities were important, however her calling was to be the greatest mother to walk the earth. Nothing ever took precedence for her over time with her family, be it her parents, her kids, grandchildren, siblings, nieces or nephews. She always sent a note, made a call to check in, or had a brownie or other sweet treat on the counter and seats at the table for family visits. Her kitchen was always warm, smelled of homemade goodness, and her mashed potatoes and fluffernutter sandwiches make James Beard look like an amateur.
Outside of the family, her favorite places were tending flowers in her yard, sipping coffee by a sunny window watching the hummingbirds feed, and sharing a puzzle with her children and grandchildren. She also cherished moments traveling with her husband John to visit family and friends, be it just up the road to see a neighbor or on one of many camping road trips across the country.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her best friend and husband of 59 years, John Paul Carter; a son, John Alan Carter; and her brothers, Bob Twardus, Jack Twardus and Dan Twardus.
JoAnn is survived by her sisters, Sue McKinney and Mary Jean Betley; her brother, Joe Twardus; her daughter, Connie Warren (Danny); her sons, Mark Carter (Sara Ganter) and Matt Carter; her grandchildren, Bryce Warren (Tara), Shannon Smith (Patrick), Courtney Carter, Brexton Carter, Jade Carter, Heron Carter, Sawyer Carter, Mason Moore, Julian Pons, Lucia Pons, Benno Pons and Foster Carter; and her great-grandson, Holt Warren.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17, at Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford. Interment will be private in December at Milford Community Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the VITAS Community Connection, vitascommunityconnection.org.
Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford.
Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at loflandandmcknatt.com.
