Joan Gladys (Sharp) Woodward

SAND CREEK - Joan Gladys (Sharp) Woodward, 91, of Sand Creek died peacefully at home early Sunday morning November 28, 2021 with her special niece & caregiver of 5 years- Sindy & Steve Hallett by her side, while under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. Born March 24, 1930, Joan was the eldest of three children to Harold W. And Pauline (Robertson) Sharp. Joan’s lifetime pursuit was in education. After graduating from Adrian High School in 1947 and Lenawee-Monroe County Normal in 1948, Joan attended Eastern Michigan University over various summers, earning both her Bachelor’s & Master’s degree in Education. She was a life member of both the National and Michigan Education Associations. She also received a Wall Street Journal Fellowship at the University of Michigan one summer. On May 24, 1950, Joan married Elmer Hugh Woodward. He preceded her in death in 1998. Joan was an educator in the Blissfield Community Schools for over 30 years. Her last eighteen years in the profession were spent teaching in the high school English Department. In her spare time, Joan enjoyed gardening, porcelain doll making, basket weaving, caning chair seats, and was an avid reader and bird watcher. Joan was also active at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian. In 1975 she attended a two-week theater workshop at Adrian College which introduced her to the love of the theater and the Croswell. Over the course of the next 39 years, she volunteered her time, talents, and efforts in various areas at the Opera House, including building sets, sewing costumes, supervising summer student workers, and research resulting in a day-to-day history of the Croswell events from 1867 to present time. She also served as the Croswell Board Secretary. In addition to her parents and husband, Elmer, Joan was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Robert McDonald and nephew Steven McDonald. Joan is survived by her sister-Carolyn McDonald, brother-John (Susie) Sharp, nephew-Mark McDonald and family, the children and their families of Steven McDonald, nephew-Dr. Josh Sharp, nephew-John (Rosemarie) Sharp II, niece-Diane (Greg) Slack and family, niece Debra (Paul) Hunt and family, niece-Sindy (Steve) Hallett her family: great niece-Hollie (Matt) Hillard, children-Vernae & George, great niece-Heather Hallett and son-Jehovanee, great nephew-Adam (Amber) Hallett, children- Anna, Abbie and Aiden. Per Joan’s request, cremation has taken place. The family will hold a private graveside service for Joan at Palmyra cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with Elmer. Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel, Blissfield has been entrusted with arrangements where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com. The family suggests that memorial contributions to honor Joan Woodward be made to the Croswell Opera House.

Joan Gladys (Sharp) Woodward

March 24, 1930 - November 28, 2021