Joan Eaton Mauk

Joan Eaton Mauk, Dec. 28, 1930 - July 23, 2021, peacefully passed away days after suffering a
massive stroke. Love of family was the center of her universe, as she was for them. Joan was born in
White Plains, New York, the middle of three daughters, to Jean (Ganong) and Henry B. Eaton II.
The family primarily resided in Calais, Maine. She attended Netherwood and Miss Porters School,
where she graduated as head of school. Joan went on to Colby Sawyer College, when she met her
future husband Bob, a student at Dartmouth College. They were married in July, 1951.
Joan shined as a wife, mother and community member. She delighted that a neighbor
mistook her for one of the kids when she was on a ladder painting the house eight years and three
children after marriage. A request for another transfer during Bobs career at Owens-Corning
Fiberglas was one too many, leading him to join Kenner Products toy company in Cincinnati. The
familys Indian Hill home was a bustling center of kids, friends, sports, casserole dinners, gardening
and gatherings. She and Bob travelled North America visiting family and friends, and the world
collecting memories.
Throughout her life Joan was active in volunteer and community organizations. Among the
those on which she served were Village of Indian Hill city council, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital,
Camp Stepping Stones, Indian Hill Church vestry, and Garden Club of America, hosting its annual
convention as president of the Cincinnati chapter. Joans reputation as an excellent athlete was wellearned.
She was Cincinnati ladies golf champion, played on many winning womens teams, shot trap,
fished and skied until multiple hip replacements put an end to all that.
Joan cultivated friendships as well as gardens throughout her and Bobs full lives, from
Farmington, Dartmouth, Perrysburg and Cincinnati. She and Bob spent portions of the year in
homes at Cincinnati, Vero Beach, Florida and Meddybemps Lake, Maine, the familys summer
gathering place. Most recently Joan resided in the memory care center at The Kenwood in
Cincinnati. On her 90th birthday during the covid lockdown, children, spouses, nieces, grandkids
and second cousins shared a video call with her expressing their love and remembrances. It was
crystal clear how her life has served as a model of character and grace, while embracing lifes joys
and its challenges.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Muriel Whitlock of Massachusetts (1987),
Alice Schernthanner of Ketchum, Idaho (2012), and Bob, her loving husband of fifty-seven years
(2008). She is survived by her children David (Deb) Portland, Oregon; Brittain Palmedo (Peter) Sun
Valley, Idaho; Andy (LouAnn), Terrace Park, Ohio; and Julie Vorpe (Dave) Montgomery, Ohio; nine
grandchildren Britt Long (Greg), Whitney and Perry Palmedo (Alana); Jamie Mauk; Hannah Barton
(Adam), Oliver Mauk, and Megan, Ashley and Katie Vorpe; as well as four great granddaughters,
Madeline, Amelia, Claire and Emory (Long).
Joan was known for her effervescent energy, sunny personality and resilience as she dealt
with fifty years of hip issues, Bobs cancer, her recent dementia and covid. Simply put, Joan was that
rare person who was a sure thing, always there, a pillar of strength and selflessness, for family,
friends and community, in good times and bad. Her presence as irreplaceable matriarch, hostess
with the mostest, and steady captain of the family ship will be forever missed by her loving family,
cherished friends and those communities she called home. A life well lived and a person well loved.
The family would like to acknowledge the care givers at Queen City Hospice and on memory
care north at The Kenwood for their professional & compassionate care. Services will be announced
at a later date. In her honor, memorial donations may be made to Greater Cincinnati Chapter
Alzheimers Association, Ste. 1026, 644 Linn St, Cincinnati, OH 45203 (alz.org), or Literacy Network
of Cincinnati, Ste. 309, 635 7th St, Cincinnati, OH 45203 (LNGC.org).