Joan Mary Suddendorf

Joan Mary Neuman Suddendorf entered her eternal reward on February 24, 2022 at age 72 after a series of medical complications took all her physical strength. Born on December 31, 1949 in Wenatchee, WA, she grew up in Indianapolis, moving to Cincinnati in 1965. After graduating from high school in 1968, she completed nursing school in 1971, and started working at Epp Memorial Hospital as a Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse. She met her husband, Larry there. They married on January 8, 1972. After a honeymoon in the Florida Keys, Larry left for active Army duty and Joan returned to work until joining him at Fort Sam Houston, TX, where they lived until transferring to Germany in 1973. She worked as a civilian nurse at the Army hospital. On December 2, 1974, their daughter, Kimberly Joan, was born. In 1975, they returned to Cincinnati to establish their home, raise Kim, and work. Joan became a charge nurse in various specialties at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. Their son, Matthew Lawrence, was born on November 25, 1979. Outgrowing their first home, they moved to a larger home in 1983 coinciding with the opening of a new Mercy Hospital nearby. Joan continued serving there until 2000, shortly after Kim’s death. She had returned to nursing school, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1990. Joan always kept very fit jogging several miles daily. Joan and Larry remained in Cincinnati until they built a home in Comfort, TX in 2004 after Larry’s civilian retirement. They became familiar with the Texas Hill Country because of their many trips to the San Antonio area during Larry’s continued service in the Army Reserve. Shortly after the big move, Larry was called back to active duty for 4 ½ years, and Joan maintained their home, including jogging 6 miles up and down the hills in the neighborhood. When he retired from the military in 2011, they began to travel around the area, show their classic car, and venture to new locations. Cincinnati was always frequent destination, visiting family, especially their three granddaughters. Unfortunately, Joan sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2013, which likely initiated mild memory difficulties. That didn’t even slow her down. When they discovered cruise line options in Galveston, they enjoyed that convenience many times. 2021 was a difficult year after Joan fractured her left hip in February. She recovered completely, warm and safe inside the rehab facility during the dangerous freezing weather across Texas. She gained mobility and they renewed their travels. It was a great opportunity to hold hands instead of a cane or walker. Then, in October, she fractured her right hip. Again, surgery was successful, but she sustained serious complications during rehab that sapped her physical strength and necessitated nursing home care. In her final weeks, Joan received excellent care from her fellow nurses at the facility and Hospice. Joan is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dr. Lawrence Suddendorf, their son, Matthew (Kathryn) of Milford, OH and their three daughters, Meredith Elaine, Lauren Kimberly, and Natalie Elizabeth. Eight siblings also survive her: Pam Stevens, Kay Sadler, Greg Neuman (Kathy), Russ Neuman, Ann Lucibello (Lance), George Neuman (Jura), Susan Kozminski (Terry), and Barbara Neuman, plus numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation will be held at the Evans Funeral Home, 741 Center St., Milford, OH 45150 on Friday March 4, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM on Friday at St Andrew Church, 552 Main St., Milford OH with burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Rd, Montgomery, OH 45249. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hill Country Memorial Foundation (Hospice): https://www.hillcountrymemorial.org/foundation/foundation-for-hcm/give-now/ ; a local animal shelter, or any charity of your choice.