Joan Lee Piper Walden found her way home May 8, 2018. She was born in Flint, Michigan, March 22, 1933, the only child of Howard Foss and Leona Eloise (Mahan) Piper.
Joan was a complex and talented woman who enjoyed being active. As a child, she learned dance and that became part of her life's identity. Her parents bought a cottage on Lake Fenton when she was quite young. Enjoying movement and activity, she spoke often how most of her days were spent alone, yet in that solitude, she mastered swimming across the lake each day. Whenever she spoke of childhood the memory was anchored in the water of Lake Fenton.
During her teen years, she developed a painful shyness she never quite overcame. This allowed her to be content for a while working at home raising 4 children while supporting her extroverted husband in his church ministry and job. She was an excellent cook, trying new recipes and making each meal both colorful and healthy. Her homemaking skills extended to sewing clothes, hosting couples' dinners, planting flowers, and keeping a house so clean she got hives when things were out of place.
In her role as mother, Joan loved decorating for the holidays and creating festive meals to celebrate. Cakes at Easter had rabbit ears, and cookies at Christmas were frosted in such detail they could have sold as paintings. She began baking long before the holidays arrived, freezing her bounty for the buffets she would spread for her family's pleasure. Her talent was notable. She was an artist and sought to create beauty in everything she did.
Joan's church took more of her time, as her children needed her less. She joined Church Women United, an ecumenical group, and eventually became its president. Her creativity went to good use in developing services and worship centers. She found lifelong value in worshiping with other parts of the body of Christ.
As a woman of faith, Joan believed in healing and prayed for people's infirmities. Many times she experienced miracles and encountered God. In her later years, she wrote a book about her times within sacred space. It was titled, "How Beautiful Upon a Mountain." She leaves it as a legacy of faith for her grandchildren.
Following a deep pull to a family tradition unknown at the time, Joan decided to become an interpreter for those who are deaf. Her paternal grandfather and great-grandfather had both worked at the Michigan School for the Deaf, and her maternal great-grandparents had both been deaf. She earned her A.A. degree at Mott Community College then interpreted at Doyle Rider Elementary School in Flint, Michigan. She also volunteered to interpret at church. Through this work, she met her second husband who was a member of the deaf community.
Joan loved traveling and joined groups whenever she could. Her two favorite trips included visiting a daughter who was living in Israel and touring with another daughter through Italy.
Preceding her in death were her parents, ex-husbands, Richard Norman Walden and Louis Duane Granger, and children Linda Aliene Walden and Chris Howard Walden.
Joan is survived by daughters Laura Walden, Lisa Walden and Jody (Bob) Porter, grandchildren Andy (Cristie) Walden, Katie Walden, Aliene (Zach) Esperanza, Evan Petrie, Bo (Sarah) Petrie, Kendra Petrie, and great-grandchildren Mason Walden, Avery Walden, Atlas Esperanza, and granddogs Isaiah and Georgia, and grandcats Nellie May Foss and Henry.
Congratulations, Joan, you made it home. Healing, wholeness, and unconditional love are yours. You are blessed.
MOTHER: Leona Eloise Mahan
FATHER: Howard Foss Piper
1st HUSBAND: Richard Norman Walden
m. 31 May 1952 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
Court Street United Methodist Church
*divorced
2nd HUSBAND: Louis Duane Granger
m. 20 Aug 1988 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
*Married at Joan's mother's house,
927 Maxine St.
*divorced
Joan was a complex and talented woman who enjoyed being active. As a child, she learned dance and that became part of her life's identity. Her parents bought a cottage on Lake Fenton when she was quite young. Enjoying movement and activity, she spoke often how most of her days were spent alone, yet in that solitude, she mastered swimming across the lake each day. Whenever she spoke of childhood the memory was anchored in the water of Lake Fenton.
During her teen years, she developed a painful shyness she never quite overcame. This allowed her to be content for a while working at home raising 4 children while supporting her extroverted husband in his church ministry and job. She was an excellent cook, trying new recipes and making each meal both colorful and healthy. Her homemaking skills extended to sewing clothes, hosting couples' dinners, planting flowers, and keeping a house so clean she got hives when things were out of place.
In her role as mother, Joan loved decorating for the holidays and creating festive meals to celebrate. Cakes at Easter had rabbit ears, and cookies at Christmas were frosted in such detail they could have sold as paintings. She began baking long before the holidays arrived, freezing her bounty for the buffets she would spread for her family's pleasure. Her talent was notable. She was an artist and sought to create beauty in everything she did.
Joan's church took more of her time, as her children needed her less. She joined Church Women United, an ecumenical group, and eventually became its president. Her creativity went to good use in developing services and worship centers. She found lifelong value in worshiping with other parts of the body of Christ.
As a woman of faith, Joan believed in healing and prayed for people's infirmities. Many times she experienced miracles and encountered God. In her later years, she wrote a book about her times within sacred space. It was titled, "How Beautiful Upon a Mountain." She leaves it as a legacy of faith for her grandchildren.
Following a deep pull to a family tradition unknown at the time, Joan decided to become an interpreter for those who are deaf. Her paternal grandfather and great-grandfather had both worked at the Michigan School for the Deaf, and her maternal great-grandparents had both been deaf. She earned her A.A. degree at Mott Community College then interpreted at Doyle Rider Elementary School in Flint, Michigan. She also volunteered to interpret at church. Through this work, she met her second husband who was a member of the deaf community.
Joan loved traveling and joined groups whenever she could. Her two favorite trips included visiting a daughter who was living in Israel and touring with another daughter through Italy.
Preceding her in death were her parents, ex-husbands, Richard Norman Walden and Louis Duane Granger, and children Linda Aliene Walden and Chris Howard Walden.
Joan is survived by daughters Laura Walden, Lisa Walden and Jody (Bob) Porter, grandchildren Andy (Cristie) Walden, Katie Walden, Aliene (Zach) Esperanza, Evan Petrie, Bo (Sarah) Petrie, Kendra Petrie, and great-grandchildren Mason Walden, Avery Walden, Atlas Esperanza, and granddogs Isaiah and Georgia, and grandcats Nellie May Foss and Henry.
Congratulations, Joan, you made it home. Healing, wholeness, and unconditional love are yours. You are blessed.
MOTHER: Leona Eloise Mahan
FATHER: Howard Foss Piper
1st HUSBAND: Richard Norman Walden
m. 31 May 1952 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
Court Street United Methodist Church
*divorced
2nd HUSBAND: Louis Duane Granger
m. 20 Aug 1988 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
*Married at Joan's mother's house,
927 Maxine St.
*divorced
Joan Lee Piper Walden found her way home May 8, 2018. She was born in Flint, Michigan, March 22, 1933, the only child of Howard Foss and Leona Eloise (Mahan) Piper.
Joan was a complex and talented woman who enjoyed being active. As a child, she learned dance and that became part of her life's identity. Her parents bought a cottage on Lake Fenton when she was quite young. Enjoying movement and activity, she spoke often how most of her days were spent alone, yet in that solitude, she mastered swimming across the lake each day. Whenever she spoke of childhood the memory was anchored in the water of Lake Fenton.
During her teen years, she developed a painful shyness she never quite overcame. This allowed her to be content for a while working at home raising 4 children while supporting her extroverted husband in his church ministry and job. She was an excellent cook, trying new recipes and making each meal both colorful and healthy. Her homemaking skills extended to sewing clothes, hosting couples' dinners, planting flowers, and keeping a house so clean she got hives when things were out of place.
In her role as mother, Joan loved decorating for the holidays and creating festive meals to celebrate. Cakes at Easter had rabbit ears, and cookies at Christmas were frosted in such detail they could have sold as paintings. She began baking long before the holidays arrived, freezing her bounty for the buffets she would spread for her family's pleasure. Her talent was notable. She was an artist and sought to create beauty in everything she did.
Joan's church took more of her time, as her children needed her less. She joined Church Women United, an ecumenical group, and eventually became its president. Her creativity went to good use in developing services and worship centers. She found lifelong value in worshiping with other parts of the body of Christ.
As a woman of faith, Joan believed in healing and prayed for people's infirmities. Many times she experienced miracles and encountered God. In her later years, she wrote a book about her times within sacred space. It was titled, "How Beautiful Upon a Mountain." She leaves it as a legacy of faith for her grandchildren.
Following a deep pull to a family tradition unknown at the time, Joan decided to become an interpreter for those who are deaf. Her paternal grandfather and great-grandfather had both worked at the Michigan School for the Deaf, and her maternal great-grandparents had both been deaf. She earned her A.A. degree at Mott Community College then interpreted at Doyle Rider Elementary School in Flint, Michigan. She also volunteered to interpret at church. Through this work, she met her second husband who was a member of the deaf community.
Joan loved traveling and joined groups whenever she could. Her two favorite trips included visiting a daughter who was living in Israel and touring with another daughter through Italy.
Preceding her in death were her parents, ex-husbands, Richard Norman Walden and Louis Duane Granger, and children Linda Aliene Walden and Chris Howard Walden.
Joan is survived by daughters Laura Walden, Lisa Walden and Jody (Bob) Porter, grandchildren Andy (Cristie) Walden, Katie Walden, Aliene (Zach) Esperanza, Evan Petrie, Bo (Sarah) Petrie, Kendra Petrie, and great-grandchildren Mason Walden, Avery Walden, Atlas Esperanza, and granddogs Isaiah and Georgia, and grandcats Nellie May Foss and Henry.
Congratulations, Joan, you made it home. Healing, wholeness, and unconditional love are yours. You are blessed.
MOTHER: Leona Eloise Mahan
FATHER: Howard Foss Piper
1st HUSBAND: Richard Norman Walden
m. 31 May 1952 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
Court Street United Methodist Church
*divorced
2nd HUSBAND: Louis Duane Granger
m. 20 Aug 1988 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
*Married at Joan's mother's house,
927 Maxine St.
*divorced
Joan was a complex and talented woman who enjoyed being active. As a child, she learned dance and that became part of her life's identity. Her parents bought a cottage on Lake Fenton when she was quite young. Enjoying movement and activity, she spoke often how most of her days were spent alone, yet in that solitude, she mastered swimming across the lake each day. Whenever she spoke of childhood the memory was anchored in the water of Lake Fenton.
During her teen years, she developed a painful shyness she never quite overcame. This allowed her to be content for a while working at home raising 4 children while supporting her extroverted husband in his church ministry and job. She was an excellent cook, trying new recipes and making each meal both colorful and healthy. Her homemaking skills extended to sewing clothes, hosting couples' dinners, planting flowers, and keeping a house so clean she got hives when things were out of place.
In her role as mother, Joan loved decorating for the holidays and creating festive meals to celebrate. Cakes at Easter had rabbit ears, and cookies at Christmas were frosted in such detail they could have sold as paintings. She began baking long before the holidays arrived, freezing her bounty for the buffets she would spread for her family's pleasure. Her talent was notable. She was an artist and sought to create beauty in everything she did.
Joan's church took more of her time, as her children needed her less. She joined Church Women United, an ecumenical group, and eventually became its president. Her creativity went to good use in developing services and worship centers. She found lifelong value in worshiping with other parts of the body of Christ.
As a woman of faith, Joan believed in healing and prayed for people's infirmities. Many times she experienced miracles and encountered God. In her later years, she wrote a book about her times within sacred space. It was titled, "How Beautiful Upon a Mountain." She leaves it as a legacy of faith for her grandchildren.
Following a deep pull to a family tradition unknown at the time, Joan decided to become an interpreter for those who are deaf. Her paternal grandfather and great-grandfather had both worked at the Michigan School for the Deaf, and her maternal great-grandparents had both been deaf. She earned her A.A. degree at Mott Community College then interpreted at Doyle Rider Elementary School in Flint, Michigan. She also volunteered to interpret at church. Through this work, she met her second husband who was a member of the deaf community.
Joan loved traveling and joined groups whenever she could. Her two favorite trips included visiting a daughter who was living in Israel and touring with another daughter through Italy.
Preceding her in death were her parents, ex-husbands, Richard Norman Walden and Louis Duane Granger, and children Linda Aliene Walden and Chris Howard Walden.
Joan is survived by daughters Laura Walden, Lisa Walden and Jody (Bob) Porter, grandchildren Andy (Cristie) Walden, Katie Walden, Aliene (Zach) Esperanza, Evan Petrie, Bo (Sarah) Petrie, Kendra Petrie, and great-grandchildren Mason Walden, Avery Walden, Atlas Esperanza, and granddogs Isaiah and Georgia, and grandcats Nellie May Foss and Henry.
Congratulations, Joan, you made it home. Healing, wholeness, and unconditional love are yours. You are blessed.
MOTHER: Leona Eloise Mahan
FATHER: Howard Foss Piper
1st HUSBAND: Richard Norman Walden
m. 31 May 1952 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
Court Street United Methodist Church
*divorced
2nd HUSBAND: Louis Duane Granger
m. 20 Aug 1988 Flint, Genesee, Michigan
*Married at Joan's mother's house,
927 Maxine St.
*divorced
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