Obituary of Joan Brand

Joan Ann Brand died peacefully on October 11, 2014 in Katy, TX after a long and courageous struggle with ALS. Joan was the daughter of William D. and Anna (Strecker) Kaufmann, born on August 14, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Dorothy Pekny, Louise Donnelly and Frances Birmingham, and her sister-in-law Dorothy Koslosky. She is survived by her husband of more than 58 years, John H. (Jack) Brand of Katy, son John H. and daughter-in-law Carol S. Brand of Katy, brother William and Lynda Kaufmann of Jupiter, FL, nieces and nephews, her caregivers, notably Ugo Craig who aided her for her last six years, and many loving relatives and friends.

Joan was a resident of Philadelphia for 60 years, working in a variety of secretarial jobs, most recently in real estate. She volunteered at the USO and Red Cross, and was a member of the Police Advisory and local civic association. She was also a Lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol in Philadelphia. For many years she volunteered at the Feltonville branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, a vocation she continued after moving to Katy, TX at the Katherine Tyra branch in Bear Creek. Joan was an avid sports fan, especially of football, and particularly of the Philadelphia Eagles.

In Katy, Joan and her husband have been members of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Katy for over 20 years where they belonged to the Happy Hearts seniors group for whom they organized many excursions around the state. Joan will be remembered for her engaging personality and her unwavering commitment to family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel at 1508 East Ave. in Katy, where a rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2014 at the St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, in Katy, with Rev. Wayne Wilkerson, Celebrant. There will be a visitation from 9 to 11 A.M. on Tuesday October 21 at the Kirk & Nice Suburban Chapel on the grounds of Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery at 333 County Line Road in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, followed at 11 AM by the gravesite ceremony.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to ALS research or to the St. Bartholomew Building Fund.