Joan Green Apter, 85, died unexpectedly Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, at home in Williamsburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Jerome Daniel Apter; as well as her son, Norman Dismukes Apter.
Joan leaves her daughter, Robin Howland Gemerek; son-in-law, Joshua Gemerek; three grandchildren, Beckhem (15), Henry (13) and Theodore (7) Gemerek; and daughter-in-law, Hsin Yi Eurydice Huang.
Joan was born April 13, 1934, in Manhattan, New York City, New York, to parents, Marjorie and John Dismukes Green. She enjoyed a quintessential childhood while residing in the Elkanah Deane House on the Palace Green in Colonial Williamsburg. Joan attended Matthew Whaley School from kindergarten through 10th grade and graduated from Saint Timothy’s School, Stevenson, Maryland. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. After finishing her studies, Joan worked at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center; spent time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and subsequently moved to New York City, where she worked at Lord & Taylor, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Macy’s.
Joan met her husband, Jerry, while working together at Macy’s in New York City. They were married Dec. 19, 1970, in the East Lounge of the Williamsburg Inn. Jerry and Joan relocated to Lakeville, Connecticut, in 1973, where she was employed at the Hotchkiss School, and moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1984.
Joan and her family moved back to her beloved Williamsburg in 1990, where she treasured years of singing in the Bruton Parish Church Choir, volunteering at the St. George Tucker House and working at Jamestown Settlement. Joan was a dear friend, a loving mother and a dedicated grandmother who treasured every moment spent with her grandsons. She had a gentle, thoughtful and welcoming nature, and she thoroughly enjoyed making friends everywhere she went. Joan also adored traveling, reading, watching films and supporting the arts.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, 331 W. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg.
