Joan Ziegler

Joan Louise Huffman Ziegler died peacefully on January 6, 2014.

She was the beloved wife of William L. (Bill) Ziegler for 64 years. She was the loving mother to Nancy Z. VonderPorten (Ken) of Pittsburgh, PA; Mary Z. Rankin of Columbus, OH; and Betsy Z. Dalton (Sean) of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. She was the adored grandmother of Kate, Emily, Molly, Tom, Cassie, Charlie and Meghan. She is survived lovingly by her brothers, Dr. Tom A. Huffman (Beth) of Longmont, CO and Dr. Dave I. Huffman (Lois) of Longview, WA; by her sister-in-law, Mary Z. Musselman, of Chagrin Falls, OH; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Joan grew up in Ravenna, OH, the beloved daughter of Dr. Iolas M. Huffman and Margaret F. Huffman. Her mother and father graduated from Ohio State University in the early 20's, where her father had been an All American football player. Joan was a devoted OSU football fan.

Joan attended Kent State University, where she studied to become a medical technologist. She met Bill Ziegler, a friend of her brother Tom's at Dartmouth College. Joan and Bill married in 1949 and moved to Dartmouth where Joan worked on campus at the College observatory while Bill completed his senior year.

The married couple moved back to Ohio and started their family, while Bill worked and studied law. Joyous summers were spent at her parents' cottage on Muzzy Lake, near Ravenna, OH. Joan volunteered her time to the Children's Guild, Fairmount Presbyterian Church, St. Luke's Hospital and Homecrafters.

Joan enjoyed flower gardening, tennis, skating and golf. She loved knitting, needlepoint, arts & crafts projects and sewing clothes with her girls. She was an accomplished artist who studied watercolor painting. Her love of art was evident in her frequent visits to the Cleveland Art Museum. She also loved listening to classical music and jazz, and attending symphonies at Severance Hall. Joan played the piano. She was an avid reader who enjoyed sharing books with family and friends. Joan had a great appreciation for family history and collecting antiques. She enjoyed telling their stories and passing them on to future generations.

Joan was an adventurer and always curious about the world around her. She loved to travel with her family. The station wagon trip to California in the 60's was a favorite to reminisce about with Bill and the girls. She loved looking at the many photo albums, carefully organized, from trips abroad with Bill.

Joan loved spending time at their home in Arizona and developed a deep appreciation for the desert plants, birds and wildlife. At home, Joan and Bill were avid bird and wildlife watchers. Their backyard became a "nature preserve" with its many feeders.

Joan was devoted to her family near and far and staying connected to them. Family gatherings were joyfully planned and loved by all. She enjoyed nothing more than hearing and sharing in the laughter of her children and grandchildren. Joan's greatest gift was her love of family and friends, and her ability to make everyone feel special.

Memorial contributions can be made to Judson Foundation, 2181 Ambleside Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106 or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, Contributions, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. A Memorial Service and celebration of life for Bill and Joan will be held at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44118 on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 11:00 AM. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service.


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