Joan Schooley Parks Gillespie, 87, of Hendersonville, NC passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NY.
Born in Buffalo, NY, she was preceded in death by her parents, Elgin Schooley and Bessie Kelberer Schooley; her sister, Ruth Schooley Jones; and her husbands, Floyd L. Parks, Jr. and John “Jack” Gillespie.
She graduated from Bennett High School and earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Office Management from Bryant & Stratton College. Joan served as an executive secretary with the US Federal Government for 35 years, retiring in 1995. She settled in Hendersonville after the passing of her husband Jack in Englewood, FL because she loved the area. An avid patron of the arts, Joan also supported other charitable causes and loved to travel. She was of the Lutheran faith.
Joan is survived by her daughter, Leslie Parks Barbour, her husband, Gary, and their son, Charles Tucker Barbour; her son, Jonathan Grant Parks and his wife, Kathryn; nephew, Jeffrey Jones and great-nephew, Julian Coutts and his wife, Rebecca.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 pm Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Parkside Lutheran Church in Buffalo, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock, NC 28731.
To offer online condolences, please visit shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Tribute Wall