Obituary of Joan Abigail Stanford

Beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend, Joan Stanford, born Joan Abigail Bradford, April 28th,1922 in Birmingham, England, passed away on November 19, 2013. Joan was a lovely redhead with a feisty spirit and strong love of her family. She was a true piece of history, living through WWII in England. She married Kenneth Charles Stanford while on 21 day survivor's leave from the Royal Navy in 1944. After the war they ventured to America where they established a happy life and raised their children John (1948) and Susan (1953). Joan was an energetic member of her community, smart, organized and loved by many friends. In addition to being a wonderful homemaker, she trained as a librarian, worked as a real estate agent, was active in the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), and the Girls Scouts of America and even grew award winning Daffodils in her lovely garden. Joan was a leader of the Pohick Church Needlepoint Guild and her beautiful designs and needlepoint kneelers, banners and alter rug, live on in the historic church in Lorton, Va. On top of all these achievements Joan made the best chocolate chip cookies and homemade lemonade on the street. Her grandchildren will never forget playing in Nana's beautiful garden or her lavender scented hugs. After Kenneth died in 1993 after 53 happy years of marriage, Joan was heartbroken but remained strong as always and eventually fell in love and married David Jeffries in 1995. They traveled the world together with homes in both Virginia and Birmingham, England. Joan lived a long, exciting and happy life. She will be sorely missed by her family. Joan leaves behind her husband David, son John, daughter Susan, grandchildren Heather, Jason, Allison, Joel and great-grandchildren Natalie, Cameron,Nathaniel, Annabelle, Audie, and River. Her loving family will remember and love her always. She was an incredible woman. Donations may be made in her name to http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/donate/donate-online