JOAN M. DORSEY
Date of Birth:  October 29, 1947
Date of Death:  November 23, 2016

Joan M. Dorsey peacefully departed this life on November 23, 2016 at the age of 69.  Joan was the seventh of eight children.  She was raised in rural Maryland (the country) on “The Lane” which they often times referred to as somewhere off Route 301.  She attended the Anne Arundel County Public Schools to include the segregated Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis.  Joan made her career at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center as a nursing assistant and dedicated 20 years of her life to that profession.

Joan was an active member at the Wilson Memorial United Methodist Church.  No one could march in the church choir like she could.  She faithfully served as a member of the Usher Board.  Her life goal was to take care of others and taking care of others who couldn’t take care of themselves.  She always made sure everyone was taken care of and never missed anyone’s birthday.  Every year Joan would prepare Thanksgiving dinner for the people in her community and had her family assist with serving.  She cooked so much that the residents were able to take the leftover food home with them.  She was also thoughtful about the residents who couldn’t walk to get dinner by making sure they received a meal as well.  She was instrumental with assisting St. John Church in providing care packages to seniors.  Joan’s concern for the homeless and the hungry were part of her everyday prayers.  She never hesitated to give to those in need despite not having much financially.

In addition to Joan’s church work, she volunteered at the O’Malley Senior Center in Odenton as a nutrition site aide in the Department of Aging Nutrition Program, ordering and serving meals to the seniors.  She loved being an active member of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary where she served food, worked all the fundraisers and events, attended countless meetings, and loved to work every night at the annual carnival in the Zoo Dip stand.  When Joan moved to Stoney Hill in Odenton, she was voted in as the community leader and advocate.  She never took her responsibilities lightly.  Even as a senior herself, she always checked in on the other residents of the community.  Joan was a hard worker in no matter what she took on.  She will be remembered as a strong, powerful, beautiful, intelligent, and passionate woman. 

Joan leaves behind three devoted daughters, Lisa, Sheila, and Rochic, her son Terrance, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, three sisters, two Godsons, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.