Obituary of Joan Davis Witting

Joan Davis Witting… 1/4/1935 – 11/23/2020 – The Villages, FL  Joan Davis Witting, 85, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, November 23^rd, 2020.  She was born January 4, 1935, in Charleston, West Virginia and married her college sweetheart, Paul Witting, in 1957. 

Joan is survived by daughter Pam; son Dean and wife Nell; grandchildren Riley, Elizabeth and Claire; nephew Brian and wife Wendy; children Betsy and Charlie; brother-in-law, Steve Wall; nephews Kevin, Kyle, Darren and niece, Colleen.  Joan graduated from West Virginia University. 

Joan worked as a home economist, for Appalachian Electric Company, in Charleston, then taught home economics in Youngstown, Ohio.  Joan began teaching swimming lessons, after meeting Greta Anderson, who at the time, was well known for teaching tiny-tots and babies.  Joan taught swimming and drownproofing, for 40 years and was the Adaptive Aquatics instructor for the Red Cross, for 22 years, in Grand Rapids, MI.  Her passion for swimming, lead her to teaching infants through older adults, as well as the disabled.  Joan and her husband Paul, were avid sailors, throughout their marriage - ­sailing on the West and East coasts, and throughout the Great Lakes.  Upon retirement, they explored the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the intercoastal Waterway, from Maine to the Bahama’s, living on their trawler 6-7 months per year, for 8 years.  Paul and Joan lived in Charlevoix, Michigan, for 23 years and were most recently living in The Villages, FL.  

There will be a ‘Celebration of Life’ at a later date.  Those who wish to remember Joan may send memorial contributions to Paws with a Cause.  National Headquarters, 4646 South Division, Wayland, MI 49348 or Cornerstone Hospice of The Villages, Cornerstone Hospice Foundation – 2445 Lane Park Rd, Tavares, FL 32778, or a charity of your choice.  Memories and condolences can be shared at www.Hiers-Baxley.com, Obituaries. Tributes/Joan Witting.