Joan Elaine Singer, 84, of Overland Park, Kansas, died on May 8 at Village Shalom.
Joan was born on Dec. 11, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, to her parents, Andy and Vivian Randall.
Joan and her loving husband, Jerry, lived in Overland Park and Lake Winnebago, Missouri, before moving to The Villages, Florida, 13 years ago. Joan moved back to Overland Park in 2020.
She graduated from Gardner High School and studied physical education at Emporia State University. Joan earned her BA in performing arts and theater from UMKC.
Joan performed in over 50 plays and musicals and directed productions throughout Kansas City and Florida. She founded and was president of Stage V, Inc., a theater production company in Overland Park. She was a board member and past president of The New Theater Guild, The Barn Players and The Tomahawk Drama Service League. Her talent was showcased as Mrs. Van Daan in the touring production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
As a member of the Overland Park Parks and Recreation Committee, Joan helped spearhead and create the Overland Park Children’s Farmstead in South Overland Park, which was later renamed the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. She was president of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, where she guided meetings and events. She was a member of Temple Shalom of Central Florida and The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park, where she was involved with Temple Sisterhood and gave back to the community through various charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Wounded Warriors, the American Heart Association and the National Kidney Foundation.
Joan also worked as co-owner and office administrator of Singer Industrial Sales, the family-owned business, from 1970 to 2003.
Joan enjoyed boating at Lake Lotawana and Lake Winnebago, Missouri. She also enjoyed ski vacations to Keystone, Colorado, and relaxing by the pool at her home in Florida. Most of all, Joan enjoyed hosting family and friends. She was dedicated to making everyone feel welcome in her home.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jerry Singer; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Stan and Selma Singer. She is survived by her son, Jeff Singer and his wife Julie of Leawood, Kansas; her daughter, Jill Bechard and her husband Tom of Montgomery, Ohio; four grandchildren, Jenna Taylor and her husband, T.J., Jared Singer, Jami Bechard and Jake Bechard; and great-grandson, Beckett Taylor.
Memorial services were held on May 16 at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Overland Park.
Shiva will be held later on May 16 at the home of Jeff and Julie Singer (14819 Fairway Court Leawood, KS 66224) beginning at 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Joan’s memory to Alzheimer's Association, Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, Village Shalom or Temple Shalom of Central FL.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
