Joan Wohlgemuth Painter, passed away on July 25, 2025, at Sen. Bob Hooper House, in Forest Hill, MD, just three days before her 101st birthday.

She was born Joan Purvey, in Pangbourne, Berkshire, England, on July 28, 1924, to William (Jack) Purvey and Gladys Ford Purvey. Joan was educated in England through secretarial school. She began her working career during World War II.

Joan married Harold (Harry) Wohlgemuth, a U.S. Soldier stationed in England in 1945. In 1946, Joan immigrated to the USA on the Troop Transport Ship, the USS Brazil, full of war brides.

Joan was mother to John and Jean Wohlgemuth. Joan had her children in Bronx, NY, but soon moved to Hawthorne, NY, with her husband Harry, where they raised their children.

Joan worked at several secretarial jobs in the Hawthorne area before starting work at IBM. She spent over 30 years at IBM working in the Patent Department, rising to Administrator of Patent Records before her retirement.

After the passing of her first husband, Harry in 1986, Joan married Russell Painter. Joan and Russ moved to Hampstead, NC, where they had a long and fulfilling retirement. Joan enjoyed playing golf, bridge, Mah Jong, knitting, bowling, volunteering at the library at the local school, and caring for her dogs, Pixie and Rusty.

Joan was raised in the Congregational Church in Pangbourne, attended Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hawthorne, Pleasantville United Methodist Church, and the Lutheran Church of the Reconciliation in Wilmington, NC.

Joan is survived by her son John Wohlgemuth and his wife Bethany, her daughter Jean Willan and her husband Gary, grandchildren Edward (Ted) Wohlgemuth and his wife Rebecca, Robert Wohlgemuth and his wife Anna, Paige Willan and her spouse Laura, and Megan Willan, great-grandchildren Carter, Reese, Blair, and Ira Wohlgemuth. Joan was predeceased by Husbands Harry Wohlgemuth and Russ Painter and Granddaughter Karen Beth Wohlgemuth.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 10AM until 11PM, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 927 Pulaski Highway, Havre de Grace, MD. Funeral service will begin at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sen Bob Hooper House c/o The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 405, Bel Air, MD 21014, 0r Humane Society of Harford County, 2208 Connolly Road, Fallston, MD 21047.

Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.