Joan Roob

Madison - On Christmas morning, Joan Maxine Roob passed away peacefully in her home, with her children at her side. She was born on December 14, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to Ole M. Grinde and Hazel F. Grinde (Turk). She was a long time resident of Madison. She married John F. Roob in 1960 and had two children, Elizabeth R. Ireland (Barney) and J. Andrew Roob (Terese). Joan attended Beloit College and majored in Spanish. She was Mortar Board President, Delta Delta Delta Vice President, as well as many other activities. She thoroughly enjoyed her time at Beloit. Before marrying, she taught English and Spanish in small towns in Wisconsin: Columbus, Beaver Dam, Janesville; and Madison and Wauwatosa. After moving to Madison in the mid-1960s, she got involved with the Tri Delta Alumnae chapter and spent many years as the House Corporation President. Joan was committed to Tri Delta and worked to keep the chapter on campus through the turbulent late 1960s and early 1970s. She was also involved with the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and the neighborhood association when her children were young. When they were older, Joan worked for the Neckerman Agency for many years. Joan was also a life-long learner and took literature classes and was a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America for the last 25 years. Part of the fun of the Jane Austen Society is the Annual General Meetings held in a different North American city every year, and she and Elizabeth only missed a few in all those years. She also took trips to England, California, Savannah, Charleston, and many trips to Colorado to visit Andrew and family, and to Chicago, Maine and Florida to visit Elizabeth and Barney.

Ever the teacher, Joan held others to a high standard, while providing a model of integrity, honesty, and candor. More wonderfully, she was a sympathetic ear, thoughtful advisor and loyal supporter to her friends and family.

She is survived by her children Elizabeth Ireland (Barney) and Andrew Roob (Terese), two grandchildren, Elisabeth Marie Patch (Trevor) and Christopher Andrew Roob, her foster son John David Reighard, her nephew Fredrick Winer, her sister-in-law Reynolee Roob, and her little dog Josie who was a great comfort. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, and her sister Alice Winer and brother-in-law Aaron Winer.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Madison Humane Society, Friends of WPT, or a charity of your choice. Thanks to Agrace Hospice and our special friend Mary C. Tarr (and her family), who provided love and care to our mom on a daily basis. A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 30th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434