Joan Agnes Boyek

Joan Agnes Boyek July 18, 1929 - April 3, 2019 Joan Boyek was born in Glen Lyon, PA to Walter and Antoinette Boyek on July 18, 1929. She moved to Berwick, PA when she was 12 and attended Salem Elementary School and graduated from Berwick High School in 1948. She worked as a nurse's aide in Bloomsburg, PA and then moved to Wheaton, MD to live with family and continue her pursuit of a nursing career. Joan attended Washington Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing in 1954. She returned home to Pennsylvania to work at The Geisinger Medical Center in Danville but was invited to return to the Washington, D.C. area to work at the brand new Washington Hospital Center. She grew her career over 42 years including teaching, recruiting, training and leadership. For many years, Miss Boyek served as the Head Nurse and Nurse Manager in the Cardiology Department before her retirement. She was instrumental in developing an early program for patients undergoing open heart surgery with "Mended Hearts". She had many great loves including nursing, travel, music, animals, friends but more than anything, her family. It was almost impossible to see Joan without her sister, Ann. Two sisters have rarely shared a closer bond. Joanie was always happy to strike up a conversation with strangers. Children always brought her joy. She lived in a close knit, diverse neighborhood and always had treats for the neighborhood children. Joanie's travel adventures took her far and wide - all over the U.S. and to Europe and even Northern Africa, starting in the 1970s. She didn't love sports but she loved tossing balls with her grandnephew for hours. At the age of 48, she donned snow skis at the urging of her nephew, proving she was the cool aunt. She was the original Uber, driving her teen niece and nephews and friends all over the greater Washington area. Joan was especially proud of her Polish heritage and didn't like it when teased. Joanie gently passed away on the evening of April 3 at Washington Adventist Hospital, the very hospital where she studied nursing. She is survived by her loving family including her sister, Ann Laurence (Laurel, MD), Foster sister, Ellen Morgan (Jerry), niece Susan Cooksey (Marty), nephews David Laurence (Diane) and Scott Laurence (Jennifer) and great niece and nephews, Mitchell Cooksey, Charlotte, Finley and William Laurence. A graveside service for family and close friends will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, April 11th at Pine Grove Cemetery, Walnut Street, Berwick. Pastor Michael Sady of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Berwick will serve as the officiant. Joanie was a kind and loving woman who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and adored her.