Joan G. Cropper
June 14, 1930 ~ January 28, 2022
Joan G. Cropper
1930-2022
SCARBOROUGH--Joan G. Cropper, 91, of Scarborough, died Friday January 28 in Scarborough.
Joan was born in Queens, New York on June 14, 1930 the daughter of Richard and Moya (Blagden) Grald. She grew up in Queens and went on to attend Oswego State University, Hofstra University and eventually, the University of Hawaii. While studying for her Advanced Degree, she met her husband to be on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii and she was married to Donald Cropper in 1969. They were married for 48 years.
Joan worked as a 6th grade teacher in Levittown, New York at the Summit Lane Elementary School for 30+ years. Joan loved her students and enjoyed the summers off to spend time with friends and family on Long Island's South Shore beaches or at the Syosset/Woodbury Community pool.
Joan enjoyed gardening, reading, watching sports with her husband, travelling across the US and abroad as well. She was a big supporter of her son, Douglas, and his teammates in their sporting events up and through high school and college. She enjoyed spending the holidays with the Kliens, Kushners, Mannings, Kasvens and Kuos. In her later years, Joan loved being a Grandma and spending time with her granddaughter, Olivia.
Joan was predeceased by her husband, Donald in 2018, her brother, Jack Grald and her sister-in-law Beverly Grald.
She is survived by her son, Douglas Cropper and his wife Stephanie, of Scarborough and her granddaughter, Olivia, her nephews Christopher Grald and wife Amy of Ohio, Eric Grald and wife Michelle of New Hampshire and Jon Grald and his partner Betsy Vicencio of New York; a niece, Helyne Hamelburg and her husband Stephen of Masschusetts and so many other friends that she considered family.
A graveside service will be held at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a time to be announced in the spring.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.
To visit Joan's memorial page or share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital @ www.stjude.org
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Ms. Joan was a dear neighbor and friend. I recall that she would always have tomatoes available when I asked for them to use in a soup broth. On one occasion our car service didn’t show up for an airport drop off and she made herself available to take us within a moments notice. Our eldest daughter has fond memories of having cookies at her home. Miss Joan and Mister Donald would sit for hours with us chatting in the driveway on hot summer afternoons, sharing tidbits of teaching or living in Queens. She reminded me of the Unsinkable Molly Brown in that she was from this area but stood out in strength of character and opinion. She will be missed! Kevin, Celeste Kuo & Kids
– Kevin Kuo
I grew up with Ms. Joan as my neighbor and fondly remember Thanksgivings at her house, where I was able to stuff myself with the foods that were considered more exotic in my own household. Her home was filled with friends on those holidays, and I didn’t realize back then how unusual that actually was. Thanksgiving is a holiday for big family gatherings, and she treated us as family. As an adult, I came to understand how unique her life choices were as a woman living in those times. It was truly bold to seek higher education, world experiences, and to wait as long as possible to get married and have a child. Thank you, Ms. Joan, for teaching me how to live life as a woman who isn’t afraid to go against the grain of societal expectations. Thank you for showing me how water can be thicker than blood. -Patty Kuo
– Patty Kuo
Sorry for your loss, Doug. Your parents were neighbors at Juneberry Place, and we enjoyed their company for as long as we had it. Please accept our condolences. Terry and Jack
– Terry and Jack Fay
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home – South Portland Chapel
– A Memorial Tree was planted for Joan Cropper
I am so sorry to hear Mrs. Cropper passed last January. She was my 6th grade teacher at Summit Lane Elementary. One of the best teachers I’ve ever had. May she Rest In Peace.