Joan Klein Phillips, 85, of Ocean City, New Jersey, and Fort Myers, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026, at her childhood home.
Born on February 26, 1941, at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, New Jersey, Joan was the daughter of the late Frederick W. Klein Sr. and Grace (Kreckman) Klein. She graduated from Ocean City High School (Class of 1959) and attended Muhlenberg College.
Joan lived life to the fullest during the last decade, facing progressive Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain with unwavering faith, resilience, and grace. After being struck by a car while riding her bicycle in Ocean City ten years ago, she and her husband, Dave, refused to let adversity define their lives. Together, they continued traveling, laughing, and embracing each day. Just one month before her passing, Joan enjoyed one final ride on the Ocean City Boardwalk aboard her treasured three-wheel pedal-assist trike. In 2024, she and Dave fulfilled one of their last bucketlist dreams by traveling to Gibraltar to see the Barbary macaques. Whether at Shell Point in Florida or back home in Ocean City, Joan was surrounded by loving neighbors, extended family, and lifelong friends.
Joan met the love of her life, David M. Phillips, on the Ocean City Boardwalk during the summer of 1957 while making cotton candy at the Gillian’s Fun Deck. They were married in January 1962 and shared more than 64 wonderful years together. Their life took them across the country, living in St. Davids and Berwyn, Pennsylvania; Ocean City, New Jersey; Cincinnati, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Plano, Texas; and wintering on Florida’s Gulf Coast. No matter where life led them, Ocean City was always home.
As a newlywed, Joan worked for Bell Telephone before building a successful career managing medical practices across the country and later operating her own medical consulting business. Her favorite job, however, was with American Airlines, where, as she often joked, “The paycheck wasn’t much, but the travel benefits were priceless.” Together with Dave and their extended family, Joan traveled to all seven continents, creating treasured memories around the world. She was also a Five-Star Holland America Mariner, having spent more than 500 days at sea.
Joan was a member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church and enjoyed attending performances by the Ocean City Pops and services at Ocean City Tabernacle. She was also a proud member of the Ocean City Yacht Club for more than twenty years.
She loved staying active. In her younger years, she ran 5Ks, and later could often be found walking to the Inlet or riding her trike, taking great joy each time she beat her grandchildren to the end of the boardwalk! She instilled in them her lifelong love of reading, the ocean, and swimming. Her grandchildren would tell you that any athletic ability they possess came from her encouragement, enthusiasm, and unwavering love. Joan was honored to be nominated by her grandsons, Jeffrey and Jordan Rogers, for the 1998 Search for Granny Smith Competition. After being selected as the “World’s Greatest Granny,” she represented the Washington State Apple Commission at events throughout the United States.
Joan is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, David M. Phillips; her daughter, Jill Phillips Rogers of Ocean City, New Jersey, and grandsons Jeffrey and Jordan Rogers; her son, David M. Phillips Jr. (Karen) of Laramie, Wyoming, and grandchildren Annie, Birch, and Benjamin Phillips; her brother, Frederick W. Klein Jr. (Gene’) of Charlotte, North Carolina; her sister-in-law, Judy (Jay) Phillips Anglada of Easton, Maryland, and Vero Beach, Florida; her sister-in-law, Susan Walters of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family members with whom she shared countless holidays, celebrations, and adventures.
In Joan’s honor, please raise a martini — or your favorite beverage — and celebrate a life well lived. She often said, “A lady always knows when it is time to leave.” True to her words, Joan left this world on her own terms, surrounded by love, and remembered with the dignity, grace, and quiet strength that defined her life. Joan wished for her ashes to be scattered at sea. Details of a celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to NJ Health Hospice and Palliative Care, her extraordinary caregivers and companions, the nursing staff, and all who supported Joan with compassion throughout her journey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s honor to the Shore Medical Center Lighthouse Keeper’s Society. Donations may be made online at Giveto Shore.org or mailed to: Planned Giving & Development, Shore Medical Center, 100 Medical Center Way, Somers Point, NJ 08244.
