Surrounded by her loving family, Joan Esther Pflueger Hartley passed peacefully from this world to the next on December 23, 2021. Joan’s last days were happy ones and she’ll be remembered for the joy and energy she brought to life and the graceful way she prepared for death.
Joan was born March 21, 1932 in Philadelphia, the daughter of Fred Henry and Ruth Maguire Pflueger. She grew up in Philadelphia, spending summers in Ocean City, NJ and spent most of her adult life in her beloved Narberth, PA.
March 12, 1955, Joan married Charles K. Hartley (Charlie), a union that continued until his death in 2012. An active and joyful parent, Joan raised son Steven Charles Hartley who predeceased her, and daughters Donna (Mike) Ferren, Debra (Mike) Albert and Sharon (Rick) Ferris. During their years at home she worked in the Lower Merion School System where she enjoyed making sense of the transportation for all students in the school district. Joan was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for many years, sharing her joyful spirit and love of country with her daughters and many of her daughters’ friends.
Upon retirement, Joan moved with Charlie to Ocean City, NJ where she spent what she described as the best 10 years of her life. She later relocated to Farmington, CT for 14 years to be nearer to her children and grandchildren. She lived the last year of her life in Hobe Sound, FL where she was able to enjoy every restaurant available and build a massive menu collection.
Joan loved life, family, friends, God, her country, and a good game of football! She loved painting, playing bridge, animals and the ocean. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren immensely and was named “Tutu” by the eldest, an endearing nickname that stuck throughout her later life.
Joan is remembered by her family as being friendly and fun-loving. She loved sunrise and morning coffee, the newspaper and a good puzzle. She played with her children and grandchildren as much as possible and loved everything from the beach to sledding with her kids. She loved gatherings of people and the sharing of food, events and spontaneity. She loved special occasions, dinners and parties and is remembered for always making the plans for the “next big event!”
She loved her community of Narberth, PA, where she actively engaged in local politics for 40 years. She loved celebrating the country with special events and neighborhood gatherings on the 4th of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day. The 4th of July was a particularly special day in her life, with a Narberth fair to attend, races and a celebratory march to John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” dancing in the street, followed by a neighborhood party and of course a walk through the screaming-tunnel to the playground to watch the fireworks. From summers as a child through 10 years of retirement, Joan loved Ocean City, NJ just as much. She formed deep and long-lasting friendships in both communities. Joan will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Survivors include Joan’s three daughters plus grandchildren Ashley (Aaron) Davis, Nikki (Kyle) Keperling, Steven (Helen) Ferren, Katie MacKenzie, Steven MacKenzie, Richard Ferris and Meredith Ferris as well as four great grandchildren, Julia and Luke Keperling and Sienna and Emmet Ferren and many adoring nieces and nephews. In addition to Charlie and Steven, she was predeceased by her only sibling, beloved sister Donna Ruth Pflueger Heley and son in law Richard Andrew Ferris.
Final arrangements for Joan have been handled by the Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel in Stuart, FL. No services are scheduled at this time. Joan’s family will honor her and spread her ashes in a joyous celebration of her life later this year, in accordance with her wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan’s memory to the nearest SPCA.
