Joan K. Dwyer

Joan Kathleen (Mangan) Dwyer, 89 of Harrisville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 17th.

Joan was born on June 19, 1936 to William and Beatrice Mangan in Augusta, Michigan.

A feisty gal who was always a bit ahead of her time. In 1953, Joan graduated from St. Philip Catholic High School and went on to study nursing, earning her BS from Mercy College in Detroit in 1958. As an RN, Joan worked in as many diverse positions as she could find, including pediatrics, rehab, geriatrics and supervisory roles.

She met her husband, Paul Dwyer, at the Irish American Club in Detroit and were married in 1959. After starting a family, Joan balanced raising kids and continuing her career.

When Paul started a private law practice in Oscoda in 1972, she began a new life “up north” and they resided in Greenbush, where she worked as a school nurse for the Oscoda Area Schools, she retired in 1991 to focus her considerable talents on getting Paul elected to serve as District Court Judge in Alcona County. They were married for 67 years until Paul’s passing in 2024.

Joan was eternally creative, and she was a beautiful artist - her sewing, quilting and knitting were a joy to behold. Family and friends filled her heart. She loved to cook and occasionally teach her grand kids how to cheat at cards! Her humor and spirit knew no bounds and her welcoming home on Lake Huron was always a place where people loved to gather and visit.

Joan is survived by her son, Tom (spouse Candy) Dwyer, Wilkesboro, NC and her daughter, Marie (spouse Karl Benson), St Paul, MN, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.