Joan Marilyn (Hays) Findlay was born July 2, 1936 in southeast Nebraska.  DuBois, Nebraska was her home.  She graduated from Pawnee High School.  Joan married Merrill Findlay on December 12, 1952.  They were married 52 years until Merrill's passing in 2006.  She is survived by her children Teresa (Louis), Holly (Michael), Angela (Lynn) and John Patrick (Lisa).  Joan had six biological grandchildren: Alyssa, Catherine, Sean, Marc, Jacob and Daneal, and two great grandchildren: Dean and Lila.  Joan also had step children and many step grandchildren that she enjoyed.

Joan and Merrill moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1957 where three of their children were born.  In 1971, the family moved to Douglas, Arizona.  In 2002 Joan and Merrill moved to Cañon City, CO where Merrill passed away in 2006.  Joan moved to Spring, Texas in 2016.  Joan and Merrill loved to travel around the United States and made trips to Australia, Great Britain and China.

Joan had three passions during her life: her family, her church and the family genealogy.  Joan supported her family first and foremost in whatever capacity was needed from homemaker with the full cookie jar to working outside the home when necessary.  She was bookkeeper and partner in all the family businesses including residential rentals, laundry mat ownership and home construction as well as realtor for selling homes that Merrill built.  Joan served her church over her lifetime as organist and pianist, Sunday School secretary, and ladies' mission society leader in every community in which she lived.  Joan compiled the family genealogy, researching in Salt Lake City, Scotland and Ireland.  Her detailed research extends back to 834 A.D.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 29 at Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.  Joan's ashes will be taken to DuBois, Nebraska at a later date.

Services are under the arrangements of:

Allen Dave Funeral Homes and Crematorium

2103 Cypress Landing Rd

Houston, TX 77090

713-480-2966

www.allendave.com