Joan Mills Prentzel

Joán Mills Prentzel (aged 95) died peacefully in her sleep on July 31, 2024 after being surrounded by the love of her extensive family. Joan (pronounced Jo ‘An) was born in Johnstown, PA with 4 siblings and later moved to Chevy Chase, Maryland where she attended Chevy Chase high school. Her father (who had been a Greenbay Packer) died when she was only 3 and this had a remarkable impact on her life. She was the only child in her family that attended college and was grateful to study early childhood education at Marjorie Webster College. She loved playing bridge and at age 19 she met the love of her life Harold Thompson (Tom) Prentzel while playing bridge with her college friend Lois Joyce Prentzel. She and Tom married in 1954 and soon thereafter began their family. Joán had 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. After marrying Tom and living briefly in NY and VA, she happily settled in Cupsaw Lake, Ringwood and Kampfe Lake Bloomingdale, where she enjoyed trees and views of water. Her love of kids, trees, birds and interest in people guided her life. She championed conservation and traveled to 6 continents where she and her husband Tom climbed Mt Fuji, and Kilimanjaro among other mountains.

After raising their 5 children and working as a nursery school teacher, she then attended William Patterson college and Rutgers University where she received her Masters in Social Work (MSW). Among her life accomplishments, Joan is remembered as a dynamic nursery school teacher, a caring social worker (including work at the Karen Ann Quilan Center for Hope a Hospice facility) and was an active member of the Democratic Party. She was always into inclusivity, racial justice and helping the less fortunate. She had a spunky energetic personality and later in life got a peace sign tattooed on her arm because she believed war was “stupid”. She met Jimmy Carter while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. She continued to enjoy playing bridge and achieved a World Master status.

Joán was pre-deceased by her daughter Nancy Prentzel and her 3 sisters Shirley Kreiger, Peggy Parrish, and Natalie Warren. Joán is survived by her loving husband Tom Prentzel, her brother Stanley A. Mills, her adult children Jane Pedreira, Tommy Prentzel, Sue Maurer (and John), and John Prentzel, grand and great grandchildren.

Joán’s wish is to be buried in Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown, PA with her ancestors. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Karen Ann Quilan Hospice https://karenannquinlanhospice.org

A celebration of Joán’s life will be held at Kampfe Lake at a later date.