Joan Kirwan Glander of Bradenton, FL and formerly of Venice FL and Atkinson NH passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025.
Joan was born to the late Raymond and Gertrude Kirwan of Rutherford, NJ, where she resided during her childhood. She was a graduate of St. Mary's High School in Rutherford, where she met many lifelong friends. After high school, she met her husband of 68 years, the late Robert "Bob" Glander. Joan and Bob settled in Oakland NJ to raise their family of five children. For Bob's career, they relocated to Atkinson, NH where Bob and Joan resided for 34 years, until retiring in Venice FL.
Joan's primary vocation was that of a homemaker where she dedicated her younger years to raising her five children. She was also there for nieces and nephews, and frequently there were extra kids at the dinner table. Joan was passionate about her family and her Catholic faith. She was very active outside the home, had numerous friends, interests, and participated in church, business, and public organizations. She served as the President of the Rosary Alter Society, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Oakland NJ; she and a friend formed a wedding planning business, before this type of business was popular; later she became a travel agent and enjoyed the places that the job had taken her. Joan was an excellent cook, she loved to entertain friends and family, and to share a good laugh. She enjoyed oil painting and was an active member of the Atkinson Garden Club and the Venice Newcomers Club.
Joan was predeceased by her husband Bob, and her son Kenneth Glander. Joan is survived by her son R. Michael and wife Tami (Jaeger), daughters Peggy (Glander) Ward and husband Patrick, Patricia (Glander) Whorf and husband Robert, Jennice (Glander) Mulwee and husband Scott, and daughter in law Shelby (Phillips) Glander. She ls also survived by grandchildren Robert Glander, Mark Glander and wife Jillian (Savastano), Briana (Glander) Hutton and husband Joseph, Kelly Glander and fiancé Jack Schonher, Benjamin Whorf, Jacob Whorf, Kaelyn Mulwee, Andrew Mulwee, step grandchildren Casey Ward, Craig Ward and wife Siobhan (McCarthy), as well as four great grandchildren.
A funeral mass for Joan is scheduled June 12, 2025, at 11am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bradenton, FL. Interment will be on a later date in Atkinson, NH.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joan's memory to the Chaplaincy program at Waters Edge of Bradenton, 2015 32nd Ave W, Bradenton FL 34205; or to St. Joseph Food Pantry, 2704 33rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
