On March 7th, 1941, a star fell from heaven, landing in Brooklyn, New York, and in the form of a bouncing baby girl, Joan was born, to the late
Glarice Ford and Farris Ruff. Her childhood was spent in Far Rockaway and Jamaica, New York. Joannie was educated within the New York City school system, graduating from Jamaica Vocational High School where Joannie majored in Tailoring and Dressmaking. She became most proficient in making garments for herself and members of her family. After graduation, Joannie worked in a factory specializing in making baby clothes for many of the top department stores. Joan met and married William Boatswain Junior in 1960; and from that union their daughter Valerie, was born. Joan then stayed home as a housewife and a mother for many years, nurturing and caring for her family. When it became necessary for her to return to work, she worked at many different jobs, including foster parenting, and lastly, as a home attendant, which really met her desire to be of service to others, thereby insuring her wards of the best care she could possibly give. Approximately four years ago, failing health caused Joan to give up her livelyhood and begin to pay more attention to herself. Each one that knew her has their own personal memories of Joan. And through our memories she will always be alive in our hearts and minds. Never one for a sad face or frown, Joannie took the bitter with the sweet and made us laugh about it. Straight forward, always calling a spade a spade, our Joannie never dressed reality up.


Joan leaves to mourn her loss,

her daughter Valerie, 1 granddaughter Shanel and 1 gandson Keith, a sister
Florence, 1 foster brother Robert, 2 aunts, Alva and Alfreda, 2 nieces,
Tanya and Cynthia. 5 nephews, Eric, Willoughby, Stephen, Darrin and
Russell a large number of greatnieces and greatnephews and a few
great-great nieces and nephews. She also leaves to mourn her cousins
Gerald, Ronald and Sandi and  many more relatives. Also many
loving and caring friends.

When first I heard my Aunt had passed I felt a pain that would forever last, the empty the void the memories and yes, the pain and tears. But then came smiles through all my pain I soon forgot my fears.Only once can you meet someone as
real and true an Joan And if she cared about you, you could feel it to the bone.
Never one to bite her tongue and always spoke her mind, "Boney Joannie" was just a call away and always a joy to find. When the chips were down and all
hope seemed gone I knew I could call and find Aunt Joan at home.

It didn't matter how many years had passed Aunt Joan brought you back to reality fast. After getting on my case about "just now calling" She'd start talking and laughing-on the floor I would be falling.The love that she gave me, The care
that she showed Tall as a waist-high garden That had never been mowed.