Obituary of Joan Victoria Born

Joan Victoria (Dipple) Born, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph, following an illness. She was born on October 16, 1920 in London, England to the late William and Rose Victoria (Hammond) Dipple. On June 26, 1943, in the midst of World War II, Joan became a "war bride" and wed the late Frederick William Born in London. Joan worked in British Intelligence at the Foreign Office and as a VAD nurse in England during WWII. After moving to the US, she lived and worked in Washington D.C. for several years before settling in the Midwest to raise three children. After her children were grown Joan obtained an Associate's Degree at Lake Michigan College and worked as an Administrative Assistant at Whirlpool Corporation. Joan loved gardening, sewing, knitting, reading and traveling. Their home was always filled with children. She was a long time member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in St. Joseph. She was a deacon, taught Sunday school, member of the Altar Guild, and served her church in many other capacities. She was also very dedicated to serving her community which included being a member of the Lincoln Township Library Board, PTA and Curriculum Development at Lakeshore Schools, and the Human Relations Council to further race relations between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers George and Martin Nelson and a sister Mary Dipple. Joan is survived by a daughter, Victoria Born (Greg Powell) of St. Joseph, two sons Dr. Frederick (Kathy) Born of Berrien Springs and Christopher Born (Napaporn Wongkumchai) of Phoenix, Arizona, six grandchildren; Peter and Rosemary Born-Powell, Frederick V., Alexander, Erik and Carina Born, and a sister Doreen Bicknell of Manchester, New Hampshire. A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with a tea to follow. A private family interment will be held at a later date at St. Paul's Memorial Garden. Memorial contributions may be made in Joan's memory to St. Paul's Episcopal Church 914 Lane Street, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.