In Memoriam

Joan Palmer-Stainback Class of 1947

NORFOLK - Joan Palmer Stainback, 81, passed away peacefully in her home at Harbor's Edge in Norfolk Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, while surrounded by her family. Born and raised in Portsmouth (Cradock), she later returned to the area and was a longtime resident of Virginia Beach. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Charles O. Stainback; and her sister, Sue Moury (husband retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Roger Moury) of Bradenton, Fla. Her two daughters, Ann Palmer James and Elizabeth Stuart Schuller (husband, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Ron Schuller), were at her bedside when she passed away. A loving grandmother, she is also survived by five granddaughters, U.S. Navy Lt. E. Ashleigh Schuller, JAG Corps (husband Dan Lee), Dr. Catherine Schuller (husband Dr. Ajith Cherian), Caroline Spagenthal (husband Pete), Emily Schuller, Natalie Thomas and great-grandson, Graham Spagenthal. She will always be remembered for her love of gardening, needlework and music, her passion for her pets, and her care for those less fortunate. She married her Cradock sweetheart, a World War II Naval aviator, and later accompanied him throughout the world during his distinguished CIA career. She was a proud member of the Mayflower Descendants, Colonial Dames, DAR, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, and numerous local gardening clubs. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Norfolk, by the Rev. Scott Hennessy. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to The Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter, 6315 N. Center Drive, Suite 233, Norfolk VA 23502, or the Norfolk SPCA, 916 Ballentine Blvd., Norfolk, VA. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made to hdoliver.com. Published in The Virginian Pilot on February 9, 2011