Joanne Marie Rogan, age 77, of The Villages, FL, died on Sunday, April 23, 2017. She was the daughter of Fran and Rita Gavin of Dubuque, Iowa. Joanne was a wife of 44 years, a lifelong companion and a true army wife. She attended the Visitation Academy and Clarke University in Dubuque Iowa, and taught in Ashton, Illinois and the Department of Defense Overseas Education Program. While teaching in Okinawa she met and married H. James Rogan, who was in the military. She was president of the Fort Bragg Officers’ Wives Club and the Walnut Valley Women’s Club in California. Joanne was responsible for the development and operations of a recycling program for community preparedness in the event of earthquakes.
Joanne and Jim eventually retired to the Villages in Florida where she volunteered for many years with the Villages entertainment and special events. She also volunteered for the Recreation Department as well as worked for the Villages Polo Club for twelve years in charge of guest relations. She was a volunteer at the Villages Regional Hospital for fourteen years.
She is survived by her husband, Jim Rogan, of the Villages, a sister, Judy (Tom) Reilly, and a brother, Paul (Linda) Gavin, both of Dubuque, Iowa.
A celebration of life will be held at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.