Joan Woodruff Hallam Furst

Joan Woodruff Hallam Furst

Joan Woodruff Hallam Furst, 89, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at St. Lucie Hospice House in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Joan was born at her maternal grandparents’ home in Patterson, New Jersey on July 17, 1924. She was the daughter of John Cecil and Alice Margarete Van Etten Bainbridge Hallam. Joan attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and left college to support the US World War II efforts by enlisting in the United States Nurse Cadet Corps. She received her nurses training at University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in August of 1946.

In March of 1947, Joan married the love of her life, William Charles "Bill" Furst. She worked as a nurse at many hospitals and doctor’s offices as she moved across the county following Bill's career with Shell Oil, and she kept her nursing license active until 2003. She was a dedicated "Shell wife" moving with her husband many times, making every new city a home for family, and becoming active as a volunteer in each community. In the 1972, Joan began volunteering at Memorial City Hospital in Houston, Texas. After receiving recognition for 1000 volunteer service hours, Joan convinced the hospital administrators to start a nurse refresher program where retired nurses could update their nursing skills and work as nurses in the hospital. She proudly graduated from the first Memorial City Nurse Refresher program and began working as an orthopedic nurse. After Bill retired in 1986, Joan and Bill moved to Fort Pierce, Florida, where they lived until Bill’s passing on December 4, 2013.

Joan was a devoted member of the Methodist Church and United Methodist Women her entire life. At First United Methodist Church of Fort Pierce, she was a member of the Christian Fellowship Class and a stellar fundraiser, where she sold tickets to every church auction and fundraising event. Later Joan was a member of First United Methodist Church in Vero Beach. Joan was a dedicated school volunteer for many years, serving as room mother, PTO president, Memorial Markette Booster Club President, and a volunteer school nurse. She was a loyal member and past president of P.E.O., a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women. Joan was also an avid bridge player, President of the Pelican Yacht Club Women's Auxiliary, and a member of the Poinciana Garden Club in Fort Pierce.

Joan was known for her big friendly smile and enthusiastic zest for life. She loved gardening, grew beautiful roses, and created gorgeous needlepoint pillows, plaques, and Christmas stockings. Joan enjoyed being outdoors, boating, swimming, and cheering for Penn State football. She valued dogs, especially her scotties. Nothing was more important to Joan than spending time with her family. Her death is a love story. She met her husband, Bill in the 7th grade, had 66 wonderful years of marriage and after Bill died 6 weeks ago, Joan only wanted to join Bill in Heaven. It is comforting to know they are together again for eternity.

Joan is survived by her son William C. “Bill” Furst, Jr. (Darla) and daughter, Carol Furst Matulonis (Gordon) and four grandchildren - Jessica Furst Johnson (Todd), Emily Furst Savoca (Chris), Austin Matulonis Hensel, and Sara Elinor Matulonis and her brother John (Barbara) Hallam of Vero Beach, FL. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, William C. "Bill" Furst and her parents.


Donations in Joan's memory may be made to Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, located at 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, Florida 32725 or Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 Dunn Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34981.

Joan will be buried with her husband at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL