Joan "Joanie" Prentice Durgin

Joan “Joanie” Prentice Durgin, age 80, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, December 24, 2022, in Scarborough, ME, after a long battle with dementia. Joan, always loving, kind, and compassionate, was born on December 7, 1942, in New Orleans, LA to Betty and Robert Lipton. She was a lifelong Toledo civil servant and family planning educator and was adored by all who knew her. Her family and friends cherished her warm heart, long hugs, laugh, infectious smile and her love of baking, flowers, gardening, family gatherings and holidays. She taught her family the importance of being positive, philanthropic, hardworking, and appreciative. Joan was raised in Shaker Heights, OH. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL and with a Master of Education degree from The University of Toledo. In 1972, Joan began her over 30 year career in the Toledo Public School System. She worked as a family life specialist, where she developed and implemented human growth and development programs. As the Toledo Public School’s Coordinator of Health Services, she was instrumental in the development of comprehensive school clinics in central-city elementary schools. She also expanded the school nursing program. When Joan was working as Director of Health services for TPS in the early 1990s, two sixth-grade girls became pregnant. Joan felt it important to find an alternative option for all pregnant or parenting teenage girls in the Toledo area. Thereafter, Polly Fox Academy, named after Joan’s mentor, was born. For sixteen years, Joan served as the Founder and Development Director. Polly Fox Academy’s mission was to assist young women to find a path to the future that included graduation, post-secondary education, parenting, and employability skills. Through her passion, love, and dedication, Joan tirelessly advocated for advancing the lives of young parenting and pregnant teens. People who knew Joan described her as an innovative leader, tireless, and a pioneer on behalf of young women. In 2009, in recognition of her outstanding contributions in education, Joan was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame. She was also a recipient of the Milestone Award through the Toledo YWCA. In 2013, she received the Toledo Area Jefferson Award for her decades of commitment to community service with organizations such as the Toledo Area AIDS Task Force, Coalition for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, Toledo Day Nursery, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Ohio State School-Based Health Centers, Phoenix Academy, Polly Fox Academy, the United Way Women's Initiative, and Toledo Children's Hospital. Joan also served on the boards of the Junior League of Toledo, the Toledo Museum of Art Membership Drive, committees for Promedica Hospital, and St Michael’s Episcopal Church. Joan is survived by her husband, Rod Durgin of 39 years, her children, daughters Courtney (Jason) Kuhn, Lindsey (Sean) Hickey, Meredith Durgin, Leslie Durgin (Erik) Szymczak, and son Peter (Beth) Handwork. She is also survived by 8 beautiful grandchildren: Alexandra, Graham, Caden, Phoebe, Whitney, Will, Fionn, and Eva. She was predeceased by her brother Robert “Chip” Lipton. Over the years, Joan enjoyed family vacations skiing “out west” and summer vacations in Maine. The family wishes to give heartfelt thanks to all of Joan’s caregivers and especially to Sarah Shew, a dear lifelong family friend who provided incredible loving care, navigation, and emotional support to Joan and the entire family. They also wish to thank Piper Shores in Scarborough, ME for providing Joan with excellent care and kindness during the remaining months of her life. The family is grateful for the love, devotion and compassion Rod provided to Joan throughout her illness. A memorial service and celebration of Joan’s life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at St. Michael's in the Hills Episcopal Church and will be followed by a reception at 11:30am at The Inverness Club. Joan loved spring and spring flowers, if you are attending, please wear festive colors in honor of her. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joan’s name to Planned Parenthood, the Alzheimer’s Association, or St. Michael’s in the Hills. Arrangements have been made by the Ansberg-West Funeral Directors, 419-472-7633. To send her family online condolences, please visit www.ansberg-west.com. “ "don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened”

Joan "Joanie" Prentice Durgin

December 7, 1942 - December 24, 2022