Joan Henrietta Facey

Joan Henrietta Facey, 84, was born in Summit, New Jersey on May 23, 1934 and passed away February 21, 2019. Joan was the daughter of Christina C. Marshall Facey and Daniel T. Facey, sister to Red Facey and Aubyn Cardenas. She grew up on Hillcrest Road in Plainfield, New Jersey before attending Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Joan was one of the first female engineering graduates of that excellent institution and remained proud of that achievement throughout her life. Her professional life began in aerospace engineering in San Diego, California, later moving to United Parcel Service (U.P.S.) back on the east coast. At U.P.S. she enjoyed a senior executive position for many years prior to her retirement.

Throughout her life, Joan exhibited a keen interest in art. Eventually she became the custodian of the collected works of her long time family friend, artist Gershon Benjamin. Joan formed the Gershon Benjamin Foundation, supporting artist and guilds throughout the country and guided the sale of Gershon’s work for decades with great success.

Joan loved to fly and piloted her own plane out of Peachtree DeKalb airport in Atlanta, well in to her late sixties. This is perhaps why she felt so at home in the Heavens Landing Community even though she was no longer flying.

Joan was an avid reader, her favorite book being The Bible. Although baptized into the Episcopal church, Joan converted to Catholicism shortly after moving to Clayton. She enjoyed being an active member of St. Helena Church and found joy and comfort in her spiritual friendships.

Joan’s life was blessed with many special friends, too many to name, who opened their hearts and lives to her, making her part of their families. That meant the world to her. Joan was tenderly cared for by her long time family friend, Tracy Glenn of Bend, Orgeon and her devoted caregivers, Joyce Winn of Tiger and Candace DiGiorgio of Persimmon, aided by the unwavering support and love of others close to, and devoted to her well being. Joan was a generous, loving and considerate friend to many and she will be missed greatly by Clayton and the other communities she has served throughout her life.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers.

 A service in celebration of Joan’s life will be held on Friday April 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at the St. Helena Catholic Church 137 Meadow Stream Lane Clayton, Georgia 30525. Services will be officiated by Father Pedro Poloche. A lunch reception will be held at the church immediately following. Interment will take place at Joan’s family gravesite at the Hillside Cemetery Plainfield, New Jersey during the second week of July, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Community Pantry 46 Plaza Way Clayton, Georgia 30525.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

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