Joan Elizabeth Rusek, a cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026, in Suwanee, Georgia. Born Joan Elizabeth Brown on April 21, 1938, in New Haven, Connecticut, she lived a life marked by dedication, creativity, and love that touched all who knew her.

After completing her education at the Katharine Gibbs School, Joan embarked on a remarkable journey blending skill and passion. Early in her career, she worked at Winchester Firearms, where her talent extended beyond her professional duties to competing proudly on the skeet shooting team. Her adventurous spirit accompanied her to Ft. Lee, Virginia, during her husband Joseph’s service in the Army. Following this, Joan and Joseph settled in Durham, Connecticut, where they built not just a home but a thriving livelihood by establishing the Village Bake Shoppe. For 30 years, the bakery stood as a beloved fixture in the community, a testament to their partnership and hard work.

Joan’s move to Cumming, Georgia, in 2004 marked a new chapter filled with community engagement and leadership. As president of the Bethelview Downs Homeowners Association, she showed the same commitment and warmth that defined every role she embraced. Later, in 2022, she made Celebration Village in Suwanee her home, where her spirit continued to inspire many through her active participation on numerous committees.

Family was the heart of Joan's life. She married Joseph Rusek on April 22, 1961, sharing 61 years of marriage filled with love and companionship until his passing in 2022. Joan was a devoted mother to her children, Joy (Kyle) Tucci, Joel (Rose) Rusek, and Janis (David) Goodrich, who carry forward her legacy of strength and kindness. Her grandchildren—Quinn (Brianna) Tucci, Paige Tucci, Benjamin Goodrich, and Annabelle Goodrich—were a constant source of joy and pride. She cherished teaching them her many skills over the years. Her family will always remember her creativity in crafting beautiful quilts, knitting sweaters, or especially, baking the most delicious Christmas cookies.

Joan’s talents extended into technology as well; she was an expert and lovingly known as the “resident IT” person among her wide circle of friends, always ready to lend a helping hand. Her thoughtful, generous nature was influenced by the family who preceded her: her loving husband, Jospeh Rusek, her parents, Frederick F. Brown and Hilda Brown (Peterson), and her brother Fred Brown.

Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of many, yet her spirit remains alive in the memories and lives she touched so deeply. Joan Elizabeth Rusek’s legacy is one of love, resilience, and unwavering generosity.

Joan’s beloved family includes her surviving children and grandchildren, as well as many other loving relatives and friends who will forever remember her warmth and kindness. Though she has left this world, her gifts of creativity, love, and strength continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those who knew her.

A celebration of her life will be held to honor the woman who gave so much to her family, friends, and community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan’s name to the following charities:

The Live Like Chris Foundation https://livelikechris.org/ in honor of Chris Tucci who left us too soon. The Foundation spreads Chris’ passion, kindness, and zest for life by providing grants, scholarships, and resources to lifelong learners of pursuing their passions.

St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, www.stjude.org/donate.