Joan C. McDermott

October 31, 1931 - February 20, 2020

Joan Catherine McDermott died peacefully at Sunrise Assisted Living in Frederick, MD surrounded by her children on February 20, 2020. She was born in Union City, NJ on October 31, 1931 to the late Catherine and Gilbert Kunz. She grew up in Palisades Park, NJ and after graduating from Mount Saint Vincent College in New York City she relocated to Baltimore with her parents where she married Francis J. McDermott, who predeceased her in 2016. They were married 59 years and resided in Valley Wood for over 40 years and Mercy Ridge Retirement community, before moving to Frederick due to declining health in 2015. Joan obtained a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University and taught at Towson State University for many years. She was an active parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Texas, MD and was involved in many Catholic organizations throughout Baltimore. She cherished her summers spent at her beach house in Harvey Cedars, NJ where she spent time with her family and attended mass at Maris Stella. She is survived by her children Maureen (John) Gregory of New Oxford, PA, Michael (Wendy) McDermott of Sandy Spring, MD, Mary Kay (Edward) McGowan of Durham, NC, and Teresa (Steven) of Ijamsville, MD. She is survived by six grandchildren, Mary Beth (Joseph) Kuti, Bridget (Ryan) Rudiger, Kristen (Chris) Reid, Tara and Meghan Blair, Aiden McGowan, and Taylour Blackwell and Katherine Guardado,and three great grandchildren, Veronica, Joseph, and Anna Kuti. She is also survived by many cousins and childhood friend Grace Della Bella who was like a sister to her. The family would like to thank caregiver Coleen Daniels for her years of loving service. Family will receive visitors at 10 am on Saturday February 29, 2020 at the Carmelite Monastery located at 1318 Dulaney Valley Road Towson MD 21286 with a mass at 11 am. Entombment will follow at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Carroll Hospice, Inc., 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157 or at carrollhospice.org.