Freeport – Joan Sanford was born Joan Eloise Tucker on October 20, 1947 to Francis and Emma Tucker in Chicago, Illinois.

She attended Lincoln Elementary School in Freeport, Illinois and graduated from Freeport High School in 1965.  She spent much of her youth involved with the Girl Scouts.  With the scouts she traveled extensively, both throughout the United States and abroad.

Joan attended Lake Forest College and received her BA in elementary education from Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois in 1971.  She taught at Lincoln-Douglas elementary school for two years.  She earned an MA in Outdoor Education from Northern Illinois University.

Before her first child she spent most Saturdays in Chicago helping Hmong refugees assimilate into the US culture.  At the same time she took graduate courses at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

She was thrilled to be a mother to three children; Amber, Joel and Jed.  (She wished she had more).  Joan considered motherhood a privilege and a calling.  She fulfilled her calling admirably.  She made life an adventure.  She brought joy and fun to the world.

Music was an important part of Joan's life.  She played her guitar and sang with the Girl Scouts.  She sang alto in the choirs of churches she attended.  She sang many years with the Freeport Choral Society.  She played and sang often with her family at the Willow Folk Festival, Gospel Music Gathering, churches, nursing homes, radio etc.

She played clarinet with the Freeport Concert Band for 30 years. She was also on stage at the Mighty Richland Playhouse in Orangeville, Illinois for a number of years.  Joan was a long-time member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, chapter BE.

Since 2005 Joan has been a faithful member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Freeport.  She made friends easily and always remembered names.  She delighted in the wonder of God's creation.  She had the Tucker sense of humor.  She was a shining light.

On March 6, 2023, Joan Sanford went home to be with her Lord. She is survived by her husband Carl, her daughter Amber (Luke), her son, Jed, her son, Joel (Emily), her grandchildren James and Juliet. Her sister, Elizabeth Guntermann, twin sister, Jean Tucker Lawton, brother, Robert and brother, John (Ellie) Tucker.

There will be a service of remembrance on Saturday, March 25 ^th with a time for musical meditation at 3:00pm and a memorial service will follow at 4:00pm at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Freeport at 1320 S. Blackhawk Ave Freeport, Illinois.

A memorial has been established in her name at the Lifeline Coalition.  Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com .

"Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones."

Proverbs 31

"A wife of noble character who can find?  She is clothed with strength and dignity.  She can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  Her children arise and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.  A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Honor her for all that her hands have done.  And let her works bring praise at the city gate. "