Joan Theresa Van Dorp Mccluskey

With heavy hearts, our family shares with you today that our loved Mom, "GG", Joan T. Brainard (Van Dorp) McCluskey, age 93, of Toledo, passed away June 14, 2023, Flag Day, at home under hospice care. To say she was a special lady is a understatement. Joan was born July 11,1929 in Maumee, OH to Joseph and Laura (Parker) Brainard. She has touched many lives through her kindness and her great cooking. These included family favorites of peach cobbler, crunchy Mac and Cheese, Swedish pancakes, and apple pie bar. If you ever had the chance to eat some, you always wanted more. Each dinner was a special time around her table, filled with love and laughter, and she always had room for more! She lived life to the fullest, teaching us not to sweat the small stuff and to take one day at a time. She live generously and full even when diagnosed with COPD and cancer, she felt Blessed. Mom, Grandma Joan, "GG" loved life, living each day one day at a time to its fullest, making the best of each situation.

Her hobby was her flower garden and yard. It was not uncommon to see her out on the drive with her little broom sweeping up leaves, planting or weeding, and of course, lining her neighborhood street with The American Flags for Memorial Day and July 4th. Joan and her first husband, Earl Van Dorp, made their home in West Toledo. After Earl's death, she raised her four children with selfless love. In 1986 after a blind date set up by her daughter Pam and her friend Jim, she married Ralph P McCluskey. To say our "lady" leaves a legacy, is an understatement. If she touched your life, then pass on a simple good deed or act of kindness.

In addition to her parents, Joan was also preceded in death by her husbands, Earl Van Dorp and Ralph P. McCluskey, daughter, Pamela Van Dorp, step grandson Ralph "Scooter" Jacquay, and her siblings, Rose, Don, Laura, Carol and Ronnie. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Debra) Van Dorp, Chris (Mark) Smith and Jennifer (Herschel) Bentley; stepdaughters Kathlen (Bruce) Martin, Judy (Mike) Hartranft; grandchildren, Joseph, Sharon (Sean), Elizabeth, Jacob, Elissa (Adam), Danielle (Jordan), Bradford (Megan), Samantha, Herschel "Nick" (Sheena) and Kathryn; step grandchildren McKellar (Jorge), Blake (Josh), Anna (Ryan), Chip. She also is survived by her 14 great-grandchildren, and her siblings, Joe Brainard, Thelma Hoffman and Ed (Jackie) Brainard.

The family will receive guests Tuesday, June 20, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer - SW Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419-381-1900) where a Rosary and Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will begin Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 104 West Broadway Street, Maumee, OH. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent Mercy Burn Unit in memory of Pam Van Dorp or Ohio Living Hospice in Joan's memory.

In closing, Joan was a true patriot and loved her country and flag. She always signed off with "God Bless You and God Bless America". Rest In Peace.

To leave a special message for Joan's family please visit the guestbook below.