Joan Marie Duffy Poston passed away quietly in her sleep on November 30, 2022, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born June 10, 1941, in Anaconda, MT to Joseph and Helen (Huestis) Duffy. She attended St. Paul’s, Anaconda Central, and St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, KS.
Joan’s legacy is one of dedicated caretaking and creativity. She was a social worker for 36 years in both Kansas and Montana. Devoted to her family, she was the primary caregiver for elder relatives including her parents, aunt and cousin.
Joan’s creativity spanned the entire spectrum of the fiber arts. Her needlework, sewing, and beadwork were made with love and an incredible attention to detail. Her knitting, weaving, and basketry frequently garnered award recognition. She was a patient and supportive teacher, passing her skills on to her daughter and grandchildren.
Later in life, Joan rekindled her relationship with John Poston. Joan and John were married in late October of 1998 in Boulder, MT. His partner, his best friend, his soul mate: Joan was the love of John’s life. Together they built a life in Helena, MT with all their many cats and dogs. Joan adored cats and learned to love her dogs just as much.
Retirement offered Joan many opportunities to enjoy time with fellow fiber artists. At least twice a week Joan attended knitting groups. She really enjoyed time knitting with her friends. For several years, Joan knitted for service people overseas.
Known to John’s grandkids as “Granny Joan,” Joan always had a smile, a hug, and kind words of encouragement, acceptance and support for all of her grandchildren.
Joan will be remembered most for her incredibly generous spirit and love of her family. Her love and tenderness will be greatly missed.
Survivors include husband John P. Poston, Helena, MT; brother Jim (Karen) Duffy, Ohio; and sister Mary Huestis, New Zealand. Daughter Helen Duffy, Carnation, WA; step-daughters Kaye Poston, Helena MT; Sandy Poston, Missoula, MT; and step-son John Poston, Jr, Europe. Grandchildren Bo Bailey, Carnation, MT; Josie (Mark) Condra, Asia; Ellie (Jacob) Opdahl, Minneapolis, MN; Charles Bailey, Spokane, WA; Angus (Merissa) Bailey, San Antonio, TX. Step grandchildren Sandra Manners, Portland, OR; Sean Manners, Denver, CO; Katka Poston, Europe; and Max Poston, Europe. Joan had one great grandchild, Rainier Condra.
Joan’s family is especially grateful to all of the amazing caregivers at Mount Ascension Rehabilitation Center, Renaissance Senior Care Center and Enhabit Hospice in Helena, MT.
Family condolences or to share your memories of Joan, please post to www.aswfuneralhome.com. Joan loved her shelter fur babies and a donation to your nearest animal shelter in her memory is encouraged (Lewis & Clark Humane Society in Helen, MT; Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter | City and County of Butte-Silver Bow, MT; Pintler Pets Humane Society (pintlerpetsmt.org)).
A Celebration of Life will be held for Joan in late spring or early summer of 2023. Joan will be laid to rest in Anaconda among her many relations of the Pecher, Ward, O’Neill, Huestis, Duffy and related families.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Steve Armstrong says
I met Joan while teaching at Helena High, where I had the privilege of having both Sandy and John, Jr., in my AP U.S. History classes. Joan became a welcome supporter of HHS’s Close-Up program, where my late wife Linnea (also a teacher at HHS) and I took groups of students to Washington, D.C. for a week of learning about and observing government in action. Joan’s support offered opportunities for other HHS students to participate in this learning experience. We as teachers were eternally grateful for her advocacy.
Joan was also a staunch supporter of what we taught at Helena High. She was grateful for the broad range of issues that we introduced to Sandy and John. Even if the subject matter was controversial, Joan understood that the USA is a complex country and these complexities are critical to creating an informed and viable citizenry.
I only saw Joan a few times after we left Helena in 1993, mainly in the Bigfork area in the summers during the 1990s.
My sympathies to Sandy and John, and the entire Poston family.
Kathy says
John, I am so sorry for your loss. Joan was a wonderful lady and will be truly missed. My sympathies to you and Sandy, and the rest of your family.
Kathy
Duncan Law Office
Linda says
I’m so sorry to read of Joan’s passing. We shared an office when I first began working for the State. I think I made her crazy at times, but I certainly learned a lot from her. RIP dear Joan!