Joan Marie Homrighausen

Joan Marie (Kane) Homrighausen died on Saturday, July 19 at St. Vincent Carmel Hospital. Joan was born in New York City on November 1. 1929 to John and Elizabeth (McGowan) Kane. She was preceded in death by her parents and her 4 siblings: Florence, Margaret, Rose Mildred and John. Joan spent her childhood in NYC. As the youngest child with four older siblings, throughout her childhood she enjoyed family summers at the Rockaway Beach bungalow. Joan attended NY PS 40, Holy Cross Academy, and Hunter College . The family later moved to Rego Park, Long Island and she commuted for several years to her job in the office of the Mayor of NYC. In 1948, Joan met William ("Bill") Homrighausen at Mike McTeague's bar. This Rego Park gathering spot was a favorite of her dad who had already spotted the blonde Midwestern Marine Corps veteran, new to the East Coast. Soon Bill was a regular for dinner at the Kane household – and then they were married on May 12, 1951 at the Church of the Resurrection-Ascension. Throughout their early married life, Bill's job with Shell Oil took them to Canada, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. Joan enjoyed caring for their growing family full-time and in each new city created a warm, loving home, made friends quickly, and soon was welcoming other newcomers. Joan and Bill finally settled in Carmel, Indiana, in 1966 and both loved it there. Joan always told the story that on her first solo drive through Carmel, she was ticketed for driving 32 mph in the 30 mph zone on Main Street! They raised their four children there and celebrated their weddings and arrival of grandchildren. Joan returned to the work force in the early 1970's as an assistant to photographer Bill Ehrich. Later she joined the Carmel High School administrative staff where she served for over 10 years as executive secretary to principal Dale Graham. They became fast friends with Ann and Bob Hartman and family, and enjoyed years of traveling, cruises, bridge games, Carmel High sports, and State Fair Band Day. That precious friendship endures to this day across the generations. Joan was a loving – and fun loving – mother who enjoyed travel, gardening, and games of all sorts. She was a master at Scrabble, Password, Bridge, crossword puzzles and Jeopardy. As a devoted mother and grandmother, she was never too busy to spend time with her children and grandchildren and with Bill looked forward each year to hosting the annual family reunion at Patoka Lake. Joan is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill Homrighausen, Sr. as well as her four children: Jean (Tony) Zander of Indianapolis; Bill (Barb) Homrighausen, Jr. of Plano, TX; Mary (Jim) Melchior of Louisville, KY; and Christine (Ron) Smith of Louisville, KY. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Eileen Zander (and fiancé David Surprenant), Will and Kevin Zander; Ross and Jim Homrighausen; Erin (John) Melchior Zielke, Maureen (Jason) Melchior Volz, Tom Melchior and Sam Melchior; Jackson, Evan, and Andrew Smith. The family would like to thank all of those who have been so supportive in the care of our wife, mother, and grandmother during her illnesses over the last several years. We thank especially her many physicians over the years, as well as the staffs of Comfort Keepers, St. Vincent Carmel Hospital and ManorCare at Summer Trace. Without exception, they cared for her with excellence and compassion and we will be forever grateful. A mass will be held for Joan on Wednesday July 23, 2014 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 14598 Oakridge Road, Carmel- with calling from 9-10am, there will also be calling on Tuesday from 4:00-8:00pm at the Flanner and Buchanan- Carmel. Donations in Joan's memory made be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church,14598 Oakridge Road, Carmel, IN 46032 or St. Augustine's Home for the Aged, 2345 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260