JOAN (MORRIS) BALAUN - WESTFORD - A star is born: Joan
(Morris) Balaun passed peacefully in her sleep with her husband
by her side, at their home in Westford, on the winter solstice,
Dec. 21, 2014. Joan was born on Sept. 12, 1929, to Clayton
and Dorothea (Stillwell) Morris in St. Johnsbury. She graduated
from the St. Johnsbury Academy in 1947, and went on to star
and direct in many theater productions for the St. Johnsbury
Players, where she met her "Dear Joe." Joan's down-to-earth
qualities and talents only added to her natural beauty, and not
a soul who had the chance to know her was left untouched by
her generosity, her gift of laughter, and her genuine love for all
people. Aside from the theater, Joan loved to dance - the
ballroom her second home, swing her favorite music, and the
jitterbug her forte. Many remember Joan when she worked for
the Music Shop and the Farmer's Daughter in St. Johnsbury, as
well as the Candlemould Shop in Essex Junction. Owners prized
Joan's work ethic and indefatigable devotion, and trusted her
implicitly to manage their establishments. Customers stayed
loyal to Joan when she opened her own shop, Plum Pudding,
and many delighted in her impromptu teas and tours of her
gardens filled with herbs and flowers. Joan's artistry and love of
arts and crafts revealed an exquisitely elegant, giving, and
talented woman who wore her heart on her sleeve and who was
able to impart a unique, aesthetic style that appealed to so
many. Joan liked to say that we are born from the stuff of
stars, and that stardust is where we return. We have only to
look up to the heavens to know that a star is born, and that
Joan has once again found her rightful place among the stars.
For close to 50 years, Joan and Joe shared their love in
marriage. We are eternally blessed to have been given the
opportunity to share our love with Joan, our very own Queen of
the Stardust Ballroom. Joan is survived by her husband, Joe
Balaun; and children, Craig Arthur Balaun and his partner,
Greg, of Reno, Nev., Grace Andrea Shumski and her partner,
John Coon, of Jericho, Dwight Alan Balaun and his wife, Ronda,
of Burlington, and Gary Joseph Balaun of South Burlington.
Joanie leaves her brother, Robert Morris of St. Johnsbury;
sister, Jean Morris of Charleston, Vt.; granddaughter, Lena
Shumski of Essex; sisters-in-law, Margaret Balaun Stearns of
Newfane, and Roseanne Balaun of Salina, Kan.; and brothers-
in-law, John Balaun of Evergreen, Colo., Ralph Balaun of
Marysville, Kan., and Paul Balaun of Neosho, Mo. Joan was
predeceased by her son Gary's identical twin, Jay Joseph
Balaun; brother-in-law, Bill Balaun of Salina, Kan.; and brother,
Raymond Morris. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015,
from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home,
9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction, followed with a special funeral
service at First Congregational Church, 39 Main St., Essex
Junction, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in
the spring at Fairview Cemetery in Essex Junction, with a
celebration of Joan's life at her gardens in Westford. In lieu of
flowers, please consider a donation to the Visiting Nurse
Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, 1110 Prim
Road, Colchester, VT 05446.
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