Joan Searls Irwin was born June 22, 1923, in Algona, Iowa and died October 8, 2014, in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, and by her brother, Dick Searls. She is survived by her five children � Kathy Jacobs, Lee Irwin and wife Ann, Margaret Fender and husband Jim, Tom Irwin and wife Mary, and Rob Irwin. She had 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Joan was a child of the Depression and grew up in the Midwest, primarily in Iowa. The daughter of a railroad depot agent and full time mother, she was the first of her family to earn a college degree, graduating from Cornell College and earning a Phi Beta Kappa key. She met Keith in college. They married on February 22, 1945, and remained together for 64 years. The date marked her parents� 25th anniversary and her father�s birthday. Through the years of their marriage they moved several times, eventually leaving the Midwest, arriving in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1961 after a detour to New Jersey. Keith took a faculty position at Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd), soon after its founding. Once her children were all in school, she obtained her teaching certification and taught English at Lealman Junior High and Southside Fundamental School. In later years she cherished the opportunity to travel to Europe on numerous occasions. She enjoyed attending plays and symphony concerts, walking, reading, book clubs, doing crossword puzzles, and her many long time friendships. Her children and friends value the lessons she modeled and taught throughout her life � commitment to family, love of learning, modesty, integrity, and caring about the well-being of others. She was loved and adored by her grandchildren. She was unfailingly kind and will be sorely missed. Per her wishes, her life will be honored by her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Suncoast Hospice, the Salvation Army, and the Smile Train.