Joan Green

CHAMPION, OH - Joan Howell Green, 92, died on Saturday, April 20, 2013, after living a long and cherished life.

She was born in Ebbw Vale, Wales on October 28, 1920, the daughter of Ella Lillian (Owen) and William Howell. She arrived with her mother in America as an infant shortly after her father had immigrated thru Ellis Island to work in the Mahoning Valley steel industry.

Mrs. Green was a June, 1939 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and attended the Dana School of Music at Youngstown University, focusing on piano and later, organ performance. She studied piano in Cleveland and had a debut performance with the Cleveland Orchestra.

She married William Leroy Green on August 31, 1951, and enjoyed 57 years of a loving relationship with him until he passed on June 13, 2008. Up to the time of her death, she was still residing at the Champion homestead that they built together in the early 1950's.

She was a loving wife, a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was an accomplished pianist and organist and, while raising a family of six children, she served many years as the church organist at various churches around the area, including Howland Community Church and Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

She taught piano and was a regular accompanist for Champion High School's musicians for Solo and Ensemble competitions.

She enjoyed writing and had been a regular contributor to local weekly newspapers. She also enjoyed entering slogan contests which resulted in winning such prizes as a new car, an in-ground swimming pool, and several major appliances.

Surviving are her six children; Meredith Ethel McKenzie of Altadena, California; James (Linda) Green of Howland; Robert Green of Champion; Nancy Green of Boone, North Carolina; Barbara (William) Hummel of Champion; Ruth (David) Green-Waite of Charlotte, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Christina (Jake) Gwin of Camarillo, California; Jenna Green, of Orlando, Florida; Alex and Eric Hummel of Champion, and one great-granddaughter, MacKenzie Gwin of Camarillo, California.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 1:00 pm at the Howland Community Church with Rev. Brian Byrne officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Champion Band Boosters, 5976 Mahoning Ave NW, Warren, OH, 44483 or to the Champion Fire Department, 139 W. Champion St., Warren, OH, 44483.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, OH, 44481. Please visit our website www.McFarlandCares.com to view this obituary, send condolences or to send flowers.

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