Joan Rose Laurel van Barneveld Kaplanis, born December 27, 1934, in Whittier, passed away on December 31, 2020, after a stoic battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Joan is survived by daughters Kristen (Rick), Melina (Ted), and Cami, and grandchildren, Victoria, Anastasia, Riley, and Alexis. She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Peter, and her parents John H. and Dorothy Fulton van Barneveld and siblings, Mary Alice, Howard, and twin John.
Joan has been a resident of Southern California since birth, attending Fullerton High School, and then graduating from USC in 1956 with a degree in education. She pledged Alpha Chi Omega sorority and remained lifelong friends with many sisters. Remaining active in USC alumni groups, she joined Trojan Guild, Trojan Travelers, and USC Town and Gown. Joan met her husband, Peter, on a blind date and they married in 1959 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. After a quick honeymoon up the coast and to San Francisco, they settled in Los Angeles while Peter attended USC Law School and Joan taught 1st grade in Downey Unified for seven years until they had children.
Joan and Peter lived in Pasadena and San Marino for over 60 years, ending in their lovely condo on Orange Grove. They raised their three daughters and participated in local community groups. As Joan enjoyed volunteering, she was active in Camp Fire Girls with Melina and Cami, Arts Docent Council, San Marino High School Grad Night lighting committee, Pasadena Showcase House of Design, National Charity League, St. Anthony’s Philoptochos and the Festival Committee, and her favorite, as a docent at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino. Joan loved and supported the visual and performing arts.
Joan’s interests included traveling the world, visiting many countries, researching genealogy, and sharing early California history through a fashion show with her collection of antique clothing. She volunteered in Cami’s classrooms, bringing flowers to support the art lessons. Joan and Peter loved the socializing at San Gabriel Country Club, Valley Hunt Club, and Women’s Club in Pasadena. Joan believed in angels and she is now at peace among them.
Alzheimer’s disease is a difficult, progressive one because it slowly robs you of balance and mobility, your cognition, and awareness, and finally language. While she recognized us until the end, she had lost the ability to have conversations and move. We miss her smile, her kindness and her love.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to one of the following:
Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino
https://www.huntington.org/donate
Alzheimer’s Association for research
www.act.alz.org
St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena
https://saint-anthonys.churchgiving.org
