Obituary of Joan Margaret Atcheson

Joan Margaret Atcheson, born in 1931, in Staten Island NY, passed peacefully into the arms of
our Lord, in the early morning of March 2nd, 2021.
Joan was pre-deceased by her husband, Reverend Donald F. Atcheson, Sr., who raised
together their surviving children; John D. Atcheson, Charles D. Atcheson (Agnes), Francesca
Olivares, Laura Hallowell (Mark), William T. Atcheson (Yaritza) and Donald F. Atcheson, Jr.
Joan was a remarkable, God fearing, humble, yet strong woman and lived as an example
for Christ. Joan lived her life to the fullest, raising six children, and was Mommom to her 12
grandchildren, survived by Jason Atcheson (Monica), Zachary Atcheson, Shannon Atcheson,
Patrick Atcheson, pre deceased by Jerry Sonnanburg, survived by Justin Sonnanburg, Todd
Hallowell (Brittney), Shane Hallowell (Holly), Mark Hallowell, Jr. (Karis) Jessica Hallowell,
Alexander Olivares (Allie) and Genna Ryan. Joan had 26 great grandchildren and 2 great great
grandchildren. Joan also was a Pastors wife, which was no easy task, but she made it look
easy, and did it with grace.
Joan and Don met at Christian Endeavor, in Staten Island, NY. Her outgoing personality
made her a wonderful support for Don, first as a Moravian Pastors wife, in PA, NY, NJ, then
back to PA. After moving the family back to NY for a year, while Don went to Lutheran
Seminary, they then landed in Philadelphia PA, where she, as a Pastors wife, helped with the
ladies groups and sang beautifully as a first soprano in the choir. When Don passed she moved
to Portland, Texas, where she lived at Carriage Inn, running the Garden Club, the Community
meetings, playing bingo and became an elder in the Presbyterian Church, maintaining a dual
membership as well in a non-denominational church. In 2019 she moved back East to
Summerville, SC to be nearer to her family.
Joan also, during all these moves in the early years, started working for Marconi’s
International Register, out of NYC, as an Editor, commuting back and forth each week from
Philadelphia to Staten Island, NY. After a few years, she decided to work only in Philadelphia,
as Director of Admissions for Evangelical Manor, and finally retired doing the same at Pilgrim
Gardens, also in Philadelphia.
The family would like to thank Raven Thurston, of Visiting Angels, who helped take great care
of her for the the past year, along with Agape Care Hospice and SC House Calls.
We rejoice now, as we know Joan has been reunited with Don, family and friends who
passed before her.
There will be a memorial service in Philadelphia, PA in late June/early July. Arrangements to
be announced. In lieu of flowers please make donations to one of her favorite charities:
St. Judes Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?
sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now
LowCountry Food Bank https://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/donate/
The Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?
df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&_ga=2.53675880.1181205975.1614978442-741984110.1
614978442