Obituary of Joan Mall

Joan Mall died unexpectedly on June 16, 2023. She enjoyed good health her whole life and she was able to make a swift exit with very little pain or suffering. Joan is predeceased by her husband Gerald. They enjoyed 59 years of married life together. She leaves behind three successful children, Deborah, Kimberly and Scott, who credit their success to their upbringing and the examples their parents set.

Joan was a consummate mother. Her family always had clean clothes, packed lunches and a delicious dinner on the table at 6:00. She also managed the family’s many moves while her husband Gerry rose through the ranks at Continental Can. The family lived in Buffalo, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Van Wert, Ohio; and Charlotte, North Carolina.Many fond memories were made at the family’s home on Raintree Lane in Charlotte, where they lived for 22 years and called "home".

When the kids became a little older, Joan, became a real estate agent. She was a successful investor in real estate and other commodities, through out her life. However, her life took a different turn when she and Gerry opened the first Sport Port in Matthews, North Carolina. The Sport Port grew to be a successful chain of sporting goods stores that focused on youth sports in the Charlotte area. The store in the UNCC area of Charlotte focused on university apparel and fraternity and sorority items.

After selling off the last of their Sport Port stores, Gerry and Joan retired and moved to Hobe Sound, Florida where they lived for 5 years before building their dream home on Callawassie Island. Joan spent her retirement years enjoying time with her grown children and grandchildren. Known for her exceptional style and creativity, Joan was also a great cook, specializing in dishes from her native Buffalo, New York and dishes from her Polish ancestry. She loved to read, socialize and garden and belonged to the Callawassie book club and garden club.

Joan is survived by her loving children Deborah, Kimberly, and Scott, Scott’s wife Julie, and her grandchildren Joshua and Erin for whom “Meme” was always a larger-than-life figure.

In lieu of gifts and flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.