Joan B Kostelnik's Obituary
Joan Nelson Blandin Kostelnik, age 79, of Lewes, DE passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2016. She was born on Thursday, September 10, 1936 in Malden, MA, daughter of the late, Carlton and Ida (Welander) Nelson.
Mrs. Kostelnik attended Malden schools and graduated in 1958 from the University of MA (Amherst) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Education. The same year she married her classmate, Dr. Warren W. Blandin, who passed away in 1982.
Joan taught elementary education at the Fort Knox Dependent Schools and in Ann Arbor Michigan. She was coordinator of Child Welfare Services at the Beaufort County (SC) Department of Social Welfare. She returned to MA in 1965. She and her husband were advocates for educational and residential services for the multiple handicapped deaf-blind, as a result of the 1960's Rubella epidemic which has affected their daughter, Kristen. Joan also organized and taught at a pre-school at the Westborough, MA YWCA. Following a move to Columbia, MD Joan was employed as a substitute teacher and later as clinical supervisor for Women's Services at the Howard County, MD Department of Mental Health and Addictions.
Joan retired in 1991 and moved to the Delaware shore. She remarried in 1992. She and her husband enjoyed several years of traveling and motorhome adventures. During recent years they split time between Lewes and Hutchinson Island, FL and the Berkshires. She was proud of her Swedish Heritage and made several trips to Scandinavia. Joan was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival and the Sussex County chapter of NARFE.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased in death by her brother, David Nelson. She is survived by her loving husband of 24 years, Bernard M. Kostelnik; her three children: Pam Henley (Bob) of Cooksville, MD, Kristen Blandin of Chelsea, MA and Jonathan Blandin (April) of Franklin, TN; and her five grandchildren: Griffin, Devin, Gavin, Olivia and Aaron.
A graveside ceremony and reception will be held in Dover, MA at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions in Joan's name may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 310, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or to the Epworth United Methodist Church Building Fund, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach DE, 19971.
Please sign Mrs. Kostelnik's online guest book located on this site.
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