Joan Louise Reese Dueser

LOGAN, UT. Joan Louise Reese Dueser passed away
peacefully on March 23, 2007, following a courageous
12--year battle with cancer. Joan’s courage, dignity
and humor during her illness were truly an
inspiration. Her faith and spirit were powerful to the
end.

Joan was born in Johnstown, PA on September 4, 1939,
the daughter of Edward W. and Louise K. Reese. She
grew up in northern Virginia, and graduated from
Immaculata Seminary in Washington, D.C. She received a
B.S. degree in biology from Dunbarton College of the
Holy Cross in Washington, D.C., and then earned
certification as a medical technologist at Polyclinic
Hospital in Harrisburg, PA.

She taught for several years in the medical technology
program at Cumberland Valley Vocational School, where
she inspired countless students to enter the health
professions. Her work with students led Joan to
complete a M.E. degree in secondary school counseling
at Shippensburg University.

After teaching for a year in the health sciences
program at the University of Maryland, Joan began a
rewarding career in laboratory and medical sales with
Fisher Scientific Company. She settled in
Charlottesville, VA, where she served an extensive
central Virginia sales district. Joan’s outgoing
personality and ability to troubleshoot technical
challenges in the medical laboratory won her many
dedicated friends and customers.

Joan married Raymond D. Dueser in Charlottesville on
August 4, 1984. They subsequently relocated to Logan,
UT, where they adopted two young daughters, Andrea and
Joanne.

Joan was preceded in death by her father Ed of Camp
Hill, PA. She is survived by husband Ray, daughter
Andrea Dueser Thompson and family of Montrose, Co,
daughter Joanne of Logan, mother Louise and brother
Robert E. Reese of Camp Hill, and brother William J.
Reese and family of Painter, VA. Granddaughter
Katelynn Elizabeth Thompson was special to her Ga’ma
Dueser.

Joan’s passions were many, but quilting held a special
place in her life. She especially enjoyed teaching
young quilters about the joy of intricate designs and
tight stitches. Joan was a children’s advocate in the
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program of the
First District Court of Utah, a volunteer with the
Eastern Shore of Virginia Literacy Council, and a
founding volunteer with the St. Thomas Aquinas Thrift
Shop in Logan. She was very active in the life of St.
Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish.

The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 pm on
Monday, March 26, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East
Center Street, Logan. A Mass of Christian Burial will
be celebrated at the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Center
at noon on Tuesday, March 27. Burial will follow in
Virginia.

We express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Ali Ben-Jacob,
M.D., and the staff of Cache Valley Cancer Treatment
for their kind support and sensitive care over the
past 18 months.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made
in Joan’s memory to the Sisters of St. Benedict at
Mount Benedict Monastery, 6000 South 1075 East, Ogden,
UT 84405.
Condolences may be shared with the family at
www.allenmortuaries.net