Joan D. Schram

Joan D. Schram, 81 of Port Charlotte, FL passed away Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Tidewell Hospice in Englewood. Born on February 14, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA, she was a Florida resident since 1988. Joan, known as "Toni" to many of her friends and family, was the daughter of Joseph Oliver Dean II, MD and Amy Howell Dean. Her father was a physician who served as a quarantine officer during WWII stationed in old San Juan Puerto Rico who later became the Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S Public Health Service. During the summer, Toni would visit her Aunt and Uncle in Cuba while they were involved in the sugar business on that island. It was during these times that Toni fell in love with the tropics. Toni visited most all of the well known Caribbean islands during her lifetime and enjoyed many of the world's finest beaches. She loved clear blue skies and crystal clear water, palm trees and sand. Toni was a great traveler and visited cities on nearly every continent. She even traveled to the Antarctic aboard an old Russian Ice Breaker. She and her husband Ed moved to Florida in 1988 after many rewarding years on the family farm in Poolesville, Maryland where they carefully tended an orchard, vineyard and large garden year after year. Toni particularly loved her chickens and crowing roosters, ducks, geese and Franklin, the family's only turkey. She was the mother to a baby crow named Edgar who would follow her while she picked blueberries and steal them from her pail and she was loved and watched over by many fine and loyal dogs. Mostly Toni loved her family and friends. She and her brothers and sister would get together as often as possible and would laugh and tell stories for hours at a time. Toni had a kind, gentle and generous nature. She was generous with her love and her time with friends, family and the community. She volunteered with Big Brothers//Big Sisters of Charlotte County and worked in the Montgomery County, MD school system helping children with special needs. Toni faced a long and protracted illness yet always marveled to visitors what a blessed and gifted life she enjoyed. Never once complaining. Never a bitter word spoken. Toni touched people's lives worldwide and always viewed Humanity in the highest possible regard and we loved her dearly for it. Dear wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, mother-in-law, cousin and friend, we will miss you forever. Survivors include her loving husband of 60 years: Edward A. Schram of Port Charlotte, FL; one son: Bruce E. Schram of Venice, FL; two daughters: Linda S. Fishman and Lisa S. Boettner both of Frederick, MD; one grand daughter: Kani C. Schram of Venice, FL A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 11:30 Am at the Englewood United Methodist Church, 700 East Dearborn Street, with a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 in her memory. You may share a memory with the family at www.englewoodfh.com Englewood Community Funeral Home with Private Crematory has been selected to handle arrangements.