Joan W. Tardiff

Joan Weber Tardiff of Leesburg, Florida, passed away on Dec 7, 2025 with her beloved husband, Bob, by her side. She was born in College Point, New York on June 13, 1940, the second daughter of Otto and Teresa Weber. A true New Yorker, she embodied the idea that “you can take the girl out of New York, but you can’t take the New York out of the girl.” She graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in 1958 and began working in the personnel department at the JCPenney Company. There she met Bob, an applicant to the management training program. Bob got the job, and also the girl. They married in 1963 and recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary. Bob and Joan moved to many places throughout their marriage: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Connecticut, Maine, and finally Florida. Joan looked at each move as an adventure and an opportunity to make new friends. While living in Ohio, she started working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a nursing home, where she found her passion for working with the elderly. She worked as a CNA and a recreation coordinator in several different facilities and brought much joy to the residents. Her biggest joy was her family. She and Bob have four children: Michael, Suzanne, Marc, and Matthew. Whether it was picking out the perfect gift for the annual “Christmas raffle,” vacationing at Lake Winnipesaukee, or FaceTiming her grandchildren, she was happiest surrounded by the people she loves. She also had a wide group of friends from different organizations and was an enthusiastic fundraiser. She organized TableScapes to raise money for people undergoing cancer treatments. She also made hot cross buns, organized a meatball grinder dinner, and headed up a fashion show to raise money for the Italian American Club’s Charitable Giving. She loved playing the role of Mrs. Claus (with Bob as Mr. Claus) for the Child Advocacy Center in Leesburg. If Joan asked for donations or volunteers, it was nearly impossible to say no to her. A lover of all things vintage, she enjoyed scouring for treasures in thrift shops. She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Leesburg, and also volunteered in the thrift shop. She loved creating crafts for family and friends. Countless people have been given handmade soap, blankets, placemats and tablecloths, pictures, pillows, and purses, all made with tremendous love. She was embroidering a scene with a Christmas tree until the day she passed away. She was an avid baker and always had a loaf of fresh bread ready to share. In addition to Bob, she is survived by her children: Michael and his wife Kristine of Concord, NH and their children Samuel, Benjamin, and Anna; Suzanne and her husband Mark of Ivoryton, CT and their children Nathan and Jill; Marc and his wife Sheri of Mystic, CT and their daughter Rose; and Matthew and his wife Olivia of Keene NH and their children Lily and Zachary. She is also survived by her sister, Clara Black, and sister-in-law, Carole Weber, both of Leesburg; sister-in-law, Suzanne Bourque, of North Fort Myers; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and countless friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Richard Weber. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Leesburg, Florida, at 10:30 am on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. A reception will follow in Holy Family Hall. Joan’s family would like to thank her caregivers at the University of Florida Healthcare for their extraordinary care and compassion. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the University of Florida Health (giving.ufhealth.org) .

Joan W. Tardiff

June 13, 1940 - December 7, 2025