Joan Mai Habben

Joan was born Joan Eileen Mai to Fred and Augusta (Weisgerber) Mai in Queens, New York. She grew up in Middle Village, (NY) surrounded by a loving family and was raised in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. As a child she and her father went to Dodger games at Ebbets Field, where she watched Jackie Robinson join the team in 1947. Throughout her life she was first a Brooklyn Dodger fan and then rooted for the New York Mets. Her father instilled a love of baseball and her husband a love of hockey, specifically for the Montreal Canadiens. She graduated from Newtown High School (NY) in 1955, where she had learned typing skills (127 words per minute) that would serve her well in her future profession. She began employment with Mobil Oil in November of that same year, gradually advancing to the work in their Marine Department as an executive secretary. She served the company she loved for 17 years until her daughter, Kerri, was born in 1973. There were friendships forged in these years at Mobil that lasted all of their lives. It was at Mobil that she met her husband, Eric L. Habben. Together they created a loving energy and truly compatible union that gave everyone around them joy, especially their daughter, Kerri. Throughout their years together they traveled across the United States and in Eric’s native Canada. Joan always loved geography and possessed a mind that could memorize a map, an inherent skill that made these journeys even more enjoyable. Since 1978 Joan and her family made their home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Until their passings her parents and aunt and uncle lived across the street from her home, creating a family circle which was a true blessing. Joan used her wonderful logic, deep devotion, and good memory all of her life, whether it was organizing a craft fair at Kerri’s school, helping to care for ailing family members, or in maintaining a home and providing all that her family could want and more. She was a dedicated needleworker all of her life, including sewing, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and in these most recent years predominantly knitting and crocheting. In addition to her husband, Eric, and her sister-in-law, Carmen M. Vincent, she is predeceased by her parents, Fred and Augusta Mai, a great-uncle and aunt, Henry and Wilma Weisgerber, and many friends from all aspects of her life. She is survived by her grateful daughter, Kerri Mai Habben; a nephew and his wife, Wayne and Donna Vincent; their children and grandchildren; a niece, Lynne Vincent, and her daughter, Lindy Vincent. In addition she leaves many dear friends who also brought her much joy. Kerri wishes to thank all of the friends who truly were angels during Joan’s brief illness with metastasized disease of the brain. Their unwavering devotion and loving care is further evidence of the love and grace that surrounds us. Their presence truly gave Joan and Kerri a precious peace during this life transition. Joan was a person of great faith. She lived her love for God with an open heart every day of her life and leaves a treasured example of authenticity and integrity to all who knew and love her. She will be missed tremendously and loved endlessly.

Joan Mai Habben

May 1, 1938 - March 13, 2018