Joan Frances Morgan

Joan Frances Morgan (Aberbach), 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 14, 2021.

Joan was born to Jacob and Madlyn Aberbach in Brooklyn, NY in 1936, growing up in the neighborhood of Flatbush. She attended Hunter College, married Arthur Morgan in 1962 and started her family, moving several times with Art’s job with Dupont, finally settling in Wilmington, DE. She held a variety of jobs in her career, starting at NY School for the Deaf in Manhattan, then working part time at the Children’s Boutique in Branmar Plaza while her children were small.

A great lover of education, Joan earned her first Master’s Degree from Brooklyn College, then two more from Our Lady of Angels (now Neumann University) and Villanova University. She used her knowledge as the religion department chair at Ursuline Academy, where she taught from 1979 through 1996. Here she made many wonderful friends and had a positive impact on countless young lives. Mom had a passion for traveling and went on trips to Europe numerous times with Ursuline students. She finished her career at Ursuline by serving at principal from 1996 through 1999, cherishing her leadership role.

Mom loved the many friends she made in Delaware, spending time at Wilmington Drama League, attending church at Holy Child and Holy Rosary, singing in her choir and guiding her boys through school and into college. She was a great lover of books, music, art, adventure and good conversation. She was a tremendous woman of faith.

Mom’s pride and joy were her three sons and their families; she was so proud of her grandchildren and all their accomplishments. Her home was filled with their pictures taken over the years. Mom loved the beach and really enjoyed it when her grandchildren visited the beach house.

Joan was predeceased by her parents, great aunt Gertrude Gmelch, and her husband, Arthur. She is survived by her sons Richard (Meg) of Hockessin, DE, Joseph (Janice) of Geneva, IL and Patrick (Marci) of Wynnewood, PA, along with 9 grandchildren: Madeline, Leah, Ethan, Tristan, Caitlin, Declan, Delaney, Cormac and Quinlan, as well as her brother Robert (Carolyn) Aberbach of Bethany Beach, DE.

Joan’s family would like to thank the staff at the Lorelton in Wilmington and Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, www.stjude.org.