Joan M. Brownell, 78, of Laurys Station, died Oct. 10, 2021, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Inpatient Hospice, Allentown. She was the wife of Richard E. Brownell for 58 years.

Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Godfried and Minnie (Lauf) Thomas.

She graduated from East Stroudsburg State Teacher’s College in 1965, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. She earned a master’s degree in education from Kutztown State Teachers College in 1970.

She was last employed by the Northampton Area School District as a first-grade teacher at Lehigh Elementary School for 15 years, retiring in 2002. Earlier, she and her husband co-owned and directed Little People Day Care, Allentown, from 1978 to 1985.

She was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Egypt.

She was a former counselor at Camp Mosey Wood Girl Scout Camp, Lake Harmony, for many years. She was a certified massage therapist and a Reiki master.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Susan B. and her husband Wayne Robinson of Hampton, N.J., and Jayne E. of Oxford, Ohio; a sister, Shannon and her husband Richard Delp of Gilbertsville; and two granddaughters, Elise and Emma.

Contributions may be made to Friends of Acadia/Acadia National Park, c/o the funeral home, 2119 Washington Ave., Northampton, 18067.

Arrangements were made by the Schisler Funeral Home Inc.