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Loris... Joan Elizabeth Weltner, 71, formerly of Simsbury and Collinsville, CT, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2022 after a brave and courageous battle with a lung condition. Joanie was born to Frederick and Anna (Toepfer) Weltner on November 26, 1950, in Mineola, NY and was raised in Simsbury, CT. After high school graduation Joanie attended Cazenovia College in New York and settled into being a bookkeeper and office manager for local companies in Simsbury, CT. After marrying her true love, Charlie Leonard, Joanie enjoyed building their lives together. While raising their blended family, Joan and Charlie began internet reporting on NASCAR races, discovered their love of RV'ing, and made lifelong friends from strangers along the way. Once their children were grown, Joanie and Charlie set off on a semi-retirement adventure to South Carolina, settling in Loris. While in Loris, Joanie and Charlie discovered the local live music scene--enjoying dancing together, especially to the slow songs--and adding to their circle of friends. When there was not live music playing Joanie filled her time by being a bookkeeper and office worker to various companies in the greater Myrtle Beach, SC area. When the need for a vacation called, Joanie headed to the sun and sand of the Bahamas, once again forming lifelong friendships. Through all her adventures and love in her life, Joan's greatest joy was helping raise her granddaughter, Jayla. In addition to her husband, Joanie will be missed and mourned by her daughter Brie Anna Weltner of Loris, SC; sons Jaime Bissonnette and his wife, Song, of Boston, MA,Charles (Chuck)Leonard of Palm Desert, CA, and Joshua Leonard of Portland, ME; her sister, Margaret (Jack) Golas of Meriden, CT; her beloved grandchildren Jayla and Charles Weltner; her nieces; her cousins; her ever faithful German Shepherd companion and protestor, Bear; and those friends who became as close as family along the way. The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Duke University for their compassionate care and excellent treatment of Joanie during and after her lung transplant; the doctors, nurses nad emergency room staff at McLeod Medical Center in Loris who always treated Joanie with care and dignity; and the staff of Amedisys Hospice of South Carolina who cared for Joanie during her final days. The Goldfinch Funeral Home in Loris will oversee the arrangements. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Loris Chapel. Visitation prior to the service from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at the chapel. Burial will be with her parents in Simsbury, CT at the convenience of the family.

Tributes

Joan Elizabeth Weltner

November 26, 1950 - November 2, 2022