Joan Elizabeth Tobias

Joan Elizabeth Tobias passed away early in the morning on December 3, 2024, at her home. She was 94 years old.

Born on April 21, 1930, in Racine, Wisconsin, Joan was the daughter of Helene Loretta and George David Seatter. She graduated from Park High School and later went on to earn a BA in Education from the College of Racine (formerly Dominican College) and an M.Ed. from National Louis College. In 1950, Joan married Richard Louis Tobias, and they shared 57 happy years together. In 1957, Richard built a home in Wind Point where they raised their five children.

While raising her children she was active with the Girl Scout Brownies, Wind Point School PTA, and was a Wind Point election day poll worker. She managed the accounting for the family construction business. Joan began a new chapter in life, working for the Racine Unified School District as a teacher and librarian from 1976 until her retirement in 1995. She worked at several schools, including Olympia Brown in the special education area, North Park Elementary, and Wind Point Elementary as the Librarian. Her love of reading was the hallmark of her career, and she found great joy in surrounding herself with books and reading to children.

An avid reader from childhood, Joan had a particular fondness for children’s literature and mysteries. Her favorite book was "Anne of Green Gables," and she was thrilled to fulfill a dream of traveling to Prince Edward Island to see the book's setting in person. Another lifelong dream came true when she traveled to Europe, and also a special trip to the Orkney Islands to connect with her father's family heritage and visit relatives still living there.

During her retirement years, Joan devoted her time to reading, traveling, and exploring her love of cooking through an extensive collection of cookbooks. She was a loving dog owner and found great companionship in her canine friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, in 2008.

Joan is survived by her five children: Terri Appleget of Charleston, SC, Wendy Allen of Plover, WI, Betsy (Drew McGill) Tobias of Gainesville, FL., Richard Tobias (Jeffrey Garthee) of Mequon, WI, and Robert Tobias of Delafield, WI; ten grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Friends of the Racine Public Library would be appreciated.

The family will hold a private memorial service. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery in Racine, WI.