Joan Theresa Curtis

Joan Theresa Curtis was born in Baltimore, Md., third child and first daughter of Thomas Eugene and Evelyn Cecelia Curtis. She was right in the middle of five children in a big Catholic family but she never got lost. She always stood out – her energy, her intelligence, her talent.



Her combination of smarts and athletics was evident from the start -- whether she was reading everything or winning a gold medal in the junior Olympics for track and field. Joan could keep up with her two older brothers, and when two younger sisters came along, she was a mother-sister to them both, taking them shopping and to the movies, teaching them and treating their every concern – no matter how trivial – as though it were the most important thing in the world.

Joan attended St. Pius V grade school and St. Frances Academy for high school, taught in both by the Oblate Sisters of Providence. She excelled in every subject – except maybe punctuality.



Joan was a warrior for justice, active in the student civil rights sit-in movement through her membership in the Maryland Civic Interest Group (CIG), which was one of the founding member organizations of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Members often met for meetings at the Curtis house on Dolphin Street. Joan's father was a little apprehensive when his oldest daughter joined her brother Thomas Jr. and Douglass Anthony (Tony) in demonstrations. But, as Thomas recalls, she was "in the movement," a "partner."



At the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, she played a part, handing out signs for travelers who wanted to carry slogans such as "We Shall Overcome" on the National Mall. It was a family affair as her mother attended with a church group and her two brothers also worked with and took part in the historic day.



Joan remained interested in politics and current events, always ready for a lively discussion. She loved old movies and live theater, and took her baby sister Mary to a live performance of "Hair" when its national tour came to Baltimore. That was an experience for both of them.



Joan held a variety of positions in her career, at the Baltimore Gas & Electronic company, the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, the Federal Reserve Bank, and with her father-in-law's businesses. She retired as a research statistician with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The proudest part of Joan's life was her daughter, Cheryl Lynn Bedford, and their close relationship led to one of Joan's greatest life adventures. She visited when Cheryl was attending AFI (the American Film Institute) in Los Angeles and decided that she had never felt heat without humidity. She never knew that she actually liked heat. Within a year she moved to Los Angeles with Cheryl.

Joan noticed that there was a need for good inexpensive catering for students and low-budget movies, so she became an entrepreneur, starting her own catering company -- Mom's Kitchen. Her very first catering job was a short film called "The 22nd Floor," produced by her daughter and directed by Craig Ross, Jr. As word about her delicious meals grew so did her business, and she became Curtis Catering.

Joan provided jobs for up-and-coming filmmakers and actors, as well as fed them when they were stretched for cash, as sometimes happens in the movie business. Many were sustained by the jobs and food that Joan provided, but even more by the infinite love and support she gave young people in the industry.

That is an important part of her legacy.

After Joan was diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) she could no longer cater but she never stopped the unconditional love and unwavering support for all. Joan was mom and grand teacher to many – they became her family. Everyone who knew her could attest to her unique sense of humor that could find a laugh even when she was feeling ill.

Joan was a fun-loving woman, whose favorite color was blue. She loved the music of the band "Cameo" and was also a great dancer. When she was younger and company would come to visit her parents in Baltimore, they would ask Tony and Joan to partner dance because they were so good.

Joan was also a woman of faith, who found peace in saying the rosary, something she shared with her sister Janice when she was in the hospital this last time. She always prayed for others.



Joan enjoyed introducing friends and family to real California Mojitos when they came to visit. She loved the peace of living in California – with the sunshine, warm climate and ocean – and her beloved Cheryl.

Besides her daughter Cheryl, she is survived by two sisters, Janice Curtis Greene and Mary C. Curtis and a brother, Thomas Curtis, Jr., brothers-in-law, Paris Greene, Martin F. Olsen, Reginald Bedford, a sister-in-law, Juanita Curtis, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews and tons and tons of friends. She also leaves behind what she first called her "grand-students" (all the wonderful young men and women Cheryl had the complete honor of teaching).

Joan Theresa Curtis said she wanted to live to be 70. As was her way, Joan passed that goal.

Rest in peace and breathe easy now, Joan. You will be missed.