Joan Phyllis French (Greer)

A Life of Love, Family, and Beautiful Traditions

Joan Phyllis French, age 84, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on March 3, 1942, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Robert and Doris Greer (née Miller), Joan was the second of seven children. After graduating from Johnson High School in Saint Paul, she worked as a secretary and assistant, a path that led her to meet the love of her life, Roy. They married in 1966 and built a beautiful life together, sharing 60 wonderful years of marriage centered on family, love, and devotion.

Throughout her life, Joan held various positions, including working at a bakery before becoming a pharmacy technician at Target and later at Regions Hospital, where she remained until retirement. Above all, Joan considered being a mother her greatest role. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she expressed her love through actions, always making time to be involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Whether caring for them, sharing homemade treats, or simply spending time together, she made sure her family knew how deeply they were loved.

Those who knew Joan will remember the lady in the red glasses, a woman with a quiet but unmistakable sense of humor, a curious spirit, and a personality uniquely and unapologetically her own. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, and her playful side often emerged when she put on those familiar red glasses, bringing laughter to her family. Joan delighted in life's simple pleasures, including her cherished tradition of balancing an egg on its end during the spring and fall equinoxes.

Her love was reflected in her baking, gardening, and countless thoughtful acts of kindness. Her generous spirit also extended to the community, where she actively supported the local food shelf and helped provide for those in need. Joan quietly made a difference in others' lives through her compassion and willingness to help.

Joan is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Roy French; her three children, Lynn Johnson (Wade), Nickie Peterson (Shawn), and David French (Anna DePompolo); and her six cherished grandchildren, Ella, Annika, Tori, Cole, Enzo, and Massimo. She is also survived by two sisters, three brothers, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.

While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing Joan was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus. Her memory will live on through the laughter, recipes, and traditions she leaves behind. We will think of her each spring when the robins return and the annual robin count begins; see her in the flowers that bloom; and remember her in freshly baked treats and cherished family gatherings. Joan reminded us that love is found in life's simplest moments, through kindness, generosity, and caring for one another. We will carry her love in our hearts through all the seasons to come.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN 55082. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather at 11:00 a.m., one hour before the service. A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

In keeping with Joan’s love of vibrant colors, the family invites those attending to wear something bright and colorful to celebrate her life, rather than traditional mourning attire.

Until we meet again.