Joann E. Wescoat

WESCOAT, Jo Ann E. (nee Hackney) – 84 of Absecon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, June 15, 2017. JoAnn was a lifelong area resident born in Atlantic City. Those waiting to welcome JoAnn to Heaven were her loving husband of 55 years, Capt. Leon D Wescoat Jr., parents Joseph and Marion Hackney and twin sisters Marion Hackney and Barbara Scott. She was extremely proud of her large family and is survived by her three children, Leon III (Jeannine), Joseph (Faith), and JoAnn Skey (Dennis), 14 Grandchildren, Lauren Nelson (Matt), Leon Wescoat IV (Karen), Katie-Dale Oliva, Amy Vernon (Stephen), Kyle Skey (Hannah), Matt Oliva (Jocelyn), Stephen Skey (Kelsey), Abby Curran (Sean), Erinn Brinberg (Jeff), Rachael Wescoat, Joseph Wescoat Jr., Daniel Wescoat, Joshua Wescoat and Ashley Skey and 13 Great Grandchildren, Catherine, Brynley, Matt, Miguel, Lyla, Cooper, Leon V, Easton, Emmalene, Nolan, Thomas, Sophia and Levi, as well as her cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides her family, JoAnn was fond of The Girls of The Secret Seven, Friday Night Dinner Group, Mahjong Players and The Lunch Bunch, as well as her strong circle of friends. JoAnn may very well have started the term multi-tasking. While raising her family in Absecon she managed to hold several jobs, belonged to numerous clubs and was an active member of several committees and community organizations. JoAnn’s love for the beach and Boardwalk are where her life of athletics began. She was known locally as a top female athlete and was named Statuette of Life winner for Atlantic City High School and The Old Grad Award both in 1952. JoAnn was extremely proud to have been inducted into the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2000 for Athletics. She was inducted into the Atlantic City High School Hall of Fame recognizing Distinguished Female Athletics in 2013 and received the Old Grad Award in 2016 for Outstanding Support & Service. In addition to The Miss America Pageant, her list of accomplishments includes but not limited to swimming lessons for children at the Red Cross and the “Y”, family founder and supporter of the Girl’s Invitational Hackney Swim Meet, Senior Pageant, Zonta Organization, Charity League, AC Day Nursey, Absecon Women’s Club, Atlantic County Crime Stoppers and most recently the Absecon 9-11 Committee. Throughout the years, she helped to open The Playboy in the 1980’s, was co-owner of a women’s clothing store, managed a doctor’s office, ran the family business, A.C. Wescoat, Co., and was an active member at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Absecon. Needless to say, JoAnn has lived a life of service to her community, was a loving matriarch to her family, and a loyal and dedicated friend to many. Visitation will be 7:00-9:00 PM on Monday, June 19th at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 591 New Jersey Avenue, Absecon and again Tuesday 9:45AM – 10:45AM. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11:00. Burial will follow at Atlantic County Veteran’s Cemetery in Estell Manor. In Lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the charity of one’s choice. For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfh.com.