Joan passed away peacefully in her home in Point Loma on November 16, 2016. Daughter of Vita and Harold Shoemaker and brother to Tom, she was born Joan Marie on June 12, 1932 in Homewood, Illinois. Joan grew up with her family and cousins on Austin Ave. At age of 16, she was involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. She went to rehab after her hospital stay where she was taught to live 'normally' despite her disability. She attended the University of Illinois where she was an independent young woman interested in the Arts. It was during this time that she was introduced to Frank Doloszycki. Frank was also an independent young man having recovered from polio while serving in the Air Force during the Korean War. He must have seen the fiery spirit of Joan that we all knew and loved from that first day. Joan moved to Santa Cruz, CA with her family, and Frank soon joined her. They were married in Santa Cruz in 1960 and shortly thereafter moved to San Diego to start their new life together. These two very strong, independent and loving people produced a daughter, Donna and son, John. Joan and Frank lived life to the fullest together, putting family first, often hosting get-togethers with the many relatives who migrated to California from Chicago. Joan arranged her own driving lessons early on so she would be able to take her children to their activities and start her new passion, volunteer work. Barnard Elementary School PTA was her first call: serving in almost all positions and attending PTA conventions outside the San Diego area as well. When the kids went away to college, she then started volunteering at Sharp Cabrillo Hospital. Her first assignment there was in the Stroke Rehab Unit, and when that closed, she moved onto the gift shop. She made many wonderful friends at Sharp Cabrillo that she continued to keep in touch with until the day she died. She was one of the wonderful women who continued to organize their monthly lunches. She fully enjoyed all of her positions: window dresser, buyer and manager. To this day, the gift shop was the highest contributor to the hospital. When the hospital finally closed, she was recognized with an award of over 11,500 volunteer hours. In 1995, her husband of 35yrs passed away. Joan was deeply saddened and rocked to her core though Joan did not stop: her volunteer career continued at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Point Loma. Joan's independence forged her drive to always move forward. She was able to maintain a solid foundation at the Curtis Street house which was a hub for her husband and children, and eventually the 5 grandchildren that she was so excited to get to know and be part of their blossoming lives. Joan made sure that her family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances saw her for whom she was: dynamic, vibrant, giving and loving woman. She gave of herself and her time. She was an exceptional role model and a beacon of what true independence can manifest into. Joan is survived by her brother Tom Shoemaker and sister-in-law Thelma, daughter Donna, son John and daughter-in-law Nancy, and grandchildren Mark, Spencer, Katie, Jack, and Evan. In Lieu of Flowers, please make donations in Joan's name to either of the following: American Cancer Society (Discovery Shop) or the Paralyzed Veterans of America.