Born in St. Louis, Sister Joan entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1948, was received into the novitiate as Sister Mary Carol in 1949 and made her final profession in 1956. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Fontbonne College in 1961 and a master’s degree in education and elementary administration from St. Louis University in 1968.

Sister Joan taught in St. Louis at numerous parish schools in the 1950s: St. Leo, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Mary Magdalen and St. Philip Neri. She then taught for three years in Michigan. Returning to St. Louis in 1960, Sister Joan taught at St. Jude for a year and then at St. Luke the Evangelist Grade School for three years. She concluded her 20 years in education as both teacher and principal at St. Jude from 1964-71. Her classrooms were always filled with music and song.

That same year, Sister Joan began serving her CSJ community as the assistant provincial superior (1971-1977) and then as the director of ongoing formation (1977-1983).

For the next 13 years, Sister Joan was a retreat/renewal worker at Emmaus Community. From 1997 to 2002, she was the director of admissions at Mary Queen and Mother/Mother of Perpetual Help Home on the Cardinal Ritter Senior Services campus in Shrewsbury. The following three years, Sister Joan served her CSJ community as the hospitality coordinator at the St. Joseph Provincial House. In 2005, she began ministry in spiritual direction and was active in the Bridges Program, which brings the Ignatian spirituality and the spiritual exercise of St. Ignatius Loyola to everyday life.

Sister Joan was known to help anyone in need, including men returning from prison whom she helped write resumes and obtain jobs.

Since 2013, Sister Joan resided at Nazareth Living Center, where she carried out her ministry of prayer and presence. Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery.