Joan Silveus was a young nursing student in England near the end of WWII. At a college dance she met a young American airman who had ridden his bicycle from his base. “We danced all night and he could dance. We danced the waltz and rumba and we have danced our entire life.”

They married and Don returned to America to prepare home for his bride. One of the hardest parts of the move for Joan was saying good bye to her family and then the long ocean journey. “But he was my husband and I would go where he went.” They were reunited in New York and Don drove them back to Ohio showing her the sites on their return to their new home in Findlay. Don had been raised in Mortimer. He was soon hired as a postal letter carrier and for 39 years served the area.

Joan worked at the local hospital until her babies were born then stayed home to raise them. When they were all in school she worked for the Hello Shop Hallmark store for 10 years. She was also one of the local Welcome Wagon ladies whose job it was to welcome all new citizens of Findlay. She would visit their homes, give them information about the area, schools, hospitals, and leave coupons for local businesses. She also served as president of the International Women’s Group.

Joan has three sons and one daughter and they have given her seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She lives with her daughter and has a constant furry companion Murphy, a loving rescue dog. The family tries to get together every December for a reunion.

Her advice to young women coming for the first time to America is “learn the language and learn to cook American style.” Thanks for coming to America, Joan.