Joan Marion Henkel McFarlane, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 13, 2025, in Richardson, Texas.

Joan was born on April 19, 1934, in Philadelphia, PA. She grew up in Philadelphia and attended Kensington High School where she studied English, shorthand, and typing. These skills helped Joan grow from mail clerk to Executive Secretary for the Vice President & General Manger at The Reuben H. Donnelly Corporation. Joan applied her business skills at The Hockaday School, where she served as the Upper School Registrar for 25 years. In this role Joan was recognized for her ability to support students, parents, and faculty in achieving educational success.

Joan married George Thomas McFarlane on November 27, 1954. High school sweethearts who shared a love of laughter and faith, their marriage ended with George’s death in 1986. Joan often spoke of how George’s faith continued to grow within her. She described her faith journey as being the most exciting part of growing old, writing “every day I feel comforted, healed and shown the way through my quiet times.”

Joan is survived by her children Leslie McFarlane and Fred Wilshusen, G. Kenneth McFarlane and Rita Casey, Jennifer and Tim Ware, and grandchildren Andrew Wilshusen and Celeste Durham, Thomas and Autumn Wilshusen, Katherine Wilshusen and Matt Zaruba, Nicholas Ware, Megan Ware, and great grandchild Charlotte Jo Wilshusen.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Otto Henry and Clara Elizabeth Henkel, sisters Eleanor Clara Henkel Prince and Mildred Sophie Henkel Mendel Shillingford, and brothers Robert Otto Henkel and John William Henkel, and husband George Thomas McFarlane.

Joan will be remembered for her faith, daily devotionals, and love of singing. A member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church since 1973, Joan joined the church’s choir in 1988 so she wouldn’t have to sit in the pews each week without George. It didn’t take long for Joan to become the volunteer librarian where she happily organized the sheet music for the 150-member Sanctuary Choir. Joan traveled with the choir for tours in England and Rome and counted the days between each annual Americana Concert. In Joan’s final days, the music of John Rutter filled her room as she slowly transitioned to the “heavenly choir.”

A memorial service will be held on October 10, 2025, at 11:00am at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Rd. Dallas, TX, 75230. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Appletree Court and Holding Hands Hospice for their kindness and support.