JOAN EILEEN ONOFRIO, 86

JOAN EILEEN ONOFRIO, 86, of Hendersonville passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at The Laurels of Hendersonville Rehabilitation Center. Joan was born and raised in Lincolnshire, England. She attended the Kesteven and Sleaford School for Girls, then graduated from GPO Business School. After completing school, Joan worked for the British Postal Service for a few years before and after joining the Women’s Royal Naval Service where she was a pay writer. The Naval Service is where Joan would meet her first husband, Francis Hennessey.

For the love of travel and the Naval Service, Joan visited and eventually moved to the United States Virgin Islands. She met and married Pat Onofrio, a real estate investor. Together they owned and managed nine acres of beachfront properties, amongst other properties in the U.S.V.I. Joan would later work in sales of fine art and jewelry through her retirement in 1993.

Joan was a loyal and expert bridge player, spoke fluent French, and was an avid swimmer and tennis player. Her social affiliations included the Bridge Club, French Club, Tennis Club, and the swim group at the YMCA, all in Hendersonville. Joan was also a seamstress and made quite a number of fashionable clothes, including matching outfits for her and her daughter’s birthdays.

Joan was preceded in death by her husbands, Francis and Pat; brothers, Jack and Frank; sisters, Madge and Doreen; and nephew, Robert. Joan is survived by her eldest sister, Joyce of Lincolnshire, England; daughter, Denise of the United States Virgin Islands; nieces, Sally and Sarah; and nephews, David and Steven.

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM Saturday, July 8 at St. James Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. James Episcopal Endowment, 766 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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