Joan Dilks

Joan Constance (Baker) Dilks, age 86 yrs, died Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at her home in Quakertown, PA. Born October 1, 1933 in Philadelphia, she was the only child of the late Mifflin J. and Anna (Jankauskas) Baker, and the widow of the late James J. Dilks. Joan lived in Quakertown for the past 17 years with her daughter, Carole, who brought great joy to her later years. Prior to Quakertown, Joan lived 40 years in Valley Forge, a home designed and built by her husband. Joan attended schools in Philadelphia: St. Henry's School and Parish and Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls. She was also a student at St. Joseph's University on City Line Ave., Philadelphia. Upon HS graduation, Joan took a Supply Chain job at the Frankford Arsenal, part of the U.S. Arsenal System, which was involved in the design and manufacture of munitions. It was at the Arsenal that she met her devoted husband, Jim. Joan had other multiple jobs over her lifetime including her favorite as Homemaker and caregiver extraordinaire, grade school library aide, assistant basketball coach, skilled flower arranging with a Professional Florist, Eucharist Minister and joyful, active participation in hundreds of Baptismal preparations at her church, and administrative work at Burlington Industries. Joan loved her family above anything else in the world and was a dedicated wife and Mother. She enjoyed flower arranging, classical music and opera, bird watching, Holiday preparations, her sponsored children abroad with Compassion International and Unbound, international travel and road trips to see the ocean. She also enjoyed all animals. Joan will always be remembered for her loving kindness and hospitality to all, sunny and gracious disposition, determined and independent spirit, and beautiful smile. Joan is survived by: daughters Beatrice D. Quaintance (husband Curtis), Jane D. Wagner, Carole J. Watts (husband Todd); son James J. Dilks (wife Sandra); grandchildren Eric J. Quaintance, Jamie E. Vegso, Andrew C. Quaintance, Grace E. Wagner, Robert J. Wagner, Alexandra K. Dilks, Monica J. Bird, Mary C. Watts, Victoria A. Dilks, James M. Dilks, Anthony J. Dilks, and Elizabeth C. Dilks; and great-granddaughter Teresa E. Kraft. In addition to her parents and husband, Joan is preceded in death by: daughter Kathleen T. Flannery (husband Mike), and grandson William Vegso. A memorial Mass will be held at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, March 17, at Saint Isidore Roman Catholic Parish, 2545 West Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951. Calling hours will be at the church from 11:00 AM until the time of Mass. Interment will take place at 2:30 PM at Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery, Valley Forge, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Isidore Roman Catholic Parish in memory of Joan Dilks at the address above. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.NaugleFCS.com.