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JOAN (MORRIS) BALAUN - WESTFORD - A star is born: Joan (Morris) Balaun passed peacefully in her sleep with her husband by her side, at their home in Westford, on the winter solstice, Dec. 21, 2014. Joan was born on Sept. 12, 1929, to Clayton and Dorothea (Stillwell) Morris in St. Johnsbury. She graduated from the St. Johnsbury Academy in 1947, and went on to star and direct in many theater productions for the St. Johnsbury Players, where she met her "Dear Joe." Joan's down-to-earth qualities and talents only added to her natural beauty, and not a soul who had the chance to know her was left untouched by her generosity, her gift of laughter, and her genuine love for all people. Aside from the theater, Joan loved to dance - the ballroom her second home, swing her favorite music, and the jitterbug her forte. Many remember Joan when she worked for the Music Shop and the Farmer's Daughter in St. Johnsbury, as well as the Candlemould Shop in Essex Junction. Owners prized Joan's work ethic and indefatigable devotion, and trusted her implicitly to manage their establishments. Customers stayed loyal to Joan when she opened her own shop, Plum Pudding, and many delighted in her impromptu teas and tours of her gardens filled with herbs and flowers. Joan's artistry and love of arts and crafts revealed an exquisitely elegant, giving, and talented woman who wore her heart on her sleeve and who was able to impart a unique, aesthetic style that appealed to so many. Joan liked to say that we are born from the stuff of stars, and that stardust is where we return. We have only to look up to the heavens to know that a star is born, and that Joan has once again found her rightful place among the stars. For close to 50 years, Joan and Joe shared their love in marriage. We are eternally blessed to have been given the opportunity to share our love with Joan, our very own Queen of the Stardust Ballroom. Joan is survived by her husband, Joe Balaun; and children, Craig Arthur Balaun and his partner, Greg, of Reno, Nev., Grace Andrea Shumski and her partner, John Coon, of Jericho, Dwight Alan Balaun and his wife, Ronda, of Burlington, and Gary Joseph Balaun of South Burlington. Joanie leaves her brother, Robert Morris of St. Johnsbury; sister, Jean Morris of Charleston, Vt.; granddaughter, Lena Shumski of Essex; sisters-in-law, Margaret Balaun Stearns of Newfane, and Roseanne Balaun of Salina, Kan.; and brothers- in-law, John Balaun of Evergreen, Colo., Ralph Balaun of Marysville, Kan., and Paul Balaun of Neosho, Mo. Joan was predeceased by her son Gary's identical twin, Jay Joseph Balaun; brother-in-law, Bill Balaun of Salina, Kan.; and brother, Raymond Morris. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction, followed with a special funeral service at First Congregational Church, 39 Main St., Essex Junction, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the spring at Fairview Cemetery in Essex Junction, with a celebration of Joan's life at her gardens in Westford. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.





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