Joan Frances (Mullins) Przywara passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 17, 2025, at age 89.
Born in Wilmington, DE, Joan was the second daughter of John and Mary Kathryn Mullins. She graduated high school from Ursuline Academy in 1953 and Barry College in 1957 with a B.A. in Mathematics and Sociology.
After college, Joan began working as a professional with Girls Scouts of the USA, an organization to which she would remain dedicated for over 80 years. Joan met her husband, Richard W. Przywara, and embarked on a loving, 50-year adventure. Joan, Richie, and their five children shared camping trips throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada in their van and camper. They traveled to nearly every state and enjoyed highlights like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Redwood Forest. In retirement, Joan and Richie drove to Alaska and after Richie’s passing, Joan made a final trip to Hawaii to complete her goal of visiting all 50 states. Family camping trips continued until Joan was well into her eighties.
Joan showered her five children and ten grandchildren with constant love. Every birthday was celebrated with elaborate homemade cakes including lions with coconut manes and trains with licorice tracks. Joan was an outstanding seamstress and quilter, and made everything from her own and her daughters’ wedding dresses, her granddaughters’ Irish dancing dresses, and every child and grandchild received gorgeous handmade quilts.
Joan was a devout Catholic whose faith was central to her life. She believed that each person is created to be “God’s hands” on earth, and that we are called to be servants to our community. Joan spent 25 years as the St. Mary Magdalen church secretary. Gov. Jack Markell presented Joan with the Order of the First State for her extensive volunteer service to the Girl Scouts (80 years), Ursuline Academy (75 years), AARP, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Her greatest act of service was caring for her husband as he suffered the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Joan was predeceased by her husband Richard, her brother John F. Mullins and sister Mary Kathryn (Kay) Winner. She is survived by her brother Michael and sister-in-law Bernice Mullins; her children Richard (Maribeth), Ronald (Shannon), Carolyn (John) Ciccarone, Kenneth (MaryAnne), and Victoria (Ron) Sill, and her grandchildren, Christopher and Cameron Przywara, Madeline (Joseph) DiMartini, Anna and Sydney Przywara, Michael and Emily (Jake) Ciccarone, Casey and Krista Przywara, Grace Sill and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, on March 31, 2025 from 5-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Church on April 1, 2025 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, 4142 Ogletown-Stanton Rd., PMB #312, Newark, DE 19713.
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