Peacefully passed away September 17, 2021.

On September 17, 2021, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and loyal friend departed this wonderful life for her residence in heaven at the tender age of 80.

Joan was born on August 1, 1941 to the late Evelyn E. Murray and the late William Muschette in Bel Alton, Maryland.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Patricia Ashton, granddaughter, Tiffany Woodland, Aunt Lois Murry and sister-in-law, Joyce Murray and grandmother, Maggie Murry.

She started her religion at an early age many times walking to church with her mother and sisters to St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Chapel Point where they all cleaned the church regularly.  In the 90's Joan volunteered at church on Sundays after the 12 o'clock mass, assisting with the weekly collections.

Joan was educated in the Charles County public school system and graduated from Bel Alton High School in 1959.  In 1961, she married Francis DeSales Woodland and of that union had two children.

She attended Temple Business School in Washington, DC, receiving a certificate in Keypunch Operations in 1962.  In 1963, she started her career at the Naval Ordnance Station in Indian Head, Maryland as a Keypunch Operator.  The 60's were difficult years at work for her, but she refused to give up.  Joan attended classes at Charles County Community College and took many classes at the Honeywell Educational Systems in Virginia.  She was a Union Shop Steward with AFGE Local 1660, an EEO Counselor and a member of FEW (Federal Employed Woman) fighting for the rights and dignity of all employees.  Joan received many letters of appreciation and awards.  She held a number of different positions over the years and retired in 1995 as a Computer Specialist with 2 years of service.

After retirement, Joan volunteered for the AARP Income Tax Program for seniors at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center in La Plata.  This program was so rewarding and she thoroughly enjoyed it.  At 19 she got a part-time job in the Senior Information and Assistance Office at the center.  She loved that job and her seniors so very much.  Joan worked there for 18 more years.  She cried and laughed almost every week with her seniors and would do anything she could for them.

Joan enjoyed her life and loved to travel, dance-dance and bowling was her passion.  She bowled with Ceno Mixed League, Inez Golden Keglers, AFGE Mixed League and the Pinefield Ladies Bowling Leagues.  She was also a member of the Classics Ladies Bowling Club which she started and they bowled in the Women's National Tournament in which they traveled to many different states.  She was also a member of the Bel Alton High School Alumni Association CDC (Secretary), the Sassy Red Hatters, the Southern Maryland Line Dancers and the St. Phillips Line Dancers.  The line dancers performed outreach in the community spreading much love and joy to others.  Joan loved the Washington Football Team formerly known as the Washington Redskins and the Washington Nationals Baseball team.  Attending those games were exciting and much fun for her.  She enjoyed life so much, her laugh was infectious and she always needed a hug.

She also loved volunteering in the community.  She volunteered as an Election Judge for several presidential elections, Christmas Connection, Christmas-in-April, AARP Income Tax Program, Southern Maryland Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic and the Charles County Office of Aging.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter, Pascalet T. Woodland, son, Francis G. (Jerry) Woodland (Denise), sisters; Pamela Murray-Burke, Carol Muschette and Sharon Turner, brothers; Gerald (Linda), Gary and Rodney Murray, granddaughters, Kimberly Woodland-Saunders, Sydney Woodland, and Imani Woodland, grandsons, Brandon Woodland, Phillip Woodland, great grandsons; twins, Brandon, Jr. and Demetrius Woodland, Fred and Nicholas Saunders and a host of relatives and friends.

Friends may visit with the family Tuesday, September 28 from 4-7pm at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel, 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 29 at 10 am at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 8855 Chapel Point Road Port Tobacco, MD. Interment to follow at St. Ignatius Church Cemetery.