HALTER, Joan (Vajnar) Enjoyed Life to the Fullest 81 of New Bedford, passed away on January 31st after a brief illness. Joan was the only child of the late Anthony Vajnar and Anna Vanera of Cleveland, Ohio, Born in Cleveland, she attended Flora Stone Mather College where she was a member of the Phi Kappa Zeta.
Joan enjoyed life to the fullest and that is how she would like to be remembered. She was deeply involved in her community, serving for many years on the Junior Leagues of Detroit, Boston and Rhode Island and active on several boards both in Boston and in New Bedford. She was deeply proud of her work on initiatives like "Tast of the Back Bay" for the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay and "Trees of New Bedford" for the New Bedford Art Museum. She was an early entrepreneur starting her own businesses, "Detroit Awareness" and "Organizational Consultants, Inc."
After becoming an emply-nester, Joan joined the Museum of Transportation, then the Children's Museum of Boston and finished her working career as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford.
Joan was the loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, David Edwin Halter, her children Cindy (Jack) Oberlin, Lynne Monzel, David (Judy) Halter, Jr, Susan Halter (Michael O'Connell), Robin Kahn, her 12 grandchildren, and her 2 great grandchildren. She was also the grandmother of the late Scott Monzel.
Joan's mass offering will be held at St. Lawrence Martyr Church, 110 Summer Street, New Bedford, February 11 at 11 am and will be followed by a reception at the family home, 13 Pope Street, New Bedford. She will be interned at Knollwood Cemetery in Cleveland Ohio at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Friends of the Free Public Library, New Bedford or the Holy Family Name School, New Bedford, MA. Her family would like to thank the staff of the Oaks for their kindness and excellent care.