Joan Carline
Joan Carline
Joan Carline, beloved matriarch and steady heart of her family, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, at Vesta House Hospice, with her granddaughter Danielle Powers by her side. She was 96.
Born June 2, 1930, in Jersey City, N.J., Joan grew up in the joyful swirl of grandparents, parents, cousins, and lifelong friends (Maria Fautus), especially during summers at the Jersey Shore. Those early years shaped her lifelong devotion to family, community, and the simple holiness of loving people well.
On June 5, 1949, Joan married the love of her life, Thomas James Carline. In 1973, tired of shoveling snow, they moved their family to Scottsdale, later settling in SunBird in 1991.
Joan was the cherished mother of Dennis, Thomas, Diann, and Antoinette; grandmother to Brandy, Zachary, Danielle, and Catherine; great–grandmother to Gillian, Taylor, Preston/Zane, Alexandria, Niklaus, Sienna and Gage; and great–great–grandmother to Mauricio, Anthony, and Joana. She is survived by her younger sister, Lucy Kastin Geller, and preceded in death by her brother, Angelo Sciavolino.
A devoted Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Stevens Catholic Church in Sun Lakes, Joan lived her faith daily. She loved without prejudice, welcomed without hesitation, and embraced without judgment. In a world often divided by smallness, she chose kindness and compassion—yet she never tolerated rudeness or intolerance. Her love was gentle, but never weak.
For 35 years in SunBird, Joan was a vibrant presence. She volunteered with Neighbors Who Care and the SunBird Kare Bears. She treasured her neighbors, including Pat and Judy Donnelly, Dan and Jean Reedy, Kelly and Kay Davis, Rick and Lish Begger, and Joan Steinke, with special gratitude to George and Kathy Adams for their years of care and kindness.
Joan had a youthful spirit and a dancer’s heart. Ballroom dancing was her great joy, and with her longtime partner, Gary Kanowsky, she danced countless Cha Chas filled with joy.
In her later years, Joan was lovingly supported by her caregiver, Louise Dodson, and longtime caregiver and friend, Sophia Hagg, whom Joan affectionately adopted as a third daughter. Her daughter Antoinette de Wolff managed her care with deep devotion with help from Joan’s dear friends, Pam Montgomery, Pam Hahn, and Jocelyn Faria. Antoinette was blessed to spend a week of celebration for her mom’s 96th birthday.
Joan’s life was defined by quiet strength, generosity, and unwavering love. Her legacy endures in every heart she touched.
May she rest in God’s eternal peace, reunited with her beloved Tom, and forever dancing!