On June 10 Joan entered the presence of her Savior, the Lord Jesus.

Joan Andersen was born July 29, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York. As a young girl she moved to Trumbull, where she was raised in the Calvary Evangelical Free Church and attended Trumbull public schools. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Connecticut State College. Joan married Charles F. Callahan in May 1973 and they moved to Branford, where they raised their two sons, Dave and Dan. There she taught physical education for 35 years in the high school and elementary schools. She coached field hockey, track and field, and gymnastics, and she choreographed several elementary school plays. She retired in 2009 and was later inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame.

In addition to her creative approaches to physical education and fitness, Joan had a special heart for children, desiring that they learn and experience a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that would continue to grow with them into adulthood. She started the Children’s Church Ministry at the Branford Evangelical Free Church, where she also taught Sunday school, coordinated Pioneer Girls and Sports and Art Camp, and participated in Women’s Ministries. Joan served as director of Children’s Ministries for two years and she enjoyed playing the organ and piano for worship services.

She is survived by her husband Charles; sons Dave, his wife Paula and their sons Cooper, Ben, and Scout of Branford, and Dan, his wife Margaret, and their daughters Lily, Autumn, and Gabrielle of Belton, Missouri; and her sister Phyllis and her husband Doug Honeychurch of Trumbull.

A memorial service was held June 12 at Branford Evangelical Free Church, 231 Leetes Island Rd. in Branford. The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford, was in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Joanie has asked that donations be made to Branford Evangelical Free Church Children’s and Worship Ministries. For an online memorial, please visit www.wsclancy.com.