Joan Bard Collins

She was a 1954 graduate of Bishop Knoll Catholic school. She earned her Bachelor’s at Ball State Teachers College in 1958. She began teaching in the Chicagoland area as a part of the Chicago Public School system. During that time, she also earned her Master’s in Education from Loyola University Chicago.

A lifelong lover of art, Joan met her husband James during a drawing class at the Art Institute of Chicago. They ran a successful architectural firm for over 40 years before retiring in 2021.

Joan was also a published author of mysteries. In addition to several short stories, her historical mystery novel “Honor Above All” is currently in its second printing.

Joan will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband James, her son Matthew (Celeste) and their children, Gabriel and Neige; her son Jon (Thomas Hietter); her son Owen (Ann Courtney) and their children, McKelvey, Arden and Liam.