Joann M. Darbyshire

Joann was born November 26, 1931 in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania to Zita and Lawrence Speicher. Always hard-working and industrious, she waited tables in several establishments along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Eventually, she discovered the benefits of working in the large resorts throughout the eastern U.S. She met her husband, Philip Darbyshire, in 1958 at the Naples Beach Club Hotel - Naples, Florida.

Joann and Phil settled in Venice in 1970, where they raised six children: Lisa Backer (Jeff); Gavin Darbyshire (Pam); Bruce Darbyshire (Lisa Cipriani); Grace Kahn (Barry); Susan Martin (David); and Charles Darbyshire (Aga). She adored and helped raise her 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Joann was a devout Catholic and was often referred to as a Dear Soul, a hard worker and a calm force of nature. She never met a task she wasn’t up to. She was a shining example of love, devotion, and strength to all who knew her.

One grandchild recently revealed that he had just discovered his grandmother’s secret to her many shark tooth excursions that he and other grandkids would go on with her. He had never realized that as she walked ahead of him on the beach, she was dropping shark teeth on the sand for him and the other grandkids to “find.”

What a beautiful and fitting tribute to the wise matriarch who led us all, lovingly dropping bits of her wisdom and knowledge for us to stumble upon and discover.

Celebration of Life will be held at Epiphany Cathedral, 310 Sarasota Street, Venice, FL 34285 on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Joann Darbyshire can be made to either: Epiphany Cathedral School, Venice, FL or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, New Baltimore, PA in the way of prayer masses.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/sarasota for the Darbyshire family.