Libertyville, Illinois - JOAN HORNBY

OTTUMWA - Joan O'Hara Hornby, 90, of Libertyville, Illinois, died on November 23, 2025. She passed away in Portland, Oregon during an extended visit with her son, John.

Joan was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on July 20, 1935 to Martin and Florence Vosmer O'Hara. She graduated from Ottumwa High School, then attended the University of Iowa, where she was a member of Delta Gamma, performed with the Scottish Highlanders throughout the United States and Europe, and graduated with a master's degree in French. Following graduation, Joan was awarded a Rotary Scholarship and furthered her degree at the Sorbonne University in Paris. D.C Heath Publishing and Film Company then hired her as a representative and consultant for their French publications, TV and film productions.

In 1963 Joan married the love of her life, Edward Windsor Hornby, had two sons and moved to Libertyville, Illinois. After his passing, Joan began a long career with Mundelein High School teaching French and heading up the National Honor Society and the Super Seniors Program among others. After retirement at age 65, Joan was asked to initiate a program in Mundelein High School teaching English as a second language. She administered and expanded that program until her retirement at age 85 when her program was recognized as the best program in the state of Illinois. She was president of the Mundelein Rotary Club and was awarded three Paul Harris Awards, served on the Mundelein Library Board, and was named Outstanding Volunteer for the northern suburbs of Chicago. Joan also had a lifelong passion for genealogy and spent countless hours researching and documenting family history.

Joan is survived by her children, John Hornby (Mia Anderson) of Portland, OR and Tom (Tracie) Hornby of Ft. Myers, FL; grandchildren, Enya Hornby of Glendale, AZ and Jaryn Hornby of Puyallup, WA; siblings, Michael (Terri) O'Hara of Ottumwa and Farron Winges of Naples, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Florence O'Hara and brother-in law, Roger Winges.

Joan will be dearly missed and remembered by her family in addition to the countless friends and students whose lives she touched during her life.

A Christian Wake service will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday December 4th at Reece Funeral Home followed by visitation with her family present to greet friends until 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Friday December 5th at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 121 E. Maple Ave. Libertyville, IL 60048.