Joan Lucinda Mudd

Joan Lucinda (Connery) Mudd, 88, of Evanston, Illinois, and longtime resident of Chicago, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Evanston on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023. 

Wife of the late Dr. Charles A. Mudd (2021), Joan often reflected that her greatest accomplishment in life was her five children. She radiated warmth and laughter that reflected the home that she and Charlie created with their children, Charles, Kevin (Lesley Ann), Laura (Kurt Lindland) Mudd, Samantha (Chris Wissemann) Mudd and the late Jennifer (Jeff Houghtaling) Mudd Houghtaling.

Born August 11th, 1934 to John and Jane Connery in Chicago, Joan graduated from Marywood High School in Evanston and from Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois.  After attending college, she traveled to Europe with her life-long and dear friends, Claire Hamilton and Patsy Kennedy. She then taught kindergarten at Saint Athanasius School in Evanston. She met her future husband, Charlie, through her sister Nancy. They married in June, 1958.  

Joan was an avid reader, traveler, enthusiast of the arts, and she loved playing tennis. She once competed as a finalist in a championship match at South Shore Country Club.  She enjoyed watching professional tennis with her children and grandchildren, up until the French Open of this year, 2023. 

In her forties, she fell in love with photography. The community DarkRoom in Chicago is where she could be found, developing her latest roll of film.  After taking classes at the Art Institute of Chicago, she secured jobs as a professional photographer with the Chicago Tribune among other publications. Later in her career, she became a photographic artist that included collage, poetry and images; her photographs significantly influenced by artist Andy Warhol.  

As a caring and fierce spirit, Joan gave herself to many causes and championed children from all walks of life. During the “women’s lib” movement Joan bucked the conventions of the Catholic Church, while holding fast and dear to the tenets of service that the church instilled in her.  She put these Catholic principles into practice, welcoming two teenagers to live with her teenage children when they needed a place to live and thrive. That decision benefited her own children, opening their experience of life and how to see a need and respond.  Joan volunteered with WITS, Working in the Schools, an organization tutoring children in the schools near Cabrini Green in Chicago, and La Rabida Children’s Hospital, where she shared her warmth and light with the patients.  

Joan and Charlie designed and built a cottage (lake house) in Union Pier, Michigan so the extended family could be together. Memorable summers were spent there, on the deck, overlooking the lake, admiring infinite sunsets, and enjoying dinners and bonfires.  

Joan demonstrated  resilience, courage and perseverance in her life, but never was it needed more than to survive the loss of her daughter, Jennifer.  Joan and Charlie founded the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Foundation to create awareness of Postpartum Depression and a 24 hour hotline for women suffering from PPD.  May her courage and resilience be an inspiration to all.

Everyone who knew Joan loved her adventurous spirit and wondrous curiosity, especially her grandchildren, who adored their Nana and who will carry her love with them forever: Brandon Houghtaling, Alexandra, Joan, and the late Connor Mudd, Sawyer, Celina, Charlie and Lucinda Lindland, and Grace and Cody Wissemann.

Sister of the late Nancy, Michael and Robert Connery. Fond Aunt and friend to many.

Joan possessed a joy for life, a contagious laugh, a terrific sense of humor and a generous spirit. She was loved and her spirit lives on in her family and friends.  

Visitation 11:00 am followed by Funeral Mass at noon at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 524 9th St., Wilmette Wednesday, August 16th.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to CUREPSP: https://www.psp.org/iwanttolearn/ Corticobasal degeneration, Atypical Parkinson’s Disease. The Mudd Family would like to invite family and friends for a luncheon at Michigan Shores Club, 911 Michigan Ave., Wilmette (5 minutes east of the Church) immediately following the Mass, 1-3:00pm.