- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1929
- Date Of Death: May 2, 2014
- State: Florida
Joan Allison-Pearl, 84, of Cocoa Beach, passed away on May 2, 2014. She was born in
Buffalo, New York on November 4, 1929, to Norman Dorsch and Elizabeth Walsh
Dorsch. After high school, she worked for Bell Aircraft in security, tending the vault that
contained secret drawings and documents. At Bell Aircraft, she met an engineer, John
Allison. Two years after they married, in 1953, they moved to Brevard County. Having
grown up in a large city, relocating to rural central Florida was a significant change. She
quickly adapted and enjoyed the community of a small town and the beauty of the
pristine natural environment.
In 1955, Joan and John started a small beach rental business in what is now within the
city limits of Cocoa Beach.
public so that they could enjoy the sand and waters of Cocoa Beach. Joan was a
dedicated businesswoman with high standards, but also fun loving joining in after hours
riding the waves with her employees. She was honored with a Resolution by the Board
public and enhancing the tourist industry in Brevard County.
her for making their day at the beach. She enjoyed greeting people from all over the
world and making their stay in Cocoa Beach enjoyable. Joan met many astronautsʼ
families and other well known personalities over the course of her many years working
on the beach. She especially enjoyed meeting Walter Cronkite and being interviewed
about witnessing the growth of the space program and all the changes that
accompanied it. She always had a great vantage point on the beach to view launches
she worked seasonally on the beach during the 1950ʻs and 1960ʼs. During the fall and
winter, Joan worked for Spencers for Ladies in the White Rose Shopping Center and
later, Henry Harms Fashions in the Baliwick Mall, both in Cocoa Beach. She got great
satisfaction from helping women dress their best. Central Florida continued to grow and
Joan in turn kept her business operating year round after Disney World opened. The
business she and her husband pioneered, 61 years ago, is still operated today by their
daughter.
Joan married William Pearl after her first husband, John, passed away. In Bill, Joan
found happiness and a loving companionship. In Billʼs declining years, Joan was a
dedicated caregiver.
Hard working, generous, sophisticated, dignified, an over all beautiful lady, are phrases
people use to describe Joan. A classy lady, Joan took great care to always look her
best. How she presented herself to the outside world was important to her. She was
kind and helpful and had a soft spot for animals and people who were in need. She
possessed a kind heart and listening ear. Throughout her life, her loyalty and support to
family and friends never waived.
Joan is survived by her daughter Adrianne Allison Dillon, her granddaughter, Danielle
Dillon Munkelt and her spouse Jeremy Munkelt, her sister Noreen Dorsch Potter and
her spouse Frank Potter, her nephews Norman Pionessa and Marshall Potter and her
niecesJackilynSisung, Marilyn Potter, Carolyn Bullard and Elizabeth Sutor.
Wednesday, May 7 at 10:30 am.
Brevard Humane Society or Brevard Rescue Mission.
