Joan M. Harrell

Joan Eileen McQuade Harrell, age 78, passed away peacefully at her home in Oviedo on December 28, 2025, following a long battle with cancer. She was born July 4, 1947, in New York, NY. At the age of nine, she moved with her family to Orlando and resided later in Winter Park, Winter Springs, and finally Oviedo.

Joan attended Princeton Elementary School, Robert E. Lee Junior High School, and Edgewater High School and graduated from Winter Park High School in 1965. She went on to earn a BS degree in secondary education with concentrations in English and history from the University of Florida in 1969. Her teaching career was devoted to Oviedo High School where she taught both English courses and American history courses. She retired from Oviedo High School in 2013. Many adults in the area today look back fondly on their classes with “Ms. Harrell” and greatly appreciate not only the academic knowledge she imparted but also the counseling and guidance in life skills she shared with them. Joan also was a long-time member of Oviedo Methodist Church where she was active in the Mary Martha Circle and an enthusiastic supporter of and participant in various church youth programs and activities over many years.

While teaching high school students was her career, her real calling in life was that of mother and grandmother. She rarely if ever missed a school or summer sports game that her two children played in, and the same was true when her grandchildren came along. Moreover, many are the nights the grandchildren spent with “Nana” where they created a multitude of sweet memories that they will treasure for the rest of their lives.

Joan is survived by her daughter Sandy Harrell Hawk of Oviedo, her son Scott Harrell (Alex) of Winter Park, grandchildren Cody Hawk (Rachel), Gentry Hawk, MacKenzie Hawk, Kennedy Hawk, Aiden Harrell, and Kaiden Hughes. She is also survived by her sister Gwen Barber (Gene) of Brunswick, Georgia, niece Debbie Barber of Brunswick, Georgia, nephew Hal Barber (Michelle) of Columbia, South Carolina, two great-nieces and a great-nephew, and two great-great-nieces and two great-great-nephews.

Newcomer Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. A memorial service will be held at Oviedo Methodist Church on Saturday, January 17, at 12:00 noon. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Oviedo Methodist Church.

Arrangements are by Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (Winter Park Chapel).