Joan Emily Adams

Born June 30, 1940, in Washington, DC, Joan Emily Adams was the daughter of the late William Eschinger and Emily Goldsmith. Her father was in the United States Navy and was stationed in Piney Point, MD where he also owned and operated Oakwood Lodge Bar and Restaurant. Joan's teenage years were spent enjoying the picturesque sunrise and sunsets on the beach of the Potomac, dancing to the sound of Elvis, and working at her father's establishment. In school, Joan was an excellent statistician and, furthermore, was described as zestful, enjoyed swimming, roller skating, driving, and going to the movies. In 1958, Joan graduated from St. Mary's Academy Boarding School in Leonardtown, MD. Her many friends, especially the "Ya Ya" sisters, would see each other through their many life journeys continuing long after graduation. Joan moved to Washington, DC as a secretary and by beautiful coincidence she was reintroduced to her best friend, lifelong partner, and truest love of 62 years, the late James Gregory Adams. They married at a small ceremony in Washington, DC and started their family shortly after in a small apartment in Greenbelt, MD. While in Greenbelt, they added two beautiful daughters to their family and would later move to St. Mary's County where their third, and final, daughter was born. Joan dedicated her life to family, community, and friends. She was a beautiful woman with a generous heart. Joan made it her mission to show everybody what it meant to truly live life to the fullest. She was a life member of the Second District Fire Department and Rescue Squad, serving in the Ladies Auxiliary, Rescue Squad and Membership Committee Chair. Joan worked at the Valley Lee Post Office as a Postmaster Assistant for many years. At the age of 38 she returned to school at the St. Mary's County Technical Center to complete the Practical Nursing Program and later achieved an associate’s degree to practice as a registered nurse. She worked at St. Mary's Hospital and later at Calvert Memorial Hospital until she retired at age 70. Joan loved ceramics, crocheting, dancing, decorating cakes, reading, quilting, and traveling with her family. You could always rely on finding her with her nose in a good mystery novel, no matter the time or place. Throughout her life, she spent many summers traveling with the family's camper in tow across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. She was always pursuing her next greatest adventure. Joan especially enjoyed square dancing around the campground caravan fires, exploring the Arizona desert in the winter, and the sunny Myrtle Beach, SC. Many family adventures, parties, and memories were made in Myrtle Beach, where she and Greg took annual vacations in the Spring and Fall. This special place offered sunny days by the sea, smiles and laughter shared with the whole family, many delicious meals, and so much more. Joan is survived by the family she so valued, including her three daughters Debora (David) Miller, Pamela (Michael) Laigle, and Lisa Adams, her granddaughters Angela (Jesse) Dixon, Rebecca (William) Riley-Sullivan, and Emily Quade, and six great grandchildren. She is remembered by all as a strong beautiful woman, once the Princess of the St. Mary's County Fair, a wife, teacher, mother, grandmother, and a friend for all time. We love you and miss you. Thank you for teaching us by example how to love with our whole hearts and live life to the fullest. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM by Rev. John Nguyen in the Funeral Home Chapel at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 22, 2026,in St. George Catholic Church, Valley Lee, MD. Interment will follow in the St. George Catholic Cemetery, Valley Lee, MD. Contributions can be made to the Second district Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, and Hospice of St. Mary’s. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.