Joan Ayer Rodberg 63, of Charleston, WV passed away peacefully at the Hospice Care facility in CAMC Memorial Hospital on Sunday, December 8, 2024. She was born in Paris, KY on November 7, 1961 to Clarella Settle Ayer and the late Ranny Lee Ayer. Joan grew up on a farm in Calhoun, KY.
Joan graduated from McLean County High School in 1979; the University of Kentucky in 1983; and North Carolina State University in 1988 with a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Joan married Steven Jay Rodberg on July 6, 1985. After their wedding, they lived in Garner, NC while Joan finished her PhD.
In December 1988, Joan and Steve moved to Charleston, WV and started working for Union Carbide. Joan worked as a chemical engineer for 31 years with Union Carbide and later Dow Chemical. Joan was passionate about her work and the people she worked with, creating many lasting friendships over the years. She treasured those she met on her business trips to China, England, and India.
Joan had many hobbies that kept her life full of joy and happiness. In grad school she learned to play bridge and always enjoyed playing with friends. Later in life, she loved playing board games with family and friends, hosting many board game parties over the years (Taboo and Pandemic were her all-time favorites). She especially loved hosting dinner parties for all occasions, creating fellowship among the people she cared for deeply.
Joan loved to travel and see the world. She was always planning her next wonderful adventure. Joan went on many amazing trips with her family (an African safari being among her favorites) and loved traveling with friends. Other hobbies included playing tennis and tending to her garden.
Joan was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in January of 2020. From the moment she was diagnosed, she refused to let the disease control her. Cancer never defined or diminished who she was. Joan was love, laughter, creativity, joy, excitement, and life. She was an absolute treasure and an inspiration to everyone. To know her was to be cared for in a special way that made everyone feel so warm and welcomed. Joan had an incredible gift for creating community, wrapping us all in a sense of belonging and love that was so rare and so special. The world will never be the same.
Joan adored her family, telling everyone she met how proud she was of all of them. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Steven Jay Rodberg, two children and one grandson: Alexander Rodberg (son, Madison, WI) and his partner Kelsey Chofey, Oliver Rodberg (grandson); Brianna Harberg (daughter, Denver, CO) and her husband Anthony Harberg. Her grandson Oliver brought her so much joy over the past two years. She was the most wonderful JoJo!
Joan also cherished her extended family. She is survived by her mother, Clarella Settle Ayer, and three sisters: Eva Ayer (Owensboro, KY); Suzanne Jagoe (Owensboro, KY) and her husband Brad; and Allison Whitmore (Norfolk, VA). Joan is also survived by her sister-in-law and friend Laurie Jamieson (Matthews, NC); her brother-in-law Jamie Rodberg (Raleigh, NC) and his wife Barbara; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her dearly. Joan never met a stranger and has maintained lifelong friendships with people from every stage of her life.
A celebration of Joan’s life will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Christ Church United Methodist of Charleston, WV. Friends may visit with Joan’s family from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday and from 10:00 – 11:00 am on Saturday at Christ Church United Methodist. A reception will be held following the service.
A second celebration of Joan’s life will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at Calhoun Baptist Church of Calhoun, KY. Burial will be in the Calhoun Cemetery in McLean County. Friends may visit with Joan’s family from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Monday and from 9:30 – 10:45 am on Tuesday at Muster Funeral Homes, Calhoun Chapel.
The Joan Rodberg family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Christ Church United Methodist (P.O. Box 884, Charleston, WV 25323) or Cleveland Clinic (give.ccf.org).
Share your memories and photos of Joan at musterfuneralhomes.com.