OCEAN VIEW - Joan, "Jonnie", England Hitchens, of Ocean View, formerly of Wilmington, and Sarasota, Fla., passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2018, at Beebe Hospital in Lewes, surrounded by loving family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Clyde M. England; and her parents, Abram P. Stetser and Eleanor G. Stetser.
She is survived by her second husband, Howard B. Hitchens, Jr.; three children, Ellen England Adkins, Clyde S. England, and Pamela England Hauserman; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; her step-daughter, Melissa Hitchens Mulrooney; and her step-grandson, Sean O'Casey Hitchens, Jr.
Jonnie was born in Wilmington. She graduated from P.S. Dupont High School, and attended the University of Delaware. Her professional career as a real estate broker began in the 1960s and flourished with Patterson-Schwartz for thirty years. She was a pioneer and leader, with other women in business, and became an early member of Wilmington Country Club and the University and Whist Club in Wilmington. She was an active member of her beloved P.E.O. Chapter FE in Sarasota, Fla., which is a philanthropic organization celebrating the advancement of women.
Her greatest joy was "sand in her shoes" which she enjoyed in Sarasota, Fla., in the winter and Bethany Beach, in the summer. Her other loves include traveling, dancing, playing with her dog, Lilly, family gatherings of every kind, playing bridge and poker, and socializing with a devoted family of dear friends.
A Celebration of Life for Jonnie will be held on April 7, 2018, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Bay Forest Clubhouse, 36115 Bay Forest Drive in Ocean View.
Condolences may be sent and shared with the family at www.loflandandmcknatt.com, or by contacting Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Avenue, Milford, DE 19963.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations should be sent to the P.E.O. Executive Office, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.