Joan “Ruth” Schick Byrne

Joan (Ruth) Schick Byrne passed away quietly on March 16 at the age of 90.Joan lived a long and joyful life – with great passion for her family, the arts, tennis, reading, and education – and of course, the beach. She lived life to the fullest every day, even planning to attend a watercolor class on her last day of life. She cared greatly about her friends, neighbors, and colleagues and always believed in the very best of others.
Family was a primary focus in Joan’s life – especially her husband, and love of her life, Bob (deceased June, 2021), with whom she shared so many wonderful years, and her daughters, Heather and Heidi. She and Bob traveled the world together, danced the waltz, played tennis, made stained glass projects and spent many happy weeks at the beach with the family. Heather and Heidi were the luckiest of children, learning to make the most of life from Joan’s example – whether at school, at the swim meet, at the beach, or at work. Joan loved her grandchildren tremendously – Jori (Melissa), Morgan (Bridget), and Katie and felt so fortunate to get to know her great grandkids (Miles and June) as well. Joan enjoyed coming over for many happy luncheons at Heather and Gary’s (much loved son-in-law) house in her later years, sometimes with her beloved sister Judy (David) and niece, Adar or her sister-in-law Janet (LeRoy). Her loving family circle also included Bob’s brother Bill and his wife Mollie and her nephews, Bryan and Richard as well as Gary’s daughter Erika Lovegreen (Richard) and three step-grandkids, Parker, Ben, and Avery.
Joan was born in 1934 to Raymond and Evelyn Schick. She grew up in the midwest, particularly in the Chicago area. She was an avid learner, and on her own at the age of 17, she pursued a biology degree at the University of Illinois, while working as a research assistant in the labs at the University of Chicago. She met Bob while working at the Museum of Science and Industry – and soon their family grew. They moved to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where her interest in education began – as she taught and directed a pre-school there. When the family moved to Virginia, she got a degree in education from ODU and began her long career with York County Schools as a kindergarten teacher. While teaching, she earned her MEd and PhD at William and Mary and went on to become the principal of Bruton High and director of Elementary Education in YCSD. Joan was a fierce advocate for students and a mentor to many other educators in York County. The big joke at Bruton was, “Don’t send her to any more conferences!” as she brought back yet more ideas to improve the student experience. Joan also taught at William and Mary as adjunct faculty and upon retirement from YCSD, she became the executive director of the Virginia ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development).
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Warwick Forest Assisted Living and Dr. AnnMarie DeFiglio for the care you gave her for so many years; and Riverside Hospice Care and Riverside Home Health for all of the support that you gave her (and our family) at the end of her life. You are wonderful and caring people and we appreciate all that you did for her.
Joan would want all of her friends, neighbors, and colleagues to know how very much she treasured your friendships and valued your thoughts over so many years. She spoke so highly of the people in her life and we are so blessed that you were part of her circle. We hope you will join us in a celebration of her life on Sunday, June 8 at 2 pm at the Freight Shed in Yorktown, VA.