Obituary of Joan Scott

Joanmarie Scott, (nee McDermott,) 77, of Elk River MN, entered into Eternal Life on September 21, 2023 surrounded by her family. Joan was born on January 14, 1946 to the late Michael and Dorothy (nee Kelly) McDermott in Chicago, Il.

Preceded in death by her husband Wayne (Duke) Scott. Survived by her sister Rosemary (Terry) Strommer; nieces Janessa Strommer (Aaron, Partner) and Lauren (Kevin) Thomas

. Joan had three great nephews she loved deeply and took on a grandmotherly role; She is survived by her other siblings Michael, Jomo, Dan Marty and Ellen and many other nieces and nephews.

Joan graduated from Longwood (Academy of Our Lady) High School going on to Illinois State University earning a bachelor's degree in  Special Education. Joan went on to get a master’s degree in speech therapy from the University of Illinois, Champagne.  After teaching for a few years in Illinois Joan moved to Minnesota in 1972.  Joan took great pride in being Irish and from the south side of Chicago. She continued teaching until the late 1970’s and then started on a different career in financial planning.  Her passion was to help people save for retirement and higher education for their children.  She went on to earn a law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and passed the bar in 1994.  She combined her law degree with her financial planning drawing up Wills and Trusts for her clients. Shortly after she met Duke she retired in 2007.Joan had a passion for sewing, quilting, baking, biking and traveling. She loved animals and had many dogs in her life.  In the mid 90’s she learned to fly and earned a pilot license. 

Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 29, 2023, from 2-4pm at 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Otsego MN - Rockwoods Restaurant. 

Private interment with her late husband, Duke, in North Dakota. In Lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, National Veterans Foundation or the Humane Society.