Obituary of Joan English Farhat

Joan English Farhat was born on May 5, 1941, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Mary Katherine English (nee Erwin) and John Paul English who was a resident physician at the Mayo Clinic. Joan spent her childhood in South Bend, Indiana, where Dr. English began his medical practice following his residency. After graduating from high school and college, Joan moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and began working at the University of Pennsylvania where she met her beloved husband, Nabil H. Farhat, who was a professor in the Moore School of Engineering. They were married on March 8, 1976, and lived happily together in the West Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia until Nabil preceded Joan in death on November 3, 2020. 

Joan was an avid birder sharing this passion with her Aunt Aurelia English Reigner who also lived in Philadelphia. She was a member of many organizations that support the preservation of bird habitats and engage their members in bird watching such as the Cape May Bird Observatory and the National Audubon Society. Joan was also a supporter of environmental causes of all types. She volunteered for many years at the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education and donated to such organizations as the National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy and Friends of the Wissahickon. 

Among her friends and family, Joan was best known for her fun-loving spirit and great sense of humor. She loved to entertain others and was a wonderful cook specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine. Joan made friends easily and cherished each and every one of them, befriending people of all ages, young and old. 

Joan passed away on June 1, 2023, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her brother, John P. English II, and his wife Susan B. English; her sister in law, Malaka Safadi, and brother in law, Amir Farhat; two nephews, Andrew English and Rami Safadi; two nieces, Alice English and Reema Safadi; and two great nephews, Ryyan and Sam Safadi. 

A reception in celebration of Joan's life will be held at 11 am on June 16, 2023, at Lownes Family Funeral Home. A private burial will be held at Ivy Hill Cemetery following the reception.