Joan "Joannie" Jordan - Obituary

ur beloved mom, Joan B. Jordan—known as “Joannie,” “Do Do,” and “Grandma Joannie” to all—passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026. Joannie was born in Oyster Bay, New York, on April 30, 1935, to John D. Verrilli and Victoria Verrilli. She entered the world as a preemie weighing only 1.5 pounds and was brought home by her father, a doctor, who nursed her back to strength. Joannie lived in Oyster Bay until her senior year of high school, when she moved to Arlington, Virginia, and graduated from Washington Lee High School in 1953. As a young girl, Joannie learned to play the piano at age five and developed a lifelong love of horseback riding. She would often leave school and rush to Schiff’s Stables in Oyster Bay to ride, a passion she carried throughout her life. After high school, she worked at the FBI and CIA, focusing on Soviet Espionage. Joannie kept her Top Secret Clearance a secret forever, honoring her oath. After her time at the CIA, she worked at Colonial Group Insurance, where she met Donald Jordan, Sr. Together, they had four children and lived in Forestville, MD. Despite the challenges of raising the children primarily on her own, Joannie made sure they experienced a childhood full of adventure—fishing, crabbing, clamming, and memorable trips to Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach, where she rented a U Haul trailer with “student driver” taped to the back. She fixed the kids’ fishing rods and cleaned the fish herself, making every outing special and unforgettable. Joannie was also an avid gardener with a notorious green thumb, especially with her beloved Tropicana roses. A woman of strong faith and deep commitment to her community, Joannie served as President of the Neighborhood Watch in Forestville, MD; was a member of the Prince George’s County Police Department Citizens Patrol; volunteered at Andrews Air Force Base through the USO/Operation Yellow Ribbon; and opened her home many times to host an Open House for PG County police officers and firefighters on Thanksgiving day. She will be best remembered for telling her loved ones—and writing in her cards—“Love you top of your head to tip of your toes.” She spoke these words in her final hours. Joannie was blessed with one sister, Vivian Sims of Annapolis, Maryland. She is also survived by her children John Jordan; Michael Jordan Sr. (Sue), and by the mother of his children, Heidi, with grandchildren Valerie, Michael, Matthew, Denny, and great grandchildren Romello, Achilles, and Eliza; Mark Jordan (Michelle) and her grandchildren Autumn, Emma, Mark, Jr., Haidyn, and Gracie; and Donna Reamy (Mark) with grandchildren Jordan, Jacob, and Joseph. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joan's life on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 10:30 am until her memorial service begins at 11 am at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037. Interment private. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Hospice of the Chesapeake for their extraordinary care. A heartfelt thank you to Amy, Stephanie, Shanay, and Jessica. Spending a year with Joannie brought compassion, comfort, and many much needed laughs, which the family will always cherish. A complete obituary will be available soon. You may leave a message or a condolence by using the memories tab on this page.